NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On the row that made country music famous, lately, it's more of a roar.
You can find constant construction on Nashville's historic Music Row — as high rises go up and other longstanding landmarks come down.
"We’re losing Music Row, Music Row is dying in that regard," said Charlotte Ladd, a Music Row resident.
That's why Ladd is so concerned with the latest construction proposal. Houses at 1029, 1031, 1101, 1103, 1105 and 1107 17th Avenue S. have all been purchased and are slated for demolition.
According to documents on Metro's website, St. Louis-based developer Ridgehouse Capital wants to build a seven-story apartment complex, featuring 196 apartments, an underground parking deck and a swimming pool.
"It’s really ugly," said Ladd, as she looks at the rendering. "I just weep for Music Row."
For all of that to fit into this development, Ridgehouse has asked the Metro Board of Zoning Appeals to give them a waiver to extend the structure beyond the current easement of 20 feet, to about 5 feet from the back alley behind 17th Avenue S.
As a row resident, Ladd is worried it'll make this already narrow back alley even more dangerous.
"We would have this much leeway to get the heck out of the way if someone is coming from another direction. Like an ambulance, or like a garbage truck, or like your neighbor, or like 196 new neighbors," said Ladd.
Ridgehouse Capital has applied to get a waiver for that easement and is still awaiting a ruling from the Metro Board of Zoning Appeals.
In Charlotte's mind, the greater danger is losing the rich character that defines Music Row. "Surely there must be some way to preserve the character of this neighborhood, because it’s really, it’s wonderful and it’s disappearing and we’ll never get it back," she said.
Ladd and her husband are considering hiring an attorney to see if there's a legal way they can stop this project. They're also urging their neighbors to reach out to their Metro Councilmembers.
Ridgehouse Capital sent NewsChannel 5 this statement about the project:
“As a community focused developer, Ridgehouse appreciates the rich history of this neighborhood and the long-term residents that are still here. That is why our plans for 17th Avenue South work within the existing zoning that has been in place for almost twenty-five years.
We firmly believe that the homes we build here will honor that history and be a compliment to the community. It is our hope that these homes will house Nashville’s next generation of creatives and hit makers.”
