The first item on the list of ideas we're offering to Nashville's 2015 mayoral candidates is getting rid of the scrap heap on the east bank operated by PSC Metals.
As we note, it's not a new idea. The last several mayoral administrations have been interested in relocating PSC and redeveloping the prime piece of land it's sitting on. At one point Dean administration officials were talking about it as a potential second-term priority. They included a question about putting revenues from a tax increase toward relocation efforts in a 2012 poll, and the east bank site came up as officials were dreaming up a location for a new Nashville Sounds baseball stadium (which is now being built at Sulphur Dell, just north of downtown).
But PSC Metals remains, an eyesore and an unfortunate use of one of Nashville's best pieces of property.
So we say the next mayor should finally get rid of it.
But almost immediately after the issue hit newsstands, we heard from super lobbyist James Weaver, who represents PSC Metals, the Titans, and Chicago-based Monroe Investments, which is the largest landowner on the east bank. Weaver argues that it's a mistake to focus on the PSC site when there are more than 500 other acres to redevelop along the riverbank. If we spend too much energy on relocating PSC Metals — an effort that will be costly and possibly contentious — might we be missing the forest for a tree?
Admittedly, our case is largely based on the fact that we're not talking about a tree, but a mountain of scrap metal. And obviously Weaver is not a neutral party, given his clients and their various interests when it comes to redevelopment on the east bank. Still, his point isn't unreasonable. There's no doubt that a lot that could be done up and down the riverbank. And by all means, it should be done. We just think it'd be great to start with one of the city's most unsightly parcels of land.
What do you think?
