NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Big changes could be coming to the Belle Meade Plaza shopping area in the next few years. The Planning Commission is considering plans for a new, mixed-use development. The proposal is on the agenda for their February 9 meeting.
For decades it's been a big retail space in the area, but now developer AJ Capital Partners is hoping to transform it into a spot where the community can shop, live and enjoy the outdoors.
If AJ Capital Partners sounds familiar, it's because it's the same firm that terminated the lease for the group running the Exit/In and is planning to remodel parts of the building.
The property on the corner of White Bridge and Harding sees a lot of traffic every day. Right now it's home to businesses like Kroger, Katy's Hallmark and Ninki. Kroger will be relocating, but the future for the others and if they'll be staying is up in the air.
"We need to keep our old buildings," said Janelle Holt, a lifelong Nashvillian.
"I loved Nashville the way it was, and I just don’t like it no more. You can’t get around in this town," said Steve Ray, another Nashville native.
New plans include five buildings dedicated to retail spaces on the 10+ acre property. There will be up to 120 condos and 380 apartment units, as well as a 15-story building that could have hotel space. Of the ten acres they're working with, plans show more than six will be open space for the community and at least three of those acres will be green space with a creek trail and boardwalk.
But by no means is this a done deal.
In order to get things moving, the Metro Planning Commission will have to approve a zoning change. The rezoning request is expected to be heard by the MPC on February 9th.
According to FEMA's flood map, part of the property also falls in the 500 year flood plain. "Man that got flooded too didn’t it?" said Ray. "It’s gotta go somewhere but I don’t know where."
For Janelle Holt, she's ready to share her frustration before all the gems of her past go extinct. "I don’t think it’s good," said Holt. "We need to keep a little bit of -- sanity, I guess you’d call it."
So far, AJ Capital Partners hasn't returned our request for comment.
A community meetingis being held Thursday, January 5 at Montgomery Bell Academy at 6 p.m. NewsChannel 5 will have a crew at the meeting. Look for the latest on NewsChannel 5 at 10.
