I agree with Gail Kerr that the current convention center site will be an “enormous opportunity” once the new convention center opens its doors.

“It needs to be a signature thing for downtown Nashville,” said Rich Riebeling, Metro finance director. “I think the potential is unlimited. Whatever gets done needs to enhance the Ryman, and have some sort of green space. I don’t know what the right answer is.”

Should the city level the old convention center and offer the land up for redevelopment to the higher bidder? Build a park? A downtown high school? Or (please, no) another high-rise condo tower?

My first thought is that I’d like to see a public space along the lines of the public square in front of the Metro Courthouse that features a parking garage beneath it. This would be a good balance between pragmatism and aesthetics, in my opinion. It would be challenging to make that kind of public square or space work since the property slopes downhill toward the river, but I think it’s workable. I’d like to see a study committee of some sort take on the task of determining the best use of the property for the city, and the fate the old thermal transfer site that may or may not become a minor league baseball stadium needs to be decided, too. The former needs to precede the latter, I think. Together these two properties represent major opportunities to make downtown more welcoming, more attractive and more cosmopolitan for all of us.