Interesting article about the National Museum of African American Music (to be located here) (Germantown: appointed, hotels)

[nashvols]

Bringing the National Museum of African American Music to Life - Entertainment & Culture - EBONY

I have been aware of this proposal for a while, but I had no idea they were this close to starting. For those that may have heard about the project before, this gives a little clearer vision about what it will be.

The original intended location was to be on the SW corner of Jefferson St. at Rosa Parks (due north of the Farmer's Market)...now it seems they may be looking into the vacant space in the old convention center (which would certainly be a good use of the building/site).

[BirdieBelle]

Originally Posted by nashvols

The original intended location was to be on the SW corner of Jefferson St. at Rosa Parks (due north of the Farmer's Market)...now it seems they may be looking into the vacant space in the old convention center (which would certainly be a good use of the building/site).

And a much more prominent location.

Mayor Dean really is a driving force behind this project.

[BirdieBelle]

Too late to edit my own post, but I should have written that the mayor is a driving force behind this project in that he is keeping it at the forefront and making sure it gets done, not that it's "his" project.

[dafunk10]

was really disappointed when I heard this would not be going in on Jefferson, but the new location is not only an outstanding use for the old convention center, but also a significant upgrade in location for visibility (although the historical factor of having it at the corner of Jefferson/Rosa Parks would be nice)

[ccdscott]

This is nothing but good news for Nashville. The culture in this city is amazing.

[nashvols]

Originally Posted by dafunk10

was really disappointed when I heard this would not be going in on Jefferson, but the new location is not only an outstanding use for the old convention center, but also a significant upgrade in location for visibility (although the historical factor of having it at the corner of Jefferson/Rosa Parks would be nice)

I agree. I really liked the idea of the museum's location actually being near the historic center of black music in Nashville. I liked the idea of adding a tourist attraction that is away from downtown.

But I think you and Wmsn are right...the old convention center site is much more prominent, and it is also connected to a large hotel. There is nothing in the way of hotels around Jefferson/Rosa Parks (until you get up into Metrocenter).

[TVofM]

I think the most significant chapter in R&B in Nashville's history is that Hendrix lived here, right on Jefferson above a business called "Joyce's House of Glamour." Even though Mother's Finest is from Atlanta, they used to play on some major bills at Municipal Auditorium and were the first big integrated rock group, long before Living Color and others. They are still together and doing gigs. It would be great to have them play at the opening of the venue.

[nashville23]

Thanks for the info on this....what a great addition to Nashville's cultural mosaic!

[BayAreaDave]

What kind of place is the Jefferson/Rosa Parks area? Safe? Affordable? Hip?

[nashvols]

Originally Posted by BayAreaDave

What kind of place is the Jefferson/Rosa Parks area? Safe? Affordable? Hip?

lol, depends on who you ask.

Germantown and Salemtown (the neighborhoods northeast of the intersection) are rapidly changing. I would call that area pretty safe...and it's definitely hip/popular. But affordability depends on your definition of the word.

On the other side of Rosa Parks (northwest), you have Historic Buena Vista, which is going through some positive changes, but still lags behind some in the safety department. At least for now. It would be a bit more affordable than across the street.

South of that you have Hope Gardens, which is sort of in between in the terms you listed compared to the other two.

It is also the area where the Farmer's Market is located (a definite plus) and the Bicentennial Mall (a decent sized memorial park, with an excellent view of the state capitol).


With all that is going on in Germantown and Salemtown, and all of the potential land that can be developed or redeveloped, it's an area that I think will end up being one of, if not the best, urban neighborhoods in Nashville.