FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2014
CONTACT: Joe Siekakowski
TEL: 615 715-8395
EMAIL: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CELL TOWER THREATENS HISTORIC NASHVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD
Homeowners in Historic Bluefields Subdivision Fight Back
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – Residents of the historic Bluefields neighborhood in Donelson were shocked when they learned the Nashville & Eastern Railroad and AT&T had already begun the process of erecting a 120-foot cell tower mere yards from their historic homes. An obvious eyesore and potential health hazard, neighbors argue that cell towers built in residential neighborhoods are proven to harm property values and can be dangerous. Yet despite mounting issues with the tower’s chosen location, residents have been told it is a “done deal.” They are now fighting back.
Nashville has been in the national spotlight as an up-and-coming city drawing both new businesses and residents. The city has seen a revitalization of areas like East Nashville, 12th South, and Sylvan Park, and Donelson has not been left out. With the creation of the community organization “Hip Donelson,” a new farmers market (on of the biggest in Nashville), Cupcake Collection opening its second location there, and the fact it is only six miles from downtown, Donelson is no longer simply “the area near the airport.” However, the Railroad’s push to build a cell tower in Donelson’s oldest neighborhood greatly threatens that progress.
The tower would be located near the intersection of Donelson Pike and the railroad crossing near Fifty Forward. If felled, the tower would land only a few feet from the roofs of homes in Bluefields subdivision. The base would be 30x50 feet with an eight-foot tall barbed wire fence surrounding it. Hundred-year-old trees that currently provide an important barrier between the homes and the railroad tracks would be removed. As a result, the homes along the rail line would lose their sound and sight barrier and would now be wide open to both the railroad and Donelson Pike.
Neighbors have come up with alternate locations only yards from the chosen site, but suggestions seem to have fallen on deaf ears. They also requested environmental impact study results, as the area where the tower will be built may contain toxic pollutants from railway line fuel and equipment dumping. To date, they have been denied access to these reports.
Railroad representatives argue they can build cell towers on railway property anywhere in the United States due to the current state of Federal law. This should be a concern for any community along rail lines, including the new Hamilton Springs development in Wilson County that was recently awarded a $1.6 million grant for a commuter rail station and will become Middle Tennessee’s first transit-oriented development.
Media Invited to Join Bluefield Neighbors at Annual Picnic
If you would like to learn more about this unfolding story and meet a wide variety of Historic Bluefields Neighbors including folks that have lived in Bluefields for over 50 years as well as new neighbors that moved to our neighborhood last week we invite all members of the media to join Kara & Joe Siejakowski and our fellow neighbors for our Historic Bluefields Annual Picnic which will be held on Saturday June 14th, 2014 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at:
Historic Bluefields Annual Picnic
The Siejakowski's
4:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m.
Media will be have access to neighbors, homes and private greenspace area that is connected to the proposed cell tower location to get a full understanding of the impact this proposed cell tower will have (we’ll even serve you a hamburger!)
**
For further information concerning this controversial cell tower, pictures of the proposed tower, and more information on the history of the Bluefields Neighborhood, please go to http://www.historicbluefields.com or contact Joe Siejakowski (615) 715-8395 or Peter Beare (615) 504-6845 at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Print hard copy of Press Release - Click Here
