A large-scale mixed-use project is being eyed for a portion of the Rivergate Mall site in north Davidson County, with a fall construction start planned.
According to a document submitted to the Metro Planning Department, Cincinnati-based real estate company Merus (formerly known as Al. Neyer) seeks to undertake the development on 15.22 acres with a main address of 1000 Rivergate Parkway.
North Davidson retail property opened in 1971, offers Target, Dillard’s, J.C. Penney
The development is proposed to include retail and restaurants, townhomes, market-rate apartment housing, independent senior living residential, transit-oriented features and a community green space. Parking options will include surface lots and on-street/off-street parking.
The document notes the future development could offer up to 458 residential units.
A 2029 completion date is targeted. The proposed name and estimated cost to undertake the development are unclear. Merus officials could not be reached for comment.
Merus has enlisted Smith Gee Studio (land-planning) and Fulmer Lucas (civil engineering) to work on the project. Both are locally based.
The development team will go before the Metro Planning Commission on March 13 to seek a rezoning.
Concept plan images for the proposed project
Three entities (KDI Rivergate Mall LLC, J.C. Penney Co. Inc., and Dillard TN Operating Ltd. Partnership) own the properties, which sit within Metro Coucilmember Jennifer Webb’s District 10. It is unclear if Merus will acquire the properties or undertake a ground lease.
Some of the existing mall (the original iteration of which opened in 1971) will need to be razed to accommodate the development.
Merus is finishing construction of Aspire, an apartment tower located in Midtown. In addition, the company has both developed and acquired real estate in the general Nashville area and offers an office in SoBro.
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
