East Bank Of The Cumberland River Findings and Recomendations by Civic Design Center

Nashville Civic Design Center

EAST BANK OF THE

CUMBERLAND RIVER FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 2002

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The work represented in this document was done at the request of ReDiscover East! The work was produced by the Nashville Civic Design Center in cooperation with the greater Nashville community. The design staff of the Civic Design Center during the study were: Mark M. Schimmenti, Design Director; John Houghton, Executive Director; Gary Gaston, Design Assistant; and the design interns Andrea Gaffney and Jason Hill. Judy Steele of the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency and Randall Hutchenson of the Metro Planning Department contributed significantly to the report. We would like to express our gratitude to the community members for the time and effort they put into this process. Questions and comments may be directed to:

Site Overview Executive Summary Recommendations Historic Overview History of the East Bank Comparison of Figure Grounds Comparison of Aerial Photographs Community Visioning Urban Design Forum Site Studies Case Studies A Case for Housing on the East Bank Rossâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Landing, Chattanooga Street Improvements Edge Conditions Gateway Bridges Previous Studies of the East Bank Recommendations Linkages Mobility Land Use Recommendation A Recommendation B Perspectives of the East Bank

East Bank Study Nashville Civic Design Center 700 Church Street, Suite 102 Nashville, Tennessee 37203 (615) 248-4280 voice (615) 248-4282 fax info@civicdesigncenter.org www.civicdesigncenter.org

The Nashville Civic Design Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation with funding from The Frist Foundation, The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, The University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt University.

ÂŠ2002 Nashville Civic Design Center Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 2

3 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 24 28 30 32

SITE OVERVIEW

Aerial Photograph with East Bank Study Area, Nashville 2000

TITANS COLISEUM AND PARKING

INTERSTATE 24

SHELBY STREET BRIDGE GATEWAY BRIDGE CUMBERLAND RIVER

Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

At the request of Rediscover East! the Nashville Civic Design Center conducted a study of the linkages between the residential areas of East Nashville to the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge and the impact of the new Gateway Bridge. The Gateway Bridge design calls for a boulevard to be constructed on the west approach; however a similar design has not been proposed for the east approach. Public meetings were held at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, a walking tour of the site was organized, and an Urban Design Forum was dedicated to the issue. Present at these meetings were concerned citizens, Metro Officials, Metro Staff and Civic Design Center Staff. During this process the citizens expressed the following concerns:

2. The aesthetics of the area are devoid of character and lacking in human scale. Many participants pointed out that on the opposite side of the river the same road, called Gateway, will be constructed to Boulevard standards. They questioned why the design standards are not the same on the east side of the river if the use does not change. They also pointed out that these issues are even more pressing when one considers the “Gateway” concept. Our studies found: • As currently planned, the aesthetics of the area will be that of a highway devoid of character and lacking in human scale. • Concepts and designs applied to Gateway Boulevard are not carried over to the east side of the river.

1. The extension of the Gateway Bridge into Shelby Street will be hostile to pedestrians and bicyclists and this condition will prevent safe and convenient access to the pedestrian bridge. Our studies found: • The design of Shelby Street between the Gateway Bridge and South 4th Street is that of a highway not a city street. The use of sweeping curves, large radii curbs at intersections, dedicated turn lanes, frequent cuts over pedestrian paths, the lack of curb side parking and overly wide lanes will prevent safe and convenient access to the Shelby Street Bridge. • The intersections of Shelby Street between Interstate Drive and South 4th Street, in combination with the Interstate overpass and the geometry, location, and number of access ramps also prevent safe and convenient access to the Shelby Street Bridge.

• The Gateway concept, i.e., the celebration of one’s arrival in Nashville, is diminished through the study area. 3. The future of the area between the Interstate and the river was not known. Many felt that a study should be conducted to establish the appropriate architecture, urban character and land uses for the future development of the area. Our studies found: • Except for one master plan from 1990, updated in 1994, the site has been not been studied formally.

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4. It was expressed that if a large project such as an amusement park, a convention center, or a baseball stadium were to be sited in the area, it should be done as an enhancement to the area, making it more user friendly. The participants said that a stand-alone project such as the football stadium was not acceptable. Our studies found: • The site has been mentioned for large standalone projects that would benefit from the accessibility of the site but there has been no formal commitment to locate anything to that place. 5. The participants expressed puzzlement over what was referred to as the “lane logic” of a road that starts as four lanes of boulevard on the west bank expands to seven on the bridge and maintains this section through the east bank and over the Interstate where it necks down to 4 lanes. Our studies found: • The street lacks consistency over its short eight-block life.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS: Schematic Diagram (below) showing issues uncovered during the community visioning process.

After conducting public input and consulting with MDHA, Metro Public Works, the Mayor’s Office, transportation engineers, and Metro PlanningDeparment, the Nashville Civic Design Center makes the following recommendations:

2. The Interstate Bridge should be modified to better link the East Bank neighborhoods across the Interstate Highway. These modifications should include, but are not limited to:

1. Shelby Street, from the Gateway Bridge east to the Interstate Bridge, should be modified to match the design of Gateway Boulevard on the west side of the river. Specific modifications to this section of the road are:

• The removal of the redundant access ramp on the northeast corner. • Replacement of chain link and barbed wire fencing with more aesthetically pleasing barriers.

• The realignment of intersections to create shorter pedestrian crossings.

• A buffer between sidewalks and travel lanes with an aesthetically pleasing barrier.

• The removal of redundant curb cuts across the pedestrian right-of-way.

• Lighting of the sidewalks to pedestrian scale standards.

• The introduction of on-street parking and pedestrian bulbs.

• Consideration of a median on the bridge.

• The introduction of a planted median. • The introduction of lighting and landscape improvements to raise the quality of the pedestrian and vehicular experience and to better fit the “Gateway” concept. • The incorporation of bicycle access to the Shelby Street Bridge should be built into the above modifications.

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3. Thefuture of the area south of Shelby Street between the river and the Interstate should be planned for a more suitable use; it could become a new neighborhood or district. 4. A public transportation loop connecting the downtown with East Nashville should be considered. It should run frequently in both directions in a simple loop with as few stops as possible. 5. Further transportation studies should be conducted for traffic exiting Gateway heading north to Ellington Parkway to minimize neighborhood impact and mazimize connections that could improve access.

HISTORIC OVERVIEW HISTORY OF THE EAST BANK Nashville in the 1880s, East Bank is shown in lower right hand corner

The East Bank of the Cumberland River has been a site of production since before the founding of Nashville. Initially developed as farmland, the East Bank has experienced a dynamic evolution. Originally, only accessible by ferries, East Nashville’s growth was greatly affected by the opening of several bridges in the mid 1800s. But even as East Nashville became a choice location for Nashvillians wanting to escape a crowded and dirty downtown, the East Bank never really became a prime residential site. Its low-lying geography made it prone to flooding, which kept homes from being built along the river’s edge. The East Bank’s adjacency to the Cumberland River did lead to its importance in river commerce and industrial production. With ease of access to river transport, railroad lines, and the later interstate system, the area was a well connected center of industrial activity. In the early 1990s, as cities began to rediscover the civic value of their riverfronts, the East Bank became more attractive to development. In 1996 a large portion of the East Bank area was acquired as a site for a new football stadium. The industrial buildings were razed and construction of the Titan’s Coliseum was completed in 1999. The conversion of the Shelby Street Bridge from automobile to pedestrian and the construction of the Gateway Bridge are the newest additions to the East Bank. As these two new connections near completion, attention has now turned to the southern portion of the area. As the only remaining land still devoted to industry, the potentials of this site are now beginning to be explored. One of the first references to the East Bank coincides with the founding of Nashville. On Christmas Day, 1779, James Robertson left the East Bank, crossed the frozen Cumberland river with fellow settlers and livestock, and established Fort Nashborough. Today, little evidence is left to remind us of what the East Bank looked like in 1779. After Robertson’s crossing, the area began to evolve from open land into an indus-

trial riverfront area. The 1908 Figure Ground Map (page 9) shows a large number of single family homes in the area now occupied by the Coliseum and Interstate 24. Also indicated on the map is the beginning of industrial development on the southern portion of the East Bank.

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After the establishment of the East Bank as an area for production and river commerce, there were several defining events that helped shape the East Bank as we see it today. As shown in the 1908 Figure Ground Map (page 9) the residential area stretched towards the river all the way to 2nd Street. It is suspected that the area southeast of the Shelby Street Bridge, along

HISTORIC OVERVIEW HISTORY

OF THE

EAST BANK Fire 1916 Flood 1926 Tornado 1933/1998

the riverfront, was never developed for residential use due to its low-lying nature. (One of the main streets was called Pond Street.) Before the Tennessee Corps of Engineers’ dams were built, the Cumberland River flooded on a regular basis making this and other lowlying areas impossible to permanently inhabit. One of the first major events that shaped the development of East Nashville and the East Bank was the Great Fire of 1916. It swept across twenty blocks burning down a significant portion of the historic structures in East Nashville. One life and 648 buildings were lost before the blaze was brought under control. Although the neighborhood, as a whole, recovered from the fire, one has to wonder if the destruction caused by the fire led to a division of the neighborhood on either side of its path. Another major event occurred on Christmas Day, 1926. This day marked the beginning of an immense flood that submerged the entire East Bank area. The waters did not begin to recede until after the New Year. This flood reinforced the river’s control over the lower East Bank area, further removing it from residential development. In 1933, a tornado touched down along South 2nd Street and Woodland Streets, causing serious damage to the buildings in the area. Several other factors that led to the eventual decline of the East Bank residential area are worth mentioning; for example the rising popularity of the West Nashville suburbs which was due to the advent of the automobile, and the tendency of younger residents to move away from the areas in which they grew up. Jumping into the late twentieth century, the 1998 tornado’s devastation followed a similar path as the 1933 tornado. Homes, businesses, churches, and grand trees were all lost. (Miraculously there were no deaths.) In the aftermath of the destruction, the neighbor-

hood, as a whole, banded together and used the tornado as a catalyst for another wave of renewed interest in East Nashville. Since then, with the help of Rediscover East!, the Tornado Recovery Board, R/UDAT (Regional Urban Design Assistance Team), and Releaf Nashville, the area has repositioned itself as a residential neighborhood of choice for many Nashvillians.

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While the previously described events were natural disasters, the following events are man-made and caused the most significant changes in the development of the East Bank. In the 1950s the governmental program known as Urban Renewal was initiated in East Nashville with the goal of cleaning up the downtown by tearing down “blighted” areas and rebuilding with modern housing.

HISTORIC OVERVIEW HISTORY

OF THE

EAST BANK Urban Renewal 1950s Interstate I-24 1960s Titan’s Coliseum 1999

This inevitably destroyed much of the individual owner-occupied homes and led to vast areas of multifamily public housing. The resulting banality of these developments, along with poor urban design practices, contributed to a growth in crime and led to the phenomenon commonly referred to as “suburban flight”, (relocation from the city to the suburbs.) This is an important fact because it typically involves only those residents who can afford to do so. The neighborhoods left behind suffered from a general loss of both financial and ethnic diversity. The problems of Urban Renewal were compounded in the 1960s by the interstate system. As an already weakened neighborhood, due to suburban flight and urban renewal, East Nashville could do little to halt the interstate progress. The path for the interstate cut through East Nashville, resulting in the eventual loss of the residential neighborhood to the west of 5th Street. The barrier it created between the East Bank and the rest of East Nashville, isolated the East Bank and enabled heavy industry to wipe out the remaining residences in the area. As a result, the East Bank turned into a heavily polluted eyesore. East Nashville saw a revival in the 1970s when people “rediscovered” the area and began saving many of the historical buildings. Edgefield was the first neighborhood in Nashville to be declared historically significant. This, along with the founding of numerous neighborhood organizations, helped to push revitalization efforts in East Nashville. The tornado of 1998, while causing major damage, also provided a catalyst for another wave of renewed interest in the area. The final event that played a prominent role in the development of the East Bank was the construction of the Tennessee Titans’ Coliseum. In the mid 1990s, a decision was made to bring a professional football team to Nashville. The East Bank was chosen as the

site due to its proximity to downtown Nashville and the numerous pre-existing interstate exits. Approximately 90 acres were acquired and cleared for the stadium and parking. Although improvements were made to the waterfront area and the industrial waste was contained, this study of the East Bank found that the stadium is not considered a pedestrian-friendly development or a benefit to the area. Furthermore, no

Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 8

development plans for the area south of the stadium were considered by the city .

HISTORIC OVERVIEW COMPARISON

FIGURE GROUND MAPS

East Bank Figure Ground 1908

1908

East Bank Figure Ground 1996

1996

• Large residential development extends as far west as South 2nd Street. • Street grid continuous through entire site. • Railroad lines along river’s edge. • Industry developing along southern portion of the site.

Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 9

• Former residential neighborhood no longer exists, replaced by industry. • Public housing borders Interstate I-24. • Street grid disrupted by interstate. • Heavy industry between river and interstate.

East Bank Figure Ground 2002

2002 • Industrial site cleared for new football stadium. • Street grid further disrupted by massive parking lot. • Park / Greenway created along riverfront at stadium. • Beginnings of new Shelby Street (Gateway Boulevard) can be seen.

HISTORIC OVERVIEW COMPARISON

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS

East Bank, 1959

East Bank, 2000

East Bank, 1970

URBAN RENEWAL

THE INTERSTATE

THE STADIUM

By the time this 1959 aerial photo was taken Urban Renewal had already made considerable changes to the urban fabric of East Nashville. The large blocks of public housing projects disrupted the network of streets through closings and rerouting. This process alienated many parts of the community and made access difficult and less intuitive. This in turn, led to the alienation of residents and the beginning of a downturn in the overall feeling of the neighborhood.

Although Urban Renewal had significantly damaging results to East Nashvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neighborhoods, the results of the interstate system are far more evident. Cutting a swath directly through a residential area, the interstate became a substantial barrier between the East Bank and the rest of East Nashville. By 1970, (above) the East Bank has become completely industrial, with weak linkages to East Nashville.

The construction of the football stadium completely changed the character between Woodland and Shelby Streets. The industrial uses were removed and the stadium and its parking inserted. A new juvenile justice center was built just north of the stadium. During the community visioning process many expressed disappointment that the development of the stadium and the justice center did little to upgrade the quality of the area for use by residents. They pointed out that these developments were a missed opportunity on many levels.

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COMMUNITY VISIONING URBAN DESIGN FORUM

Nashville Urban Design Forum, June 20, 2002

The June meeting of the Urban Design Forum was dedicated to the East Bank. Forum members and other interested parties worked in groups. During the process, pedestrian and bicycle linkages were emphasized. Every group expressed a desire to redefine the area south of the Coliseum between the river and the Interstate highway.

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Common to all of the break-out groups was the proposal of a mixed-use neighborhood for the area. Features of the neighborhood included a park along the riverfront that incorporated the Greenway, a marina, restoration of the network of two-way streets, commercial, institutional and residential uses, and a new ball park. A composite of the group studies is on page 28.

COMMUNITY VISIONING SITE STUDIES

This composite diagram illustrates issues put forth in the first meeting at Saint Annâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Episcopal Church April 24, 2002. Diagram

Linkages over the Cumberland with vehicular and pedestrian components.

Areas to be redeveloped as new neighborhoods.

Pedestrian/Automobile conflicts. Shelby Street pedestrian bridge.

Areas to be redeveloped as new neighborhoods.

Greenway and riverside park.

Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 12

COMMUNITY VISIONING SITE STUDIES Existing Streetscape (top) Proposed Streetscape (bottom)

S. 5TH ST.

S. 4TH ST.

INTERSTATE DR.

I-24

RID

AY EW AT

SHELBY AVENUE

ON/EXIT RAMPS

Above: Areas hostile to pedestrians and cyclists in red, solid lines along Shelby indicate positive pedestrian experience, dotted lines along Shelby indicate negative pedestrian experience.

Below: Streetscape of Shelby Street on the East Bank if it were detailed to the same standards as Gateway Boulevard on the West side.

I-24 BY

SHEL

STRE

E BRIDG E

AY EW T A

Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 13

ON/EXIT RAMPS

S. 5TH ST.

S. 4TH ST.

INTERSTATE DR. SHELBY AVENUE

CASE STUDIES A CASE FOR HOUSING

ON THE

EAST BANK

Mission Bay Proposal, San Francisco

With a growing interest in reconnecting the city to the Cumberland River, the East Bank presents itself as an excellent site for developing a waterfront community. Listed below are several points of development for the East Bank of the Cumberland. • The historical problem of flooding that kept the original platting from being residentially developed has been largely eradicated with the implementation of the Corps of Engineers’ dams. • The imminent opening of the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge provides access that could be greatly expanded upon by having a neighborhood adjacent to the bridge. • The Greenways project is planned to extend from downtown, over the Shelby Street Bridge and continue along the riverfront to Shelby Bottoms. A neighborhood adjacent to the greenway, between the bridge and Shelby Bottoms, would be an asset to the usage and upkeep of that section of the Greenway. • The East Bank offers a viable site for a marina, which would allow recreational boaters easy access to football games and the downtown entertainment district, via the Shelby Street pedestrian bridge. • From a development viewpoint, the East Bank has the advantage of being in a Brownfield Tax Incentive Zone which allows for federal funding to assist with cleanup and development costs. • The proximity of the area to the downtown, the river, the interstate, and greenway would be beneficial in creating a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly, well connected neighborhood.

Mission Bay (above) by EDAW and ELS, proposed the redevelopment of a large industrial site along the San Francisco Bay waterfront. It builds upon the city’s pattern of blocks, rowhouses, neighborhood commercial streets, and park spaces to create a community that is well integrated into the city as a whole, but also contains a distinct “neighborhood” feel.

Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 14

Harbor Point, Boston

Harbor Point (left) by Skidmore Owings and Merrill, was an abandoned public housing project which was converted to mixed-income housing. Infill rowhouses and a new street network created a better relationship between buildings, streets, and public spaces.

Image Source: The New Urbanism: Towards an Architecture of Community by Peter Katz

CASE STUDIES ROSS’S LANDING, CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE

Rendering of Ross’s Landing, Chattanooga, TN

Existing Conditions of Ross’s Landing

Bird’s eyeview illustration of Ross’s Landing

The City of Chattanooga has followed a vision for the past twenty years to recapture its waterfront. The rendering above and the aerial view to the far right show how the latest phase of work will continue to bring the waterfront of the Tennessee River into the collective “living room” of the city. To the right is a contemporary aerial view of the river and improvements to date.

Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 15

Image Source: Chattanooga Planning and Design Studio

CASE STUDIES STREET IMPROVEMENTS

The intersection of South5th Street and Shelby Avenue, Nashville

Urban Boulevard, Portland, Oregon

Shelby Street, between South 4th and South 11th streets, has sufficient right-ofway to become a place of civic pride. The simple introduction of a planted median can greatly improve both the aesthetic feel and safety of the street. Other easy additions are brick pavers located at all crosswalk intersections. These changes help slow traffic, which makes crossing the street less dangerous, especially for children and the elderly.

The urban boulevard (above) in Portland, Oregon shows an example of how a planted median and brick-paved crosswalks have been successfully implemented.

Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 16

Image Source: Nashville Downtown Transportation Plan, August 2000.

CASE STUDIES EDGE CONDITIONS - PITTSBURGH RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT

East Bank Riverfront, Nashville

Riverfront development, Pittsburgh, PA

EAST BANK RIVERFRONT IMPROVEMENTS Pittsburgh, PA offers a good example of an active riverfront. The image (right) suggests an idea of what Nashvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s riverfront could look like along the East Bank. Riverfront living units would overlook downtown and have easy access to the greenway and bike path. The Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge could also be easily reached, and would make a trip downtown into a short walking or biking excursion.

Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 17

Image Source: City of Pittsburgh http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/ed/riverfront.html

CASE STUDIES EDGE CONDITIONS - CENTRAL RIVERFRONT PARK

Cincinnati’s Central Riverfront Park Proposal-Aerial Rendering

Cincinnati’s Riverfront Park Proposal-Perspective Rendering

Cincinnati’s Riverfront Park Proposal-Plan

The proposed 46-acre Central Riverfront Park is the culmination of Cincinnati’s return to its roots, the Ohio River. Through the creation of a grand green space downtown, the park will provide a dynamic foreground for two professional sports venues, the proposed National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and other new developments. Ultimately, the riverfront will be the centerpiece of an urban park system that celebrates the river as Cincinnati’s greatest natural resource and historic attribute. It will be a magnificent gateway to the city.

Sponsored by the Cincinnati Park Board, Cincinnati Recreation Commission, and the Department of Public Works, the project is focused on three main goals: one, create a grand civic space open to the public; two, offer pedestrians river accessibility both visually and physically; and three, set aside specific areas to accommodate events and festivals.

Through a series of public forums and focus groups involving community representatives and neighboring businesses, the features of the proposed riverfront park have been determined and laid out. These plans were developed and simultaneously compared with the park’s end goals to ensure the alignment of ideas. There will be a six-acre great lawn stretching to the river’s edge with lush green space that can be used for informal recreation, such as frisbee or picnicking. To properly support large events, a six-acre festival area will be landscaped with several trees for shading and will have areas specially paved for high-volume traffic. An interactive fountain, bike path, carousel, and piers overlooking the river will also add to the atmosphere of the park.

Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 18

Source: Urban Design Master Plan by Hargreaves Associates http://www.cinci-parks.org/riverfront/

CASE STUDIES GATEWAY BRIDGES - FORT WASHINGTON WAY

Rendering, Fort Washington Way, Cincinnati, Ohio

Bridge Under Construction, Fort Washington Way

The success of the Fort Washington Way project is relevant to the East Bank where the Interstate divides the East Bank and East Nashville, separating the waterfront from the rest of the East side. Cincinnati planners explain the design process below:

Both Second and Third streets will be completely reconstructed as part of the project and lined with trees. New, safer light fixtures, planters and park benches will be added to enhance the overall aesthetics of downtown. The new FWW features Gateway bridges that will welcome both travelers and commuters with unique urban design features such as cantilevered, high-intensity, low-cost and low-maintenance streetlights. These innovative and unique lighting features will safely illuminate the roadway as well as pedestrian and bicycle paths to the new riverfront parks, Paul Brown Stadium and the new Reds ballpark.

"The new Fort Washington Way will not only improve traffic flow and safety, it will also reconnect downtown with its riverfront," said Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken. The new FWW also will enhance the architectural fabric of downtown Cincinnati. "Designers and urban planners examined every minute detail of the project, from the texture of the concrete to the color of the bridges," said Alex Krieger, Dean of the Harvard School of Architecture and principal at Chan, Krieger Associates in Cambridge, Mass. "The decorative paving and bricks will be used to provide texture, color and character to the new bridges, as well as the new Second and Third streets.

Interstate 24 West at the Shelby Avenue on-ramp

INTERSTATE BRIDGE The interstate overpass at Shelby Street could be improved visually by the addition of architectural elements similar to the ones used in the images above. This commonly used bridge type is greatly improved by the addition of two towers with cables, which give it a distinctive look. This idea could be used to signify the exit from I-24 as an entrance into East Nashville and the East Bank, and as an element along the extension of Gateway Boulevard.

"It is our hope that the new Fort Washington Way will be the spark to spur key developments in Cincinnati, including additional retail and public parking facilities," said John F. Shirey, Cincinnati City Manager. "This reconstruction project will stand as a benchmark for other communities around the country, an ideal to strive for through innovation and ingenuity," said Shirey.

Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 19

Source: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Connection to the Futureâ&#x20AC;? January 2000 http://www.fww2000.com

CASE STUDIES PREVIOUS STUDIES

EAST BANK 1990 East Nashville River Development Study, Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon

EAST NASHVILLE RIVER DEVELOPMENT STUDY This proposal, done for the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) by Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon in 1990, focused on the area now occupied by the Titanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coliseum. The boundaries were Main Street (James Robertson Parkway) on the north, Shelby Street on the south, I-24 on the east, and the Cumberland River on the west. Although urban design practices have changed since this plan was designed, note the inclusion of boulevards, a marina and a variety of uses.

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RECOMMENDATIONS LINKAGES

Linkages Composite Proposal Diagram / Overview

enlargement page 23 enlargement page 22

CU MB ER LA ND

R IV ER

enlargement page 23 Key for Linkages Diagram Shared Vehicular / Bicycle Lane Alternate Intersection Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 21

NORTH

RECOMMENDATIONS LINKAGES

BRIDG

W AY

AT E

B S HEL

Linkages Composite Proposal Diagram

Current TDOT Street Configuration

Another Alternate Intersection Proposal

Intersections of streets and on/off ramps should be changed to more traditional right angle intersections with curve radii of 18â&#x20AC;&#x2122; or less.

Key for Linkages Diagram Shared Vehicular / Bicycle Lane Alternate Intersection Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 22

NORTH

RECOMMENDATIONS LINKAGES

Linkages Composite Proposal Diagram

S. 5TH ST.

S. 4TH ST.

INTERSTATE DR.

EXXON

SHELBY AVENUE

I-24 ON/EXIT RAMPS

ON/EXIT RAMPS

• Intersections of streets and on/off ramps changed to more traditional right angle intersections with curve radii of 18’ or less. • Removal of curb cuts along Shelby at gas station Current street and intersection configuration with curving Interstate on/off ramps

2ND AVE. S.

SHELBY AVENUE

3RD AVE. S.

S. 4TH ST.

INTERSTATE DR.

EXXON

Gateway Boulevard on West Side of the Cumberland River will be built to these standards. (below)

• Removal of redundant on-ramp to interstate • Addition of median

I-24 ON/EXIT RAMPS

ON/EXIT RAMPS

Key for Linkages Diagram Shared Vehicular / Bicycle Lane Alternate Intersection

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NORTH

RECOMMENDATIONS MOBILITY

Mobility Proposal Diagram / Overview

The diagram to the right shows possible linkages between East Nashville and the downtown. • A public transportation loop connects the downtown and East Nashville. This proposed route runs down 4th Avenue South, across the Shelby Street Bridge, then continues east on Shelby Avenue turning North on either 5th or 11th streets and finally returns to the west over the Woodland Street Bridge. • Locate a pedestrian bridge over the interstate as an extension of Russell Street. • Develop a stronger, more direct, path for pedestrians and cyclists on Shelby Avenue to the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge and the Greenway.

Key for Mobility Diagram Pedestrian

○ ○ ○ ○

Trolley Route Trolley Stops Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 24

NORTH

RECOMMENDATIONS MOBILITY

Mobility Diagram Proposal/ Overview

enlargement page 26

Key for Mobility Diagram Pedestrian

○ ○ ○ ○

Trolley Route Trolley Stops Modified Streets Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 25

NORTH

RECOMMENDATIONS MOBILITY

Linkages Proposal Diagram

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

SHELBY AVENUE

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

I-24 ON/EXIT RAMPS

S. 5TH STREET

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

S.4TH STREET

INTERSTATE DR.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Trolley Line loop to 10th Street

ON/EXIT RAMPS

Key for Mobility Diagram Pedestrian

○ ○ ○ ○

Trolley Route Trolley Stops Modified Streets

NORTH Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 26

RECOMMENDATIONS MOBILITY

Key for Bridge Section / Plan Direction of Traffic Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 27

planter

bike lane

planter

Shelby Avenue Bridge over Interstate I-24/65

Modifications to the Shelby Interstate Bridge should make pedestrians more secure and provide a significant civic transition into the city. The above suggestion buffers the pedestrians with a barrier that carries human scale lighting for the sidewalk. All chain-link type fencing should be replaced with aesthetically superior barriers. Although not shown in this drawing, a planted median in the bridge could be beneficial.

LAND USE RECOMMENDATION A Land Use Recommendation A / Overview

This land use drawing represents a composite of the five designs suggested by the break out study groups at the June Urban Design Forum. This scheme represents approximately the following uses:

100 acres total area Residential 400 apartments @ 1200 sf/unit (2-3 stories) 290 apartments @ 800 sf/unit (5 stories) Mixed Use (1-3 stories) 230, 000 sf retail 230, 000 sf commercial 188 apartments @1200 sf/unit Public Use 100, 000 sf educational/civic space 75, 000 sf transportation facility 20 acres parks 11 acres recreational space-baseball park

Key for Land Use Recommendation A Parks Entertainment / Recreation Educational, Public or Civic Institutions General Sales or Services / Mixed Use Residential / Accommodation Transportation Related Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 28

NORTH

LAND USE RECOMMENDATION A

Land Use Recommendation A

• Baseball stadium becomes figurative centerpiece of neighborhood. • Large centrally located park framed by two public / civic institutions create the feeling of a “town square.” • Buffer zone of trees separates neighborhood from interstate. • Large riverfront promenade / park incorporates greenways . • Neighborhood is a transportation hub, linking commuter rail, water taxi, automobile, bicycle, and foot traffic. • Variety of mixed use / residential / public spaces. • Creation of a marina on the waterfront between Gateway and Shelby Street Bridges.

NORTH

LAND USE RECOMMENDATION B

Land Use Recommendation B / Overview

This land use drawing represents the programmatic elements and other issues uncovered during the investigation. This neighborhood exists without a large scale project in its program. The uses are:

100 acres total area Residential 284 apartments @ 1200 sf/unit 125 townhouses @ 2200 sf/unit 300 resident apartments @ 800 sf/unit 135 hotel rooms @ 400 sf/unit Mixed Use (1-3 stories) 240, 000 sf commercial/retail 206, 000 sf office space 170 apartments @1200 sf/unit Public Use 300, 000 sf educational/civic uses 105, 000 sf transportation/marina facility 21 acres parks

Key for Land Use Recommendation B Parks / Recreation Educational, Public or Civic Institutions General Sales or Services / Mixed Use Residential / Accommodation Transportation Related Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 30

NORTH

LAND USE RECOMMENDATION B

Land Use Recommendation B

• Reestablishment of traditional street grid. • Strengthening of connections to the rest of East Nashville. • Traffic circle resolves changing street grid and creates focal point for neighborhood. • Grand Boulevard creates a linear park. • Large central park space surrounded by residential units, mixed-use buildings, and civic / public institutions. • Riverfront promenade / park incorporates greenways. • Creation of new street along riverfront promenade. • Streets terminated at riverfront promenade have focal point areas for entry to park, viewing downtown and river access. • Buffer zone of trees separates neighborhood from interstate. • Creation of marina between Gateway and Shelby Street Bridges.

NORTH

PERSPECTIVES OF THE EAST BANK

View of Shelby Avenue overpass from I-24 West on-ramp

Drawing upon the ideas of Cincinnati’s Fort Washington Way project (page 19), the Nashville Civic Design Center staff proposes that the Shelby Avenue I-24 overpass could be developed in a similar “gateway bridge” design concept.

Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 32

View of Shelby Avenue overpass with Gateway Bridge concept inserted

In the image above, a section of the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge has been replicated and placed onto the overpass. The addition of the bridge structure would visually reconnect the East Bank to East Nashville, thus downplaying the presence of the Interstate. The delineation of Gateway Boulevard standards on the East side would further reinforce the ideas of reconnecting the East Bank to East Nashville, thus strengthening the “Gateway to the City” concept.

PERSPECTIVES OF THE EAST BANK

Conceptual Perspective for East Bank development (large image) View of current conditions (inset)

Nashville Civic Design Center Report: East Bank of the Cumberland page 33