Plus, more developments around the East Bank.
 
03.05.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

69º | 72% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 6:11 a.m. | Sunset 5:46 p.m.
 

👟 POV: MetroCenter finds its stride

How Nashville’s first master-planned business park adapted to a changing city
An aerial view in 1988 shows the Maxwell House Hotel between two roadways. In the top middle to left of the photograph, you can make out the blue roof of the Fountain Square mall site sitting along the Cumberland.
An aerial of the Maxwell House Hotel in 1988 with a view of Fountain Square mall’s notable blue roof. | Photo via the Nashville Public Library’s Digital Collection
MetroCenter’s over 50-year history wasn’t always a walk in the (business) park. From its location in a flood plain delaying development potential to failed retail ventures, the project has traveled a bumpy path to get to where it stands today. That journey, however, has played an important role in Nashville’s history and economic success.

Extra, extra — read all about it

The 850-acre development situated on the bend of the Cumberland River made history in 1971 as the chosen location of the city’s first master-planned business park. The land was located within the river’s 100-year flood plain, but the construction of a 3.2-mile levee and stormwater management system allowed for a new vision: commercial and residential expansion.

But business didn’t boom

At first, anyways. Fifteen years later, a $25 million retail and office component joined existing tenants IBM, Nortel Networks, Piedmont Natural Gas, and Comcast. The 175,000-sqft Fountain Square mall boasted a slew of businesses and restaurants, as well as club Heartthrob Cafe, and at the time, the city’s largest movie theater.

Businesses weren’t getting the foot traffic they had hoped early on and began leaving. By 1990, Fountain Square closed, and MetroCenter became known by many as the “mistake on the lake.”

The state steps in

Don’t count MetroCenter out just yet. The Tennessee Titans made a home for their training facility, and by 2004, the state announced the area would become the Tennessee Education Lottery’s first headquarters. In the years that followed, the Department of Disability Services relocated + TennCare and the Department of Labor also set up shop.

As for the infamous blue-roofed shopping destination? Watkins College of Art and Design occupied the AMC theater for some time before its merge with Belmont University.

Today, the property remains a hub for administrative offices, filling the vacancy void of the 90s and early 2000s. Drive around and you’ll spot a number of residential investments. Even some of your favorite locales see the area’s potential with expansion plans in the works.
 
Events
Tuesday, March 5
Wednesday, March 6
  • Native Bee Farming | Wednesday, March 6 | 6-7 p.m. | Nashville Public Library, Donelson Branch, 2315 Lebanon Pk. | Free | Learn how to become a native bee farmer with gentle and easy-to-raise hiveless bees.
  • Spanish Wine Tasting | Wednesday, March 6 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Miel Restaurant & Bar, 343 53rd Ave. N. | $100 | Learn about six regions and enjoy corresponding wines with tapas.
Thursday, March 7
  • Yogi Beats: 2000s Edition | Thursday, March 7 | 6 p.m. | Small World Yoga, 1119 12th Ave. S. | Cost of purchase | This class mixes creative vinyasa flows with rhythm-based exercises soundtracked by music of the 2000s.
Friday, March 8
  • International Women’s Day Party | Friday, March 8 | 2-6 p.m. | 6th and Peabody, 423 6th Ave. S. | Free+ | Sip on Yee Haw’s new release “Should Have Been a Cowgirl,” listen to beats by DJ Jane Dupree, and shop from vendors.
Saturday, March 9
  • Spring Blooms: March Community Day | Saturday, March 9 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Glen Leven Farm, 4000 Franklin Pk. | Free | Hike the 1.4-mile Glen Leven Nature Trail, say hi to the donkeys, and hang out on the lawn with a frisbee or a picnic.
  • A Supper That Sustains Us with Noelle Scaggs | Saturday, March 9 | 5-9 p.m. | 1 Hotel Nashville’s 1 Kitchen, 710 Demonbreun St. | $75 | Enjoy a four-course dinner curated by Culinary Director Chris Crary and Fitz and The Tantrums vocalist Noelle Scaggs.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
6AM City In-house
 
Travel

Spring Break destination: Road trip with the family to Columbia, SC
A slideshow of families on a bike ride, at an aquarium, inside a cabin, and playing at a children's museum in Columbia, SC.
You’ll have no problem getting the kiddos here, but we can’t promise it will be easy to get them to leave after a fun-filled weekend. | Photos by Forrest Clonts + Marquita Wright
Spring Break is coming up, and summer isn’t far behind. Looking for a destination for a family vacation? We’ve got one that’s packed with history, culture, and indoor and outdoor activities — and it won’t break the bank.

Enter: Columbia, SC, a ~7-hour drive from NASH.

To make the planning easy, we’ve rounded up some of the top itinerary activities for you to choose from. Enjoy exploring, NASH.
  • History: Check out the South Carolina State Museum, EdVenture Children’s Museum, walking tours of Main Street, the Capital, and more.
  • Culture: You’ll want to plan a visit to the Columbia Museum of Art, enjoy the public art around the city, and maybe catch a family-friendly musical at Town Theatre or puppetry performance at Columbia Marionette Theatre.
  • Indoor and outdoor activities: Stack your schedule with a mix of family-friendly indoor activities and outdoor options to really get a feel for Soda City.
If you’re bringing your furry family member, you’ve got the pick of the litter when it comes to pet-friendly hotels. If you’d rather wake up to fresh air, pick from camping options, or opt for a bed-and-breakfast or full-service property.
Ready, set, stay in Soda City
News Notes
Today Is
  • Election Day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and you must vote at your assigned polling location. Need a ballot refresher? Take a look at our election guide.
Coming Soon
  • Jack Brown’s Burger & Beer Joint is expanding its Middle Tennessee footprint. The biz is preparing to open a new location in Green Hills (2201 Brandywood Dr.) this spring and downtown Clarksville (117 Franklin St.) later this year. Also to come is a limited spirits program. (Nashville Business Journal)
Drink
  • Hospitality company Gin & Luck is eyeing a summer opening for its new bar, Close Company, in Germantown’s Neuhoff District. The group anticipates a warm, lived-in space with rich woods and leather accompanied by classic cocktails with a twist, batched and chilled freezer cocktails, and bar snacks. (Eater Nashville)
Eat
  • A brunch of foodie news. Hillsboro Village’s Bungalow10 launches a new brunch service this weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expect a breakfast taco flight, bacon-infused pancakes, cinnamon churros, and more.
Sports
  • Registration is now open for downtown’s Premier League Mornings Live Fan Fest on Sunday, April 7 — registration for Saturday’s event has closed. Attendees can meet club legends, experience free fan activations, and purchase specialty merchandise.
Concert
  • Concert Barbie activated. Live Nation and Mattel announced “Barbie The Movie: In Concert,” with music from the Barbie Land Sinfonietta, an all-women orchestra. The group will make a stop at Ascend Amphitheater on Wednesday, Aug. 7. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 8 at 10 a.m.
Biz
  • Hey, ambitious business professionals + entrepreneurs: Jump on the chance to join The University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business’ C-Suite Insights (CSI) — an exclusive leadership program offering insights from top execs, networking, individual coaching + more. The catch: There’s only 30 spots available. Learn more + register by Apr. 15.*
Fun Fact
  • Smart printers can monitor ink levels and send new cartridges directly to your door before you run out. Get a $10 credit for HP Instant Ink.*
 
Open

Your spring break staycation is calling

Drift Nashville opens in the growing East Bank neighborhood
A wooden bar housing an espresso machine with dark green tile backdrop. Two chairs and a small table sit in front of it.
Dine in at Dawn. | Photo by Erin Feinblatt
Drift downtown, there’s more developing around the East Bank.

Drift Nashville, an 87-room hotel and dining destination, is now open east of the Cumberland River at 10 Interstate Dr. Don’t worry, you don’t need guests in town to enjoy some suite features.

The new addition brings with it three food and beverage concepts by the Nashville hospitality trailblazer also behind Old Glory and Golden Pony.
  • Dawn Cafe | Craft coffee and espresso beverages using Good Citizen Coffee Co. beans + grab-and-go menu items
  • The Sun Room | Organic soda-based cocktails with house-made infusions + Spanish-inspired bites like spiced tuna pate and spiced calamari in spicy ragout
  • Poolside at Drift (coming spring 2024) | Al fresco bar experience, seasonal snacks, and a partnership with Mexican food truck Alebrije
Stay tuned — when the weather warms, the hotel will offer pool day passes for locals and visitors along with a lineup of ongoing programming.
The Buy

The Buy 3.05.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Prepared Hero’s Emergency Fire Blanket, a highly-rated staple to have on hand in your kitchen or yard. It’s easier to use than common fire extinguishers + leaves no mess behind, too.
Share NASHtoday
 
ReferralGIF1-NASH.gif

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

{{profile.vars.rh_reflink_18}}
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_18}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
Claim your rewards
 
 
The Wrap
 
Skylar

Today’s edition by:
Skylar
From the editor
Rain, rain, go away. There are some upcoming bouts of rain in the forecast — today included. Save this list of indoor activities around Nashville to fight off any boredom.
Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
Advertise     ›
Shop     ›
 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY