Martin & Merritt Project Community Meeting Notes
Monday, April 7, 2025 | Diskin Cider, Nashville, TN
Executive Summary
The Martin & Merritt mixed-use development proposal in Wedgewood Houston remains in limbo as Council Member Terry Vo delays her decision on advancing the project. Despite SomeraRoad's two-year investment in preliminary work and strong community support at the meeting, the permitting process cannot begin without CM Vo's approval. The project would bring significant amenities to the neighborhood, including a boutique hotel, affordable artist housing, retail spaces, public plazas, and green spaces, while preserving historical architectural elements.
Project Status & Roadblocks
The development is currently stalled at a critical juncture. SomeraRoad presented revised plans addressing previous concerns about alleyway connections and pedestrian infrastructure, but CM Vo continues to withhold support despite factual corrections provided by the developer. Community frustration was evident regarding the lack of clarity on the decision-making timeline and process.
Revised Design Elements
SomeraRoad presented updated plans featuring:
- Construction of Hamilton Driveway connecting to the existing alley with turnaround
- Reintroduced a trident configuration, and reduced height for Residences
- Reduced height of hotel
- Commitment to not route client traffic through the alley
- Installation or funding of sidewalks along Hamilton from Hagen to Pillow
- Preservation of the neighborhood's industrial heritage through adaptive reuse of vintage millworks
NDOT representatives indicated they would approve connecting the alley to Merritt over the Hamilton option, though SomeraRoad firmly stated they have no intention to make this connection.
Community Sentiment
The meeting revealed a complex tapestry of neighborhood perspectives, with the majority of attendees expressing support for the project. The atmosphere in the room shifted noticeably when Andrew Donchez of SomeraRoad corrected CM Vo's assertion about opposition numbers, revealing that support letters significantly outnumbered opposition correspondence.
Supportive Voices
Many longtime residents viewed the development as a natural evolution of WeHo's artistic identity.
Several attendees spoke passionately about:
- The potential for affordable artist housing to preserve the neighborhood's creative character amid Nashville's rapid gentrification
- Enhanced walkability and public spaces that would foster community connections
- The economic ripple effect for existing small businesses and entrepreneurs
- The thoughtful preservation of historical elements that honor the area's industrial past
One resident, a 15-year WeHo artist, stated: "This neighborhood has always been about transformation and creation. This project seems to respect that history while giving us the infrastructure we desperately need."
Concerns and Opposition
A vocal minority expressed reservations about:
- The precedent of increased density and potential "domino effect" of similar developments
- The authenticity of the developer's commitment to affordability
- Traffic patterns already strained by existing construction projects
- The potential for the hotel element to shift neighborhood focus toward tourism
The discussion became heated when addressing perceived inequities in whose voices were being prioritized. SomeraRoad notably paused the meeting to address disparaging language used by some attendees regarding factory-built homes and resident tenure, emphasizing that all community perspectives deserved equal consideration.
Council Member Dynamics
CM Vo's reluctance to provide clarity on her decision-making process became a focal point of community frustration. Multiple residents directly questioned her about the timeline and criteria for her decision, with one attendee asking pointedly: "What exactly are you waiting for at this point?"
The tension between factual presentations and what SomeraRoad characterized as "alternate facts" presented by CM Vo created visible discomfort among attendees, with several community members audibly sighing during these exchanges.
Path Forward
If Council Member Vo provides her approval:
1. The planning commission would review the proposal
2. SomeraRoad would submit a special permit request
3. Metro Council would conduct three public readings/meetings
4. Building permits would be issued following Metro Council approval
Community members are encouraged to stay informed through WEHO Social updates, communicate their views to local officials, and attend future Metro Council meetings if the project advances.
The project's ultimate fate now rests with CM Vo's decision, leaving a potentially transformative neighborhood development in an uncertain position despite significant developer investment and apparent community support.
