After nearly a decade of deliberating where to place the new Sounds baseball stadium, construction now is underway in Sulphur Dell. The new $65-million stadium is scheduled to open in April 2015, just in time for baseball season. Recently, construction crews have discovered historic artifacts, which may lead to the discovery of ancient human burials at the site.

 

According to project manager Ron Gobbell, these findings are not expected to delay the progress or cost of the stadium. Crews are taking proper protocol to examine the recent findings. Despite the long journey to get the field where it is today, the building process will happen fairly quickly.

 

The new Sounds stadium, which has been named First Tennessee Park, hopes to bring much needed attention to the Capitol District and other surrounding areas. The $65-million ballpark, and two planned private developments connected to the project, represent the first time in recent memory that Metro's economic development machine has been pointed north, giving attention to an area that many feel has been overlooked (see Tennessean article).

 

The space that for a long time has been used for parking now offers opportunity for mix used space of shopping, restaurants, and parking garages. Current redevelopment occurring in the surrounding neighborhoods, especially Jefferson Street, are hoping to increase diversity within their communities and become a part of Nashville’s downtown.

 

 

See a PowerPoint presentation of the new Sounds stadium development at Sulphur Dell.