This East Bank Project Feels Like a Fever Dream, Even for Nashville

Nashville's quest to become East Las Vegas treks on...

Share This Post

Forgive me for being late to the ball game on this one, but life outside of SoBros Network has been hectic as usual. I’m here now, so let’s roll. “East Bank” has been plastered all over the place for the last several weeks. Quite simply, East Bank so hot right now. I first noticed that this idea was popping up all over the place upon the release of this piece chronicling the mayor’s plan to revitalize and build up an entire chunk of the city down by the Cumberland River. I get the vision behind making Nashville an even more exciting city, and I dare say that I support the idea of spreading the tourist hub out beyond the ever-crowded Broadway. But, I have to admit – I’m looking through all of these mock-ups and artist renderings and I’m just thinking, “damn – they’re trying to build a whole new fuckin’ CITY!

It seems inevitable, and if you’re looking for deep analytical thought on this matter, you’ve come to the wrong place. So, I’ll give you the chance to bow out now. This is me being the old curmudgeon that you hear regularly on the SoBros Power Hour. This is me reacting emotionally to an idea and little else. Fair warning.

Okay, for those of you left, to say the revitalization of the East Bank is ambitious might be an understatement. We’re starting to talk about a new stadium for the Tennessee Titans – one that will presumably have a retractable roof. With that, there are rumblings that an entire neighborhood of bars, entertainment venues, shops, and hotels will be built up around it. Some of the most fun I’ve had on a trip came in St. Louis when we partied in the little Cardinals-themed “neighborhood” around the baseball stadium. I’m not against this – I think it could amplify the game day experience by a thousand. And, it would become a tourist attraction in its own right one of these days, too. Imagine Nashville having its own version of Wrigleyville! That’s on top of what the city already draws with Broadway and the country music industry. It would provide a little more variety to the tourism options in this city while also building out a more robust experience.

Then, you have Oracle building out a spot on that side of town. They’re going to provide a lot of jobs, and that’s a company that gives Nashville more credibility in the emerging tech scene here in town. But, I’ll tell ya – it’s a long way’s from looking at that old Stadium Inn and the TA Travel Center! It’s still weird to me to drive by and see Top Golf in that part of town. That’s a good example of how this city is growing in a single snapshot. Speaking of the TA Travel Center, they’re about to tear that down and redevelop it, too. I don’t know if we count this as “old Nashville” or not – like, is anyone going to shed a tear because the TA Travel Center is being torn down the way they did when Ernest Tubb’s Record Shop went bye-bye? I don’t know – you might want to consider getting out of all of this mess if you’re deeply affected by the TA Travel Center closing.

This part of town – think about it – is going to look totally different within the next 10 years. It’s not going to be recognizable to us old timers, and we’re going to be telling our kids about what it looked like (and longing for the return of the Gerst Haus) before they were born much like my father told me that folks laughed at the idea of an interstate running through Murfreesboro when he was a kid. It feels like a lot. Like, we’re just going full bore into the “entertainment mecca” side of Nashville. I’m conflicted about that – there seems to be a lack of character hollowing out the city (the “soul” type of character…not the “good people” type of character…). Nashville has long been known for its hospitality, good food, and fun. How will it go once the locals are fully driven out and our longtime institutions are driven out because the rent’s too damn high? I don’t know – just asking. On the other hand, it would be pretty cool to travel 13 miles west from Mount Juliet and feel like I’m in Las Vegas!

It doesn’t really effect me because I don’t go downtown that often. But, it is super interesting to watch this city grow in the manner it’s growing. That would be my takeaway for y’all – this feels like we’re at a critical point in this city’s history. If you’re just along for the ride like I am, I say we get our popcorn ready and enjoy the show.

Further (more thoughtful) reading: The East Bank Is the Latest, Biggest Downtown Deal by Eli Motycka

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to The SoBros Power Hour on Apple Podcasts, follow us on Spotify, or wherever you take in your shows. Give us a rate and a review when you have a moment – that’s how we get better and we always want to be better for you guys! That said, you can also simply smash that play button on the embed below:

Listen to “Ep. 78: East Bank So Hot” on Spreaker.

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.

Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

More To Explore