The Nashville Civic Design Center has been a player in the public discussion of where and how a new ballpark might be developed and designed for the Nashville Sounds since at least October 2002, when its monthly Urban Design Forum then focused on “A New Home for the Nashville Sounds.” The Civic Design Center has also focused on the future of the former Thermal Plant Site in recent years, specifically addressing the issue with an Urban Design Forum held in March 2004 entitled “Thermal Site: What Will It Be?” The two topics-- a new ballpark and the Thermal Plant site-- ultimately joined as one vision, with Rolling Mill Hill developer Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse being designated lead developer for the mixed use development, including significant residential and retail components for the riverfront site, to be integrated with a new stadium for the Sounds.

As this complex project-- on a very challenging site-- has come together, the Civic Design Center has hosted two public meetings to promote dialogue and discussion, as well as to elicit additional ideas. The first public meeting was held at the Downtown Public Library on December 15, 2005, with over 120 participants. At this meeting, a consensus emerged around five objectives for the site’s development. First, the incorporation of a greenway along the river edge of the site was a very high priority. Second, interesting views from the ballpark to the city were desired. Third, view corridors from various locations off the site should be carefully considered in the massing of the site’s development. Fourth, the project should incorporate a mix of uses to promote an active pedestrian experience as a destination. And fifth, access to the river’s edges and the greenway, from the city, should be incorporated in the design.

The second and most recent public meeting was held on May 19, 2006 at the Downtown Public Library, when the development and design teams of the Sounds, including facility planners Brailsford & Dunlavey and HOK Sports, and Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse with Hastings Architecture Associates and Hawkins Partners, presented a Master Plan for the Ballpark and Adjacent Development. Approximately 180 people participated, with questions and comments delivered from a panel to the floor, followed by an individual, anonymous questionnaire submitted by 70 of the participants to gauge their reaction to the proposed master plan as it is evolving. The audience was asked to comment on the degree of success the design and development teams had achieved on these five previously established objectives, as well as on what components of the plan they liked best, and how might specific components of the plan be improved. The outcome of these surveys has been summarized as a product.

Click on the links below for additional information

Results from Survey isssued at May 19 2006 Meeting

Transcript of Opening Remarks from May 19 2006 public meeting

Press Release for May 19, 2006 public meeting

Press Release for December 15, 2005 public meeting

Press Release for August 25, 2005 workshop

Master Plan Images, as of May 2006 (courtesy of Hastings Architecture Associates)
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