About the Gulch
The Gulch is dynamic mixed-use LEED certified community in the heart of Nashville. The neighborhood was the 1st LEED ND neighborhood in the South with a strong focus on connectivity, walkability and public transportation. Conveniently located on the southwest border of Nashville’s Central Business District just two blocks from Music City Center, the vibrant urban development and redevelopment is home to the very best in urban living, office, retail, restaurant, entertainment venues and hospitality.
History
Once the site of Nashville’s bustling railroad yard with origins dating to before the Civil War, the Gulch fell into neglect following World War II. The Gulch received its name from the natural geographic depression arching throughout the 110-acre development. A sparsely occupied area for nearly 50 years, urban revitalization began when the Turner family took hold of the land in the early 2000’s. Through numerous public and private sector initiatives, MarketStreet Enterprises and other development companies continue to transform the dynamic ever changing landscape of the vibrant neighborhood.
GBID
Spearheaded by MarketStreet Enterprises in 2006, neighborhood residents, business and property owners came together and voted to form a Business Improvement District and petitioned Metro Council to authorize the Gulch Business Improvement District (GBID). This property based assessment fee serves the initiatives agreed to by the organizing property owners. The current GBID term is Jan 1, 2017 - December 31, 2026.
The purpose of the GBID is to focus additional services for the area. The most visible service is the Clean and Safe program. Employees of the Nashville Downtown Partnership are present in the neighborhood daily providing trash pick up and graffiti removal. Other GBID programs include additional landscaping and holiday decorations for the Gulch streetscape. The GBID is also responsible for neighborhood marketing initiatives to support Gulch-based businesses.
In addition to Metro police officers patrolling the neighborhood, Nashville Downtown Partnership Ambassadors rotate on Segway through The Gulch. Requests for these services and more can be made online.
The GBID is governed by a volunteer board of directors elected by the property owners. The board members include residents, property owners, and commercial tenants. The board has contracted with the Nashville Downtown Partnership for administrative service support and providing the Clean and Safe services for the neighborhood.
LEED
MarketStreet Enterprises spearheaded the initiative to pursue LEED-ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - Neighborhood Development) certification for the Gulch with LEED facilitator Looney Ricks Kiss as soon as the pilot program was launched. After an 18-month effort, MarketStreet received official confirmation that the Gulch achieved LEED ND certification at the Silver level in January 2009. With this certification, The Gulch has earned recognition for excellence in the built environment and a place among the finest developments incorporating the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green design.
The Gulch was the tenth project in the United States to be awarded the LEED ND distinction and the thirteenth LEED ND project in the world. As a Silver certified plan, The Gulch was the fourth project in the world with that designation. The neighborhood continues to be a model for sustainable community design in the region.
GREEN GULCH FACTS
- 490 daily bus trips available at 16 bus stops within a quarter mile walk of the Gulch
- Over 10,000 area jobs are located within a half mile walk of the Gulch
- On-street parking is available on 73 percent of new streets in th Gulch
- Businesses and residents are within a quarter mile of bike and walking paths
- 20 diverse amenities inside the neighborhood
- 82 percent of old Javanco/Farber buildings reused to create mixed-use projects
- Music City Circuit has 46 daily stops at 5 stops in the Gulch
- Using efficient L.E.D. traffic signals saves 90 percent in energy costs vs. old signals
LEED BUILDINGS
- 1201 Demonbreun
- Gulch Crossing
- Pine Street Flats
- Terrazzo
- Twelve Twelve