Proposed 19 Story Westin Hotel on Nashville's Lower Broadway District Raises Concerns

 

 

 

Nashville:   In a neighborhood of three and four story historic buildings that many recognize as the epicenter of  the spirit of Nashville and country music,  a proposal for a 19 story chain hotel has drawn criticism from state and local  preservation professionals and grass-roots supporters, out of town music lovers,   Broadway honktonk owners, TPT, and the National Trust.  While the proposal by the Arkansas-based Barber Group and Sage Hospitality of Denver to build a Westin Hotel involves restoring three historic buildings on Broadway, it would also raze three National Register-eligible buildings.   Because the district is essentially only one block in width,  the extant historic buildings and scale of proposed new development take on an amplified importance.  In a story that ran in the New York Times on November 19, 2006, TPT director Patrick McIntyre noted  "..it sets a terrible precedent that would open the door for any number of projects like this, and eventually what is left of our historic downtown would be destroyed. "  In an effort to satisfy hotel proponents and protect the integrity of the rest of the neighborhood,  Councilman Mike Jameson, in whose district the project would occur,  has proposed a solution. Jameson has stated that his support for the Westin is contingent on the passage of legislation that would enact a historic overlay for those portions of Lower Broadway (excluding the Westin block.)  In a full page ad in the Tennessean on Sunday, February 4th, a vision of the district was depicted with an image of the massive skyscraper.  A significant group of owners of Lower Broadway music venues paid for and signed the ad-- and asked that the Westin block also be subject to the provisions of an overlay.  On February 15, the Metro Historic Zoning Commission passed the overlay, which still must be approved by Council. The Commission also recommended the Westin block  be placed under the overlay if the curent version of the hotel project is disapproved by Council.  In March 2006, the area, included in what is popularly known as The District, was announced by First Lady Laura Bush as one of the first five designated  Preserve America neighborhoods in the country.  In January, TPT staff submited paperwork  to nominate Lower Broadway to the Eleven Most Endangered List of The National Trust. The third and final vote for the hotel is to be taken up by Council on March 20th.  Click here to learn more, including how to voice your opinion.  

TPT Helps Lead Successful Emergency Stabilization of Important Cherokee Farmstead

Ooltewah- In late October and early November, volunteers converged in this quiet corner of Hamilton County to take part in a last-ditch effort to weatherproof and stabilize an important Cherokee-associated farm, the 1830s Chief James Brown House.  Brown was a well-known figure in the Cherokee Nation who led a contingent from Tennessee on the Trail of Tears in 1838.  Funding for the project was accomplished primarily through a grant from the National Park Service to TPT. In addition, Cornerstones contributed $3000, and the National Trust gave $1500.00 from its Intervention Fund.  The Heritage Conservation Network of Boulder, Colorado provided invaluable assistance including publicity and enlisting volunteers. Current and former TPT board members contributed volunteer time and over $800 to the effort as well.  Conservation expert John Scott of the NPS led volunteers over the two week project, which included installation of new roof decking, roll roofing, and some interior bracing as well.   Support from the community was overwhelming, and over 750 volunteer hours were logged during the project.  While it is unclear if the house was built by Brown or by his daughter and son-in-law, the National Register-listed property is considered a significant resource on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.  With the work that was done, the house is considered out of immediate danger. By "buying time" for the property, it is hoped that a long-term plan for the home--including plans for its restoration and future use--will now be developed.  TPT is proud to have been the critical partner organization in Tennessee to make this project possible.

Statewide Preservation Conference and Main Street Summit Coming to Franklin March 29-31

Click here for a downloadable pdf brochure! 

Franklin:  Plans are well underway for the 2007 Statewide Preservation Conference and Main Street Summit in Franklin-- and by downloading the brochure above you can beat the crowd and  sign up now! Conference Co-Chairs Mary Pearce, Shanon Wasielewski, and Rudy Jordan are working hard to put together a fun and first-class event. Scheduled speakers include  renowned land use expert Ed McMahon of the Urban Land Institute in Washington DC and Philip Morris, the former editor-at-large of Southern Progress Corporation, which publishes Southern Accents and Southern Living.   On Friday the 30th, Governor Phil Bredesen will present remarks at the second annual "Preservation Leadership Luncheon," which made its debut last year in Knoxville.   This year's edition is sponsored by the City of Franklin. A kick-off reception will be held Thursday evening at Carnton Plantation, and the Statewide Preservation Awards will be presented Friday evening in conjunction with the annual Rafter Raiser reception and Auction.  Optional field tours include a Thursday overview tour of Franklin and a Saturday excursion to rural Williamson County with lunch in Leiper's Fork.  A special event that will be held in conjunction with  this year's conference will be a rock fence/stone wall repair workshop led by the Dry Stone Conservancy of Lexington, Ky.  Participants can learn valuable masonry skills and help repair part of the wall at the old City Cemetery. Enrollment in the workshop is separate and applications can be downloaded from www.drystone.org.

Union City Ramble and TPT Annual Membership Meeting Make for Festive Fall Day

 

Union City: Over 50 people gathered at Kiwanis Park in downtown Union City October 14th for a delicious barbecue lunch, bluegrass music, and insiders' tour.  The occasion was the 2006 TPT Ramble and Annual Membership Meeting. TPT Board Member Emily T. Elliston served as Ramble Chair, and Mrs. Betty Ann Tanner, wife of U.S. Rep. John Tanner, served as Honorary Chair for the event. Following lunch and entertainment by the Tennessee Hilltoppers Band, TPT members walked to the nearby historic Masquerade Theatre for the Annual Membership Meeting.  From there, they were off by bus to tour various private homes and other buildings in the community.

 

A special thanks goes to Emily Elliston, Judy Taylor, Earnest Daniels, and the many property owners in Union City who showed such great hospitality to TPT.  This was the fifth year that the ramble tour has been associated with the annual meeting, and the first time that TPT has partnered with local groups to raise awareness and funding for local preservation projects.  As a result of dedicated contributions raised during the Ramble, over $2000 in funding was brought in for the restoration of the historic Westover School and the Colored Hotel, listed on the 2006 Ten in Tennessee List.  We are proud to be able to  support such worthy projects.

TPT Briefs

Call for Nominations for 2007 Statewide Preservation Awards

 TPT is currently accepting nominations for the 2007 Statewide Preservation Awards.  The awards will be presented Friday, March 30 at the Christ Community Church in downtown Franklin.  Award nominations may be made in the following categories:  Legislative/Public Awards; Preservation Achievement; Restoration; Board Award; New Construction/Infill; and Lifetime Achievement.   Applications should be postmarked by March 5th.  Click here for the awards application.

 

Applications Sought  for "Ten in Tennessee" Most Endangered List

Do you know of a threatened historic building or site in your community in need of publicity to help save it? Nominate it to the "Ten in Tennessee" list! Since 2001, TPT has listed 50 historic sites to the list, and only three have been lost.

Applications should be postmarked by April 28th.

Click here for the Endangered List application.

 

Knoxville to Host National Trust Meeting

In April, Knoxville will host non-profit preservation staff and board members from around the country for the annual National Trust Statewide and Local Partners Meeting. This meeting is held in a different city each year, and it this the first time it has come to Tennessee.  Visitors will be hosted by Knox Heritage, which has received national acclaim for its effectiveness as a model local preservation non-profit.  Planned activities include tours of KH projects. TPT is the Trust's official Statewide Partner, and  Knox Heritage and the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County are the Trust's current Local Partners in Tennessee.

 

Dates to Remember

 

TPT Board of Directors Meeting March 29 Franklin

Tennessee Statewide Preservation Conference and Main Street Summit March 29-31 Franklin

National Preservation Conference, Minneapolis October 2-6, 2007