Glen Echo Lands a Sidewalk Segment

A modest segment of sidewalk is being constructed in Green Hills along the north shoulder of Glen Echo Road and connecting the sidewalk at Hillsboro Road to the sidewalk running in front of the Metro library along Benham Avenue.

So what's the big deal?

Simply put, this might be Davidson County's first new sidewalk — and by "new" I mean a sidewalk where there had not been one (and not merely a replacement for an existing sidewalk) — in at least six months. For about a year now, I have received each Friday, via email, the Metro Public Works project update list. And it has been months since I last recalled seeing the announcement of a new sidewalk in the county. As a man who drools at the sight of new sidewalk construction (yes, sad), I closely check the weekly report.

I could be wrong. So if you are aware of new sidewalk construction from the past year and within the county, please post a comment noting so.

  

Portman/ESa Hotel Tower Assessment

Based on the rendering (and I'm open to the thought that this tower might be fairly attractive and functional), the tower portion of the proposed MCC anchor hotel building reminds me somewhat of a much taller version of the 3322 Building at West End and Murphy Road. The latter sports an exterior design that has not aged particularly well.

StudioEightDesign Delivers Deftly

A quick kudos to StudioEightDesign, which has delivered a marvelous update of the former Belcourt Avenue residence now home to Zumi Sushi Japanese Kitchen. Both the building's exterior and interior shine, with sleek, contemporary elements.

S8Design's Matthew K. "Matt" Taylor, project manager Anna Ruth Kimbrough and general contractor DWC Construction nailed this project.  

"[Anna Ruth] deserves the credit for creating the design vision and helping make sure it was carried out," Taylor said, adding that DWC skillfully executed the build-out on a tight schedule.

Attractive and suitable for Hillsboro Village, the Zumi space design is an outstanding example of a small-scale project that yielded large-scale results.