New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The
Music Row Neighborhood Association (MRNA) was formed in 2015 to ensure that the property owners and commercial tenants - the stakeholders - of
Music Row had a voice in the process to re-examine the policies and zoning regulation that will govern land use in this iconic Nashville neighborhood. Yesterday evening the Metro Nashville Planning Commission held its fifth public meeting to present the latest developments in its process to update these policies and zoning regulations.
The attendees expected to hear the Planning Commission fine-tune its previously stated positions but instead were surprised that at this advanced stage of the process the presentation included significant changes in approach, including a new preservation effort that will result in broadly restricting property owners' rights on
Music Row by using the eligibility nomination of 66 properties by the
National Trust for Historic Preservation to the
National Registry as a primary determining factor in all development. We are disappointed that such a drastic proposal has been crafted based on the efforts of a non-profit agency without a presence on
Music Row and without any input from those of us who work and live here.
As we discovered in the 18 month process of MRNA public meetings, surveys and door-to-door discussion with our neighbors, the issue of preserving
Music Row is complicated. While there are some vitally historic buildings like RCA Studio A, it is easy to confuse the desire to preserve the music industry, as stated by the Planning Commission, with efforts to save buildings that once housed music businesses.
There are over 200 music related businesses on the Row, down from over 600 in 1979. It was noted at the meeting that record companies, booking agencies and other large music businesses have left
Music Row as they have outgrown available spaces. Many recording studios and smaller music businesses have left because of soaring property taxes and lack of parking.
We appreciate the ongoing efforts of the Planning Commission to reach out to the neighborhood and explain its position. Clearly a full discussion of the issues was not possible during the meeting. The MRNA urges the Planning Commission to give the stakeholders in
Music Row sufficient time to understand and comment on the new information. We urge property owners and tenants in
Music Row to voice their thoughts to the Planning Commission and our Council Representatives, and to comment in the Planning Commission survey that is to be posted today at https://www.nashville.gov/Planning-Department/Music-Row-Community-Meetings.aspx.
The MRNA continues to advocate for the vital concerns of our constituents that traffic, parking and infrastructure must be addressed by our Metro Government sooner rather than later in the planning and development of the
Music Row neighborhood. We ask Metro to better evaluate the capacity of existing infrastructure and limit development until improvements can be made to accommodate growth.
For further information contact:
John Dotson -
[email protected] - 615-496-1676
Eddie Robba -
[email protected] - 615-340-9000
MRNA Board members:
Eddie Robba - President
Bill Gatzimos - Vice-President
Mike Myers - Treasurer
Carleen Vollmer - Secretary
Garth Shaw
Larry Sheridan
Denty Cheatham
Jay Vernali
Pat McMakin
Shirley Thompson
Teena Camp
John Dotson
