Nashville should create an "International" District off Nolensville road. (Memphis: rent, houses)

[BayAreaDave]

I am sure everyone is aware that Nolensville road was ranked one of American's tastiest roads due to all the ethnic cuisine present in the area. Casa Azafran, an international community center, is located there as well. Why not do some streetscaping and really bring the area to life? Change the name to International blvd, have a big sign welcoming you to the International district, and viola! Tourists spending money to get an authentic taste of foreign culture. Nolensville road all the way to Old Hickory blvd can be a major tourist draw.

[BirdieBelle]

They could do that. It's an interesting idea.

Some people prefer "authenticity," though.

Kinda like Beale Street in Memphis.

Back at the beginning of the last century when it was full of black-owned clubs and stores where neighbors shopped, it was more of "the real deal." It did decline quickly in the 1970s. Once it was designated a tourist district, it lost a bit of its edge, although it certainly gained visitors and revenue.

Nashville seems to be focused on the Gulch and downtown now.

[sucrose]

I think that's a great idea. As a transplant I never know where to go when I want ethnic stuff. As far as "authenticity" goes, just because it's not historic doesn't mean it's inauthentic. It's just taking longer for ethnic groups to arrive in the south.

[BirdieBelle]

Originally Posted by sucrose

I think that's a great idea. As a transplant I never know where to go when I want ethnic stuff. As far as "authenticity" goes, just because it's not historic doesn't mean it's inauthentic. It's just taking longer for ethnic groups to arrive in the south.

Well, I didn't really mean "authentic" in terms of historic. I was thinking that it IS already an international area, with plenty of first-generation immigrants operating businesses there. But once the planning department gets involved to make it an Official International District, it homogenizes the area just a little bit.

I still think it's a cool idea. Metro definitely needs to spread the redevelopment love around to other parts of town.

[citymama]

The idea reminds me of International Blvd and the Fruitvale District in Oakland, Ca.

Nashville seems to have more resources than Oakland-- it is still a vary dangerous part of town, unfortunately-- the development of the district didn't do much to improve that.

[BayAreaDave]

Originally Posted by citymama

The idea reminds me of International Blvd and the Fruitvale District in Oakland, Ca.

Nashville seems to have more resources than Oakland-- it is still a vary dangerous part of town, unfortunately-- the development of the district didn't do much to improve that.

Yes, when I went to Tijuana I was shocked at how similar it was to the Fruitvale. I was also shocked at how for the most part, it was safer than the Fruitvale. But by Oakland standards the Fruitvale isn't really that bad at all. Its safer than pretty much all of West Oakland and Deep East Oakland. Nolensville road is tremendously safer than International blvd no question. I think if we made an international district it would attract many more tourists than Oakland's fruitvale.

[Drake744]

That's actually a pretty legit idea. Only issue though is I'm sure a lot of locals are apprehensive to going into that area, and tourists either wouldn't venture there....or, also be apprehensive after asking where to go. If a full-on effort was made to spruce it up a little and fix the perception it may work and that would be great, but the way this city is growing, I could see that easily turning into a new area to move to because rent would be cheap, therefore over time dissolving the international aspect of it because of rising costs. Just a theory. As for the idea itself, I like it.

[BayAreaDave]

Originally Posted by Drake744

That's actually a pretty legit idea. Only issue though is I'm sure a lot of locals are apprehensive to going into that area, and tourists either wouldn't venture there....or, also be apprehensive after asking where to go. If a full-on effort was made to spruce it up a little and fix the perception it may work and that would be great, but the way this city is growing, I could see that easily turning into a new area to move to because rent would be cheap, therefore over time dissolving the international aspect of it because of rising costs. Just a theory. As for the idea itself, I like it.

Well you would need to redevelop houses, which im not sure is possible when your houses are all brick. The majority of South Nashville neighborhoods are brick, very little room for revitalization.

[N.Cal]

Tourists spending money to get an authentic taste of foreign culture.

In my opinion, I don't think tourists coming here would really be interested in getting a taste of foreign culture. Just from personal experience and all the people who have come to visit that I know of (or are planning to), there are two groups - the Midwesterners, who are coming for country music and the East and West Coasters who have real foreign culture out the front door. Also, my family in a small town in Kansas have better authentic Mexican food there than we do here since they have many Mexican families who have moved to the town to work.

Now, as a transplant here, more ethic shops and restaurants would be fantastic! How many people on this forum have actually been to any of the restaurants or shops on N. Road? We are eating our way down the road since I'm still looking for good Mexican food.

[skyblueNashville]

Originally Posted by N.Cal

In my opinion, I don't think tourists coming here would really be interested in getting a taste of foreign culture. Just from personal experience and all the people who have come to visit that I know of (or are planning to), there are two groups - the Midwesterners, who are coming for country music and the East and West Coasters who have real foreign culture out the front door. Also, my family in a small town in Kansas have better authentic Mexican food there than we do here since they have many Mexican families who have moved to the town to work.

Now, as a transplant here, more ethic shops and restaurants would be fantastic! How many people on this forum have actually been to any of the restaurants or shops on N. Road? We are eating our way down the road since I'm still looking for good Mexican food.

I don't know about authentic Mexican food, but I do know what we like among the ones we've visited on Nolensville Road: La Terraza, La Hacienda, and Los Arcos.

I think it's an interesting idea.