Nashville has become one of the nation's fastest growing cities, and some of that development has made its way to Jefferson Street.
Nathaniel Harris has owned Woodcuts Gallery & framing for 28 years. He says friends thought it would never work. "People thought I was crazy when I told them I was going to open a frame shop on Jefferson Street," said Harris.
Since he opened he said not too many others followed suit. "There have been other businesses to come, but I wish there were more," Harris said.
His wish has slowly begun to take shape with the groundbreaking of two new apartment complexes and he's excited about it.
The latest groundbreaking happened Friday for 1821 Jefferson. It's an 18 unit apartment complex with three-thousand square feet of retail space. It's supposed to cater to college students and people who work in the area.
However, could a growth boom also mean higher taxes and rent rates for longtime residents? Developer DJ Wootson said no. "I don't see gentrification as pushing people out," he said. "There's a such thing as raising people up."
Harris said it was a win win for everyone. "It will create more jobs and therefore more people will be able to afford to stay in the area," he said.
An area Wootson said has been long forgotten. "It's very important and very necessary when you consider all the other parts of town that are redeveloping and have access to living, access to good eating and access to life and vibrancy,' said Wootson.
Harris agreed and had high hopes for a Jefferson Street comeback. "There used to be different jazz clubs in the area, so there's no reason that can't happen again,' he said. "I think Jefferson Street would be a natural for tourism."
The 1821 Jefferson project should be completed sometime this September.
