Martin & Merritt Project - Community FAQ
GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION
Q: What exactly is the Martin & Merritt Project?
A: The Martin & Merritt Project is a mixed-use development spanning two distinct parcels in Wedgewood-Houston. The Martin component (northern parcel, zoned IR - Industrial Restrictive) repurposes the former Martin Manufacturing warehouse into creative maker spaces, a food hall, and offices. The Merritt component (southern parcel, zoned RM20) includes 65 residential units in three-story buildings, creating a transition between commercial and residential areas.
Q: Who is developing this project?
A: The project is led by SomeraRoad, a national real estate investment and development firm with several completed and ongoing projects in Nashville, including other adaptive reuse projects in transitional neighborhoods.
Q: What is the current status of the project?
A: The project is currently in the review phase. The Martin component is undergoing Site Plan Review and Arts District Compatibility Review, while the Merritt component is being evaluated for compliance with residential design standards. Both components must receive Metro Planning Commission approval before proceeding.
Q: What is the timeline for approval and construction?
A: If approved by the Planning Commission, the project will proceed through three public Metro Council readings for the necessary rezoning. Construction would follow thereafter, with an estimated 18-24 month construction period. The Martin component is expected to begin first, with the Merritt residential portion following approximately 4-6 months later.
THE TWO COMPONENTS
Q: Why is the project split into two different parcels?
A: The project spans two distinct zoning districts—IR (Industrial Restrictive) and RM20 (Multi-Family Residential)—each with different permitted uses and development standards. This division allows the Martin component to maintain industrial character while the Merritt component provides appropriate residential transition.
Q: How will the two components connect?
A: A pedestrian plaza and landscaped pathway will connect the Martin and Merritt components, creating a coherent development while respecting the different characters of each zone. The transition area includes stepped building heights, landscaping, and shared public space amenities.
Q: Will the two components be built simultaneously?
A: The current construction plan shows the Martin component beginning first, with the Merritt residential portion starting 4-6 months later. This phased approach aims to minimize neighborhood disruption and address the different approval processes for each component.
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
Q: How tall will the buildings be?
A: The Martin component will preserve the existing 2-story warehouse height with a partial third-story addition set back from the façade. The Merritt residential buildings will be three stories (35 feet) at maximum, with lower heights (2 stories/24 feet) along the edges adjacent to existing single-family homes.
Q: How many residential units will be included?
A: The Merritt component includes 65 residential units: 24 townhomes and 41 stacked flats in three-story buildings. Unit sizes range from 700 sq ft (1BR) to 1,800 sq ft (3BR).
Q: Will there be affordable housing?
A: Yes, 15% of the residential units (10 units) will be designated as affordable for households earning 80% of Area Median Income. Additionally, 5 below-market rate artist live/work spaces will be included in the Martin component.
Q: How will the project preserve the industrial character of Wedgewood-Houston?
A: The Martin component will preserve the brick façade and structural elements of the historic warehouse. Design elements include exposed brick, large industrial windows, metal accents, and an interior atrium showcasing original trusses and machinery as public art installations.
TRAFFIC & PARKING
Q: How will this project affect traffic on Martin Street and Merritt Avenue?
A: A Traffic Impact Study conducted by RPM Transportation Consultants indicates a projected increase of approximately 120 vehicle trips during peak evening hours. To mitigate impacts, the development includes:
Separate entrances for the Martin and Merritt components
Left-turn lane on Merritt Avenue
Improved pedestrian crossings at Martin and Merritt intersection
Designated rideshare pickup/dropoff zones
Q: Will there be enough parking?
A: Yes. The Martin component provides 112 parking spaces (80 surface, 32 structured), exceeding the 95 required by code. The Merritt component includes 98 spaces (72 garage spaces within townhomes, 26 surface spaces), meeting the 98 required for residential use. Additionally, a shared parking agreement maximizes efficiency between daytime commercial and evening residential needs.
Q: How will construction traffic be managed?
A: A Construction Management Plan has been developed that includes:
Designated construction vehicle routes avoiding residential streets
Off-site parking for construction workers
Scheduled delivery windows to avoid peak traffic hours
Regular street cleaning
A neighborhood liaison to address concerns during construction
COMMUNITY BENEFITS
Q: What benefits will the community see from this project?
A:
Martin Component:
5,000 sq ft maker space with shared equipment and below-market rents
Public food hall featuring local vendors
8,000 sq ft public plaza with event space
Preservation of historic industrial elements
Merritt Component:
Affordable housing units
12,000 sq ft pocket park
Enhanced sidewalks and pedestrian connections
Stormwater management improvements benefiting surrounding properties
Q: Will this change the character of the neighborhood?
A: The project aims to enhance rather than fundamentally change the neighborhood character. The Martin component preserves industrial heritage through adaptive reuse, while the Merritt component provides a transitional scale between commercial and single-family areas. Community input has shaped numerous design elements to ensure compatibility.
COMMERCIAL USES
Q: What types of businesses will occupy the commercial spaces?
A: The Martin component will include:
A food hall featuring 8-10 local food vendors
Creative office space targeted to design professionals and tech startups
Maker spaces for artists and craftspeople
A small (2,500 sq ft) neighborhood-serving retail space
Q: Will there be loud bars or late-night establishments?
A: The project does not include plans for late-night bars or entertainment venues. The food hall will operate until 10pm on weekdays and 11pm on weekends, with sound mitigation measures in place. All commercial uses must comply with the noise limitations established in the IR zoning district.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & PROCESS
Q: How has the community been involved so far?
A: The development team has conducted extensive community engagement, including:
Four public community meetings
Two design charrettes with the Wedgewood-Houston Neighborhood Association
A project website with feedback mechanisms
Individual meetings with adjacent property owners
Presentations to the Arts District Committee
Q: What changes have been made based on community input?
A:
Reduced height of residential buildings adjacent to single-family homes
Increased setbacks along southern property line
Added public pocket park
Enhanced stormwater management systems
Expanded maker space allocation
Modified architectural details to better reflect neighborhood character
Q: What's next in the approval process?
A:
Planning Commission vote (scheduled for May 12)
Three Metro Council public readings for rezoning components (tentatively June-July)
Final Development Plan review
Building permit process
Q: How can I stay informed about updates?
A: You can:
Sign up for project updates at MartinAndMerrittProject.com
Attend monthly Wedgewood-Houston Neighborhood Association meetings
Contact the project's community liaison at community@martinandmerritt.com
Follow @WeHoDevelopment on social media platforms
CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS
Q: When will construction begin and how long will it last?
A: If approvals proceed as scheduled, site preparation would begin in Fall 2025, with the Martin component construction starting in early 2026. The entire project is expected to take 24-30 months, with the Martin component completing first, followed by the Merritt residential portion.
Q: How will construction noise and dust be managed?
A: The Construction Management Plan includes:
Compliance with Metro Nashville noise ordinances (work limited to 7am-7pm weekdays, 8am-5pm Saturdays)
Dust control measures including site watering and temporary fencing
Vibration monitoring for adjacent historic structures
Advanced notification of especially noisy construction phases
Regular cleanup of surrounding streets
Q: Will construction block neighborhood streets?
A: Lane closures will be limited and scheduled to minimize disruption. The Construction Management Plan includes:
No complete street closures on Martin Street or Merritt Avenue
Temporary lane closures limited to off-peak hours when necessary
Flaggers to direct traffic during deliveries
Preservation of pedestrian access throughout construction
ZONING AND REGULATIONS
Q: What zoning changes are required for this project?
A: The Martin component requires no zoning changes as the proposed uses are permitted within the IR (Industrial Restrictive) zone. The Merritt component requires a Specific Plan (SP) rezoning from RM20 to allow for the proposed townhome configuration and shared amenities.
Q: Who reviews and approves the different components?
A:
Martin Component: Metro Planning Department, Industrial Districts Design Review Committee, Arts District Advisory Committee
Merritt Component: Metro Planning Department, Metro Planning Commission, Metro Council
Q: What happens if only one component is approved?
A: While designed as a cohesive development, each component can function independently if necessary. The developers have contingency plans that would allow either component to proceed if the other faces delays, though their strong preference is for the complete vision to be realized.
PROPERTY VALUES AND NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT
Q: How might this project affect surrounding property values?
A: Based on similar developments in Nashville and other cities, well-executed mixed-use projects typically have a positive effect on surrounding property values. The preservation of industrial character in the Martin component and the appropriate scale of the Merritt component are designed to enhance neighborhood character while minimizing negative impacts.
Q: Will this project lead to increased property taxes for nearby homeowners?
A: Property tax assessments are conducted by the Metro Nashville Property Assessor's Office independent of specific development projects. While neighborhood improvements generally contribute to property value increases over time, any potential tax impacts would be subject to assessment cycles and tax rate determinations by Metro Government.
Q: How will stormwater runoff be managed?
A: The project includes comprehensive stormwater management features:
Underground detention system sized 15% beyond code requirements
Permeable pavement in plaza and parking areas
Bioretention areas in the pocket park
Green roof elements on portions of both components
These systems are designed to improve current conditions and reduce flooding concerns on adjacent properties.
