Getahn Ward

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

Proposals are due March 20 under the request for qualifications from the Regional Transportation Authority.

The authority desires to retain ownership of the five acres while entering arrangements such as a long-term land lease.

Apartments, condos, student housing, retail, restaurant and office are among the mix of uses envisioned for the land.

Donelson Station is the first stop outside of downtown on the Music City Star commuter rail line.

Proposals are being sought from developers for a partnership in a transit-oriented development on just over five acres that adjoins the Donelson Station train stop on the Music City Star commuter rail line.

Under the request for qualifications that the Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee issued Tuesday, proposals are due March 20 with the authority desiring to retain ownership of the site while entering public/private arrangements that could include a long-term land lease. Apartments, condos, student housing, retail, restaurant and office are among the mix of uses envisioned for the land, which the authority bought for $937,800 in 2014.

A project on the site would mark the latest attempt in the Nashville area at transit-oriented development along the Music City Star route that runs between downtown Nashville and Wilson County to the east.

In Lebanon, Hamilton Springs is moving forward with construction underway on the first retail building. A groundbreaking is expected soon on 255 senior living apartments, while the Regional Transportation Authority plans a new train stop next to the existing tracks.

Metro Councilman Jeff Syracuse sees a development on the five acres near Donelson Station and future plans Holladay Properties has for a potential transit-oriented project on the Donelson Plaza shopping center site bringing closer to reality vision of a Downtown Donelson that's a walkable, mixed-use town center. "Between the two, you have a synergy that's going to have strong redevelopment potential," he said.

Mechanical engineer Mark Kurzynske is among area property owners anxious to see what takes shape on the five adjacent acres that's targeted for a transit oriented development. "Transportation is vital because traffic is becoming a snarling mess whether you're on Interstate 40 trying to come downtown or whether you're on Lebanon Pike," said Kurzynske, who owns a 7,000 square foot retail building on roughly an acre at 2705 Lebanon Pike that adjoins the five acres. "It's great that they're putting on emphasis on mass transit from the Donelson area to downtown because it's certainly needed."

Developer Derek Lisle has a contract on two vacant parcels totaling 1.8 acres at 2703 Lebanon Pike, which is directly adjacent to the park-and-ride lots at Donelson Station, which is near the corner of Donelson and Lebanon pikes. "I'm a big believer in transit-oriented development, and given that there's a need for mass transit and affordable and attainable housing in Nashville, there's a great opportunity in Donelson being the first stop outside of downtown," he said.

Lisle is considering a mix of uses for the site he has under contract, including residential dwellings that would cater to people who work downtown and want an urban living experience but can't afford to live in Germantown or Midtown.

Under the request for qualifications Issued by the RTA, proposals would be evaluated based on experience and qualifications, financial capability and vision of the proposer including conceptual drawings and renderings. The five acres have commercial service zoning that's intended for retail, consumer service, financial, restaurant, office, new auto sales, self-storage, light manufacturing and small warehouse uses.

Reach Getahn Ward at gward@tennessean.com or 615-726-5968 and on Twitter @getahn.