Cloud Hill abandons controversial project for Nashville's Greer Stadium

After months of criticism from historic preservationists and increasing political blowback for Mayor Megan Barry, the development team behind Cloud Hill — the much-disputed mixed-use plan for Nashville's Greer Stadium site — withdrew its controversial proposal Friday.

The abrupt retreat was announced in a statement by lead developer Bert Mathews that called the project "more complex than anticipated" and no longer viable to pursue.

It came as the mayor's office said a final archaeological review of the former minor league baseball stadium found it is "highly likely that human remains are still present" on portions of the city-owned site.

Historical records indicate they could be graves of slaves who built the Civil War-era Fort Negley, which is uphill from the abandoned stadium.

Barry: Greer future should honor Fort Negley history, bring community together

Barry, who had supported Cloud Hill, said the future of the Greer property now needs to better honor those who died building the fort — matching a demand pushed by those who have led the fight against Cloud Hill.

“The likelihood of graves means that we should reassess plans for this site so as to better honor and preserve the history of the men and women who died in the construction of a fort that helped save the Union,” Barry said in a statement timed with Cloud Hill's announcement.

►More: Mayor's office met with Cloud Hill a year before city kicked off Greer Stadium redevelopment

►More: Archaeologists: ‘High likelihood of human remains’ at Greer Stadium

“As we move forward, I want to see that whatever happens with the Greer Stadium site will honor that history, while bringing the community together around a shared vision," she added. "I have faith in the ability of all stakeholders to work together to identify and coalesce around this vision.”

Mathews, who had teamed with music producer T Bone Burnett and financier Tom Middleton on the project, said Cloud Hill was designed to "rethink the way we build communities."

Cloud Hill developer: 'Our proposal is no longer viable'

But he pointed to the complexities in developing the "extremely challenging site" as well as Metro's archaeological study, which he seemed to raise questions about.

More: Kix Brooks jumps into fight against Cloud Hill project at Nashville's Greer Stadium

“It has become clear that several issues, including the appropriate yet still uncertain approach to archaeology based on the recent report released by the city, have become more complex than anticipated," Mathews said. "We have, therefore, concluded that our proposal is no longer viable and must be withdrawn.

“We sincerely hope that Greer will become a place that serves the many diverse needs and interests of the surrounding neighbors and residents, and in which people from every neighborhood in Nashville will be welcome and safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."

Cloud Hill, which was planned as a mix of artist and music space, housing, retail and park space near the budding Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, was awarded an intent to contract by the city in May. The Barry administration had delayed moving forward on the project amid the city's archaeological study, first announced in August. The plan still required Metro Council and parks board approval.

► More: Cloud Hill developer pushes back at preservationists' criticism

Burnett had characterized Cloud Hill as a legacy project — "my baby," he called it — that had been on his radar for the last couple of years.

Talks between the mayor and the Cloud Hill team went back to 2015, more than a year before Metro started accepting proposals for the site.

'It shows you can fight city hall,' councilman says

But despite backing by a heavyweight team, the project was met with swift resistance from the outset that only widened over time.

Critics questioned the financing of the proposed 99-year lease deal, which would have had Cloud Hill's development team pay just $1 million over 10 years and pump $7 million in infrastructure upgrades into property appraised at $31.8 million by Metro. The developers would have collected 70 percent of the net cash flow from the site, with Metro taking in 30 percent.

►More: How much is Nashville's Greer Stadium property worth? Proposed deal under scrutiny

The Greer site, part of the original Fort Negley Park campus, also became the subject of a battle cry for historic preservation activists and park advocates who demanded that the land be reclaimed as park space that could be used by the public.

Cloud Hill opponents called the public land "hallowed ground" that should not be transferred to private development. Cloud Hills leaders had vowed to honor the site appropriately and not build if and where graves were found.

"It's a victory for Nashville's volunteer citizen army of historians, park advocates and neighbors who've proven that it's everybody's job to protect this city's great treasures," said at-large Councilman John Cooper, who led the fight from the council. "It shows you can fight city hall."

Archaeology report recommended portion of site be protected, reintegrated into park

The Tennessean reported on a preliminary archaeology study by Tennessee Valley Archaeological Research last month that found a high likelihood of human remains on the Greer site.

An updated final report, after more advanced trenches and shoveling, released Friday found that, despite multiple construction projects on the site over the years, multiple areas still contain intact human-created archaeological deposits.

►More: Alternative vision floated for Greer Stadium property: a city park

The new report recommends a portion of the area proposed for Cloud Hill "be protected with no land alteration taking place" and that it be "reintegrated into Fort Negley Park."

Fort Negley, built atop St. Cloud Hill from 1862 to 1864 during the Union Army’s occupation of Nashville, was constructed by some 2,700 slaves and free slaves. Hundreds are believed to have perished because of harsh conditions, and they are believed to be buried on the hillside.

The fort is considered the only stone inland fort used during the Civil War. But the fort has been largely neglected by the city, and forgotten by many for most of the past century.

Cloud Hill overcame a protest from a rival development bid, led by Devinder Sandhu, who argued the city unfairly awarded the bid.

In recent months, more than 4,700 people signed an online petition urging the city turn Greer, the former home of the Nashville Sounds, into urban park space.

►More: 'Nashville Nine' now just one: Preservationists go all-in for Fort Negley

And in an unprecedented move, the preservationist group Historic Nashville Inc. recast its annual "Historic Nine" listing of endangered properties into the "Nashville One" — Fort Negley.

"In this time, this weird political age we live in, right really did triumph over politics and power," said author and preservationist Robert Hicks of Franklin, who opposed the development.

"Now, this is our responsibility," he said. "We need to be sure that it doesn't fall back into a state of neglect — that once Greer is gone and the parking lots are gone, that money and time is spent."

Cloud Hill latest controversial project cleared off mayor's plate

Councilman Colby Sledge, who represents the Greer Stadium area, in an email to constituents said he's "disappointed that the Cloud Hill proposal didn't work out." He called the project a "unique solution" to challenges in his district such as affordable housing, accessible green space and commercial facilities for creative makers.

Sledge said he learned a great deal about Fort Negley, and its place in Nashville's African-American history, during this process, and that he's "still learning." He said he supports the new educational initiatives at the fort, adding that the communities around it "deserve to enjoy this site, to learn from it, and to take ownership and pride in it."

"I also hope that everyone who cares about this property will come together quickly to start working toward a solution," he said. "The worst possible outcome now would be a Greer Stadium site that continues to sit and rot."

►More: Mayor Megan Barry delays closure of inpatient care at Nashville General Hospital

For Barry, the Cloud Hill decision means she has stepped back from controversial projects on back-to-back days.

On Thursday, the mayor announced plans to delay a decision on ending inpatient care at Nashville General Hospital, a proposal that also had been roundly scrutinized. It comes as the mayor is seeking passage of a controversial referendum on funding for a $5.4 billion transit project on May 1.

Barry, who has been a staunch proponent of the Cloud Hill development, said the project was a plan that "even critics thought would be a welcome addition to the community, if perhaps at another site."

She said she regrets the city won't be able to move forward with the project but thanked the Cloud Hill team for "stepping up and helping us see what a sustainable, responsible, and equitable development could look like on this land.”

Reach Joey Garrison at jgarrison@tennessean.com or 615-259-8236 and on Twitter @Joeygarrison.