New proposal for Nashville's bomb-ravaged Second Ave.

A handsome brick building with a pedestrian mall connecting Second Avenue to First Avenue and the riverfront would replace the four buildings blown to pieces by the Christmas morning bombing, according to new renderings released Thursday.

Why it matters: The Callen family, which owns the properties, detailed their plans Thursday in a presentation to the city, quelling fears that the lots could sit vacant or be replaced with an out-of-place skyscraper.

• The pedestrian mall, akin to the nearby Printer's Alley, would be a first-of-its-kind connector in the historic district.

What they're saying: Mayor John Cooper's administration has prioritized saving Second Avenue, Nashville’s first-ever historic district.

• "The mayor expects a great product to arise out of the collaboration among city agencies, other stakeholders, and the owners of these four properties," Cooper spokesperson Andrea Fanta said.
• Councilmember Freddie O'Connell, who represents the area, told Axios that the new renderings could restore the neighborhood's character while revitalizing sleepier parts of the entertainment district, such as First Avenue.
• "In some ways it's as good an outcome as we could have secured," O'Connell said. "They have the potential to leave it better than they found it."