Consulting Firm: Fairgrounds better off as mixed-use development

Last night Metro Council held a public hearing on the future of the fairgrounds. I wasn't able to attend but from the sound of it, it was much like other meetings with people both for and against redevelopment harping on the same ol' talking points that make me wonder why I bother to attend these meetings anyway.

Call me cocky (ha!), but when a well paid consulting firm is recommending redevelopment, when even the fair board is practically shrugging their shoulders and saying, "Look, we've done all we can do," and when the director of the fairgrounds himself is saying that it is impractical to maintain the property because, let's face it, that shit is old y'all and too expensive to fix (see article), then I feel pretty confident that all signs are pointing to redevelopment.

*Moment of silence for the Roller Derby*

So, early it may be, but impatient me is ready to move the conversation forward. If the fairgrounds are going away, what will take its place?

I like this editorial from the director of the Mayor's office of Economic and Community Development (quite a title!), Alexia Poe.

"Nashville has also been chosen as one of four cities to participate in the Urban Land Institute's Daniel Rose Fellows program. As a result, we have a variety of experts studying the major corridors surrounding the fairgrounds — Fourth and Eighth Avenues — to recommend ways we can make visual, sustainable and structural improvements. They will be in town the week of Feb. 8 to meet with a number of stakeholders in the immediate area and around Nashville."

This is OUR neighborhood, folks. And as I type this, our city's leaders are meeting with experts on how to best improve our neighborhood. WE are getting THEIR attention! RIGHT NOW!

All you pessimists out there think I'm crazy celebrating this so early in the process. Please allow me to soak in my naivety. It feels good.

I gushed when I read Ms. Poe's article, especially the part where she insinuates that this area has *glee* "potential."

"Change is never easy, and we aren't taking this lightly. The piece of property is significant — from a historic and economic perspective — but it's not meeting its potential. Our goal is to create a place that the neighbors can enjoy, that will provide jobs and that we, as a city, can be proud of. We can disagree on how and even where that should happen, but I think we can all agree we want Nashville to be the best it can be."

Amen, Sister! I really do believe that our city's leaders are acting not just in the best interest of our neighborhood, but in the best interest of this amazing city. I can't wait to see what they come up with.