A Texas developer wants to transform the L-shaped entry to McFerrin Park into a mixed-use development with more than a thousand apartment rentals, retail and open space.
The developer, CREA Meridian, has promised to help Riverchase Apartments’ current residents with moving costs, securing a new place and offering a chance to return.
Organizations like PATHE and Salvation Army are helping residents find a new place to live. Others, including Stand Up Nashville, are pushing the developer to update their previous promises in a community benefits agreement.
That has brought praise from city officials and community organizations.
“I can’t go without saying this is the type of teamwork and interaction with the community and different groups that really gets to be such a successful solution,” Planning Commissioner Brian Tibbs said at the February rezoning meeting. “And a lot of times it’s just because that communication doesn’t really happen.”
But that doesn’t satisfy some residents.
“I’m just frustrated with the whole ordeal,” says Sonya Sauls, who lives in Riverchase. “I won’t be homeless ’cause I can stay with my daughter for a few weeks or something. But it’s just — it’s difficult. Very difficult, knowing I really don’t have anywhere to go with these kids.”
Sauls has to consider how her four grandchildren, who live with her, will get to school. They currently walk or ride the bus, and Sauls doesn’t have a car.
Many residents say they want to leave the poor living conditions at Riverchase, but they need a place to go. Despite the involvement of several Nashville service organizations, some residents remain confused about when they need to move out — end of MNPS school year — and feeling like the local government is pushing them around the city to make way for residents with more money.
Councilmember Sean Parker represents the area and is holding off until May on his bill to rezone the property. That will give Stand Up Nashville a last bit of leverage in negotiating with the developer.
The Riverchase redevelopment proposal’s public hearing at council currently scheduled for April 5th will be deferred to May 5th.
CREA and @StandUpNash continue to negotiate in good faith. @PATHENashville and the Salvation Army continue to support residents.
— Sean Parker (@SeanForFive) April 2, 2022
Residents at Riverchase use cash, housing vouchers or both to cover rent, something the new developer says they’ll continue to accept from those being displaced. But renters will likely be met with higher payments, since market prices have gone up 19% in one year.
The land where Riverchase sits is in walking distance from the future Oracle tech hub and the Titans stadium, which could be getting its own face lift.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM