Riverchase redevelopment is delayed again, as a Metro councilmember holds out for more community input

A Texas-based developer’s plans for about nine acres in East Nashville is still in limbo.

The developer, CREA, wants to demolish the Riverchase Apartments so it can create a mixed-use development. The company has spent the last few months paying to relocate residents to new homes and hosting community meetings.

More: Texas developer promises displaced Nashville residents they can return, but right now it’s up in the air

But during Tuesday night’s Metro Council meeting, the rezoning was delayed till Oct. 4.

In a message to the residents he represents, Councilmember Sean Parker says he’s been asking for more community meetings for the last month and a half.

Residents are concerned about the height and future rent prices being too high for former residents to return.

“It’s not going to be a winning situation for one side,” says Ingrid Campbell, the president of the McFerrin Park Neighborhood Association. “It is an agreement. It is a compromise. It is through these three pillars — the communication, transparency and the like — building that relationship that you come to agreement.”

CREA has a community benefits agreement with the Urban League, which includes details about housing affordability. In the current version, there are very few that will be available to former residents. CREA is looking for a nonprofit developer to build at least 120 units.

“There is more work to be done to get consensus from the community to support this zoning bill going forward,” Park said on the council floor. “That’s the reason for the deferral, and frankly, if that work has not been done and those meetings have not been had to the satisfaction of the community, then no, we won’t have a public hearing in October.”

CREA needs the land to be rezoned so it can build retail space and increase building height. The councilmember is pushing off making a zoning decision until more community meetings happen.

“If the city rejects a major workforce housing project, the CBA and other issues won’t matter,” development manager Stephen Buchanan tells WPLN News via an emailed statement. “In that case, we will uphold the commitments we made to all of the Riverchase residents. And the city will have to decide how to demonstrate to residents and developers that they’re really committed to addressing affordable housing.”

McFerrin Park residents and housing advocates have been concerned and working on the future of this site since at least the summer of 2019.