Sounds Stadium Public Forum

Nearly 200 Nashvillians got a look today at the latest plans for a downtown baseball stadium and mixed use development.

Nashville Sounds management and representatives from the development firm of Streuver Brothers, Eccles and Rouse say the ball field will be oriented to give fans views of the Cumberland River and city skyline. The stadium concourse will be open to the public when there is no game, providing a walking path that joins First Avenue with a greenway running along the river. Three adjacent buildings will include restaurants, retail space, a boutique hotel, 4- to 500 residential units and underground parking.

Developer Jeff Thompson says the project will have a unique character.

“You’ll know that you’re in Nashville just because of the ballpark. I mean, you’ll sit in this ballpark, have views of the bridge, residence right there, this rocky bluff, the greenway. No other ballpark in America can you do that.”

The crowd seemed largely pleased with the plans. Lanaris Austin says he’s excited about the ballpark project, but he is unsure about the scale of the surrounding buildings.

“My only concern is maybe some of the buildings are too high, they kind of obstruct the view of the downtown Nashville area, and I would actually like to see some of the buildings lowered.”

The plan calls for two towers. One on Gateway Boulevard would rise 15 to 20 stories, and the other, adjacent to the Shelby Street bridge, would reach ten stories. Others in the audience worried about the lack of street level businesses on the corner occupied by the clubhouse, and the noise level within the residential structures.

The developers hope to break ground early next year, with most construction done in time for the season opening game in April, 2008.