SomeraRoad | Building a Collaborative Future
Emblem Park | An adaptive reuse project by SomeraRoad
SomeraRoad and the Residents of Wedgewood Houston Build a Collaborative Future
Nashville, TN – March 19, 2024 – Residents of Wedgewood Houston and representatives from SomeraRoad, a real estate development company, recently convened for a productive meeting to discuss upcoming projects and their impact on the neighborhood.
The forum, hosted by Wedgewood Houston Social, aimed to foster open communication and collaboration between residents and developers. Andrew Donchez, representing SomeraRoad, presented their diverse development portfolio, including the soon-to-be-completed Emblem Park and the vision for a mixed-use development at Martin & Merritt.
SomeraRoad emphasized their commitment to responsible development, prioritizing resident well-being in their approach to redevelopment projects. Donchez detailed their thoughtful approach to relocating residents from a local trailer park, offering personalized plans and generous assistance packages.
The discussion then delved into common challenges facing the neighborhood. Donchez acknowledged the difficulties businesses face in finding suitable spaces, particularly those requiring ample parking. This sparked a lively exchange of ideas, with residents and developers brainstorming innovative solutions like mixed-use designs that could benefit the entire community.
Wedgewood Houston Social is a strong advocate for addressing the surge in AirBnBs, and SomeraRoad's proposal for a boutique hotel near Martin & Merritt resonated with residents. This hotel aims to cater not just to tourists, but also to provide a haven for local residents' visiting family and friends, offering a comfortable alternative to short-term rentals while injecting much-needed hotel rooms into the neighborhood.
While not all plans were met with unanimous approval, a proposed mixed-use development with a hotel, multifamily units, and a public plaza sparked a constructive conversation. Residents Earnest Morgan and Chad DiDonato voiced their design concerns. SomeraRoad acknowledged the feedback and assured everyone of their commitment to collaboration. They pledged to utilize the land's natural slope to create a hidden parking structure, ensuring the project seamlessly integrates with the neighborhood's character.
The meeting underscored the importance of community support for development projects. SomeraRoad acknowledged the challenges faced by the Humphreys Street project, their future headquarters, due to zoning hurdles. They emphasized the need for collaboration in overcoming these obstacles.
Residents expressed their desire for clear communication and transparency throughout the development process, particularly regarding project timelines. SomeraRoad acknowledged this concern and committed to keeping the community informed.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with a sense of cautious optimism for the neighborhood's future. Wedgewood Houston Social is committed to fostering a collaborative environment where residents and developers can work together to achieve responsible growth that addresses the needs of everyone in the community.
About Wedgewood Houston Social
Wedgewood Houston Social is a recognized community group by Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, created for the people who live, work, and play in Nashville's historic Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. The organization focuses on bringing neighbors together through various activities, events, and projects to build a strong and inclusive community. Learn more about Wedgewood Houston Social or subscribe to the newsletter, go to www.wehosocial.org
