NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A controversial mixed-use development on Murphy Road is one step closer to becoming a reality, after a lengthy debate at the Metro Council meeting.
The Metro Council voted to approve the development by a vote of 29 to 2 with 1 abstention. The project still has to pass a third and final vote.
People with strong opinions on both sides of the issue lined up to address the council. The public hearing lasted for more than an hour.
Supporters said the project will increase the "walkability" in their neighborhood, and the addition of entertainment and a hotel will be nice features for the neighborhood.
“It’s a very well-designed project,” said one woman who addressed the Metro Council. “I think they have done a great job making it community based with everything we have booming in our city.”
The development will feature 195 residential units, retail and restaurant space, and a 175 room hotel. The developer, GBT Realty, has revised the plan multiple times, and scaled back the size of the project, in an effort to compromise with neighbors’ concerns. Multiple community meetings have been held on this project over the course of the last year. The developer also offered to donate money to neighborhood associations.
“We know that we will never satisfy everyone on a project of this magnitude,” said Jeff Pape, with GBT Reality. “But we feel we have addressed the majority of the issues raised.”
Opponents were also out in force. Many were wearing purple T-shirts that said “Stand up for stable zoning.” They said they aren’t against development on the site, but believe this project is too large for the space. They also had concerns about traffic.
“I understand Nashville is the ‘it city,’” said one woman. “But there is no doubt this request is motivated by dollars and cents.”
“We don’t want another downtown as an entrance to these historic neighborhoods,” added another woman.
Council Member Ed Kindall said many of opponents’ concerns would be addressed with some amendments to the plan. Those changes would be discussed during a third and final vote at the next Metro Council meeting.
