The Tennessee Preservation Trust previously opposed plans for a high-rise hotel and condo development on Lower Broadway. Now the group is nominating the entire district for the annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, specifically to counter the Westin development.
The timing is critical considering the Metro Council’s public hearing on the Westin development is Tuesday night. The Planning Commission and the Metro Development and Housing Agency have already given developers special permission to build the 19-story hotel between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, but the Metro Council has final say-so.
Tennessee Preservation Trust director Patrick McIntyre admits making the national endangered list won’t necessarily prevent the impending high-rise development. But he says it will show the community how important saving the historic character of Lower Broadway is for the city’s future.
“It’s not simply about putting a shopping center along Charlotte Pike or some of the other projects that might be of interest just to the adjacent property owners. This is really something that is kind of the center of our community. It’s something we take pride in and it’s what we show off to visitors from around the world as the heart of our tourism.”
Arkansas-based hotel developer, The Barber Group, has not compromised on the height of the Westin, though preservation groups say an eight-story building would be appropriate. The developer has, however, incorporated the historic Trail West building into the design and committed 25-thousand dollars to form an historic zoning overlay that would dictate future development.
Only two other places in Tennessee have made the national endangered list: the Franklin post office, and more recently the Elkmont Historic District in the Smokey Mountains. This is the first time that Lower Broadway has been nominated.
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