The Great Hotel Hullabaloo: A Neighbor’s Take on Wedgewood Houston’s Never-Ending Development Drama
Well, folks, we’ve done it again. Another month, another deferral for the hotel project that’s become Wedgewood Houston’s answer to Groundhog Day. Except instead of Bill Murray reliving the same day over and over, we’ve got a Planning Commission reliving the same meeting every few months for the past two years
I’m writing this from my front porch on Merritt Avenue, close enough to the proposed hotel site that I could probably throw a well-aimed parking cone at it (though my husband has made it clear that’s not an acceptable form of community engagement). As someone who will literally look at this thing from my mailbox, I figure I’ve got some skin in this game.
The Deferral Derby: A Nashville Tradition
Last week, Council Member Terry Vo rode into the Planning Commission meeting like a knight in shining armor, requesting deferral number nine (but who’s counting?) because the developer won’t shrink the hotel down to her preferred 125 rooms.
Now, I appreciate Terry’s dedication to community input—really, I do. But at this point, asking for more community meetings is like asking for more cowbell. We’ve had over 10 community meetings. The developer has shared his personal phone number more freely than a teenager on spring break. If we have any more community input sessions, we’re going to need to start serving dinner and charging admission.
The SNAP Drama: When Neighbors Become Conspiracy Theorists
Speaking of community meetings, let me tell you about my favorite subplot in this ongoing soap opera. A SNAP (South Nashville Action People) board member recently made some… interesting… accusations about a neighbor who started a neighborhood organization.
This board member essentially claimed—with all the subtlety of a neon sign in a meditation garden—that said neighbor is actually a “beard” for SomeraRoad (you know, the folks building the Martin & Merritt project down my street). The implication being that this neighbor is basically a fraud, pretending to represent community interests while secretly working for developers.
Now, I happen to know this neighbor pretty well (waves from porch), and let me tell you: if he’s secretly on SomeraRoad’s payroll, somebody forgot to tell his bank account. The man still drives a 14 year old car and and buys Prosecco in bulk quantities to save a few bucks. If he’s a corporate shill, he’s doing it wrong.
But here’s the beautiful irony: while this SNAP board member is busy spinning conspiracy theories about fake grassroots organizations, SomeraRoad’s Martin & Merritt project—the one they’re supposedly puppeteering—has been moving forward with actual community support and millions in real financing. Apparently, their “beard” operation is so sophisticated that they convinced a quarter-billion dollars in investment money to play along with the charade.
The Case of the Mysterious Single Review
Here’s where things get even more interesting (and by interesting, I mean “worthy of an eye roll that could power a small wind turbine”). Terry has cited a single negative review from a former Aparium employee as evidence that this hotel operator is bad news.
Let me get this straight: We’re going to make a multi-million-dollar development decision based on one anonymous internet complaint? By that logic, I should probably tear down my house because someone said my house is “aggressively black” at the last WEHO Social.
Aparium’s Jasper Hotel has a 4.4-star rating across nearly 300 reviews. Their properties regularly appear on Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler lists. But sure, let’s focus on the one person who was probably upset they couldn’t take home the fancy soap from the supply closet.
Size Matters (Or Does It?)
She wants the hotel capped at 125 rooms,while the developer is proposing something larger. Meanwhile, literally down the street from me, SomeraRoad just secured multi million dollars in financing for their Martin & Merritt project, which includes a 150ish room hotel.
Over Two-hundred and fifty MILLION dollars, people. That’s not Monopoly money—that’s real investors betting real cash that a hotel of this size works in Wedgewood Houston. But apparently, we’re supposed to ignore this massive vote of confidence happening in our own backyard because… reasons?
The Economics of Stubbornness
Look, I get it. Nobody wants their neighborhood to turn into Times Square South. But there’s a difference between thoughtful development and development paralysis.
Every month we delay this project, we’re potentially losing:
- Construction jobs for locals (and trust me, we’ve got folks who could use the work)
- Hotel jobs that don’t require a college degree but pay decent wages
- Property tax revenue that funds our schools and services
- The foot traffic that keeps our local businesses afloat
Meanwhile, that empty lot continues to be a monument to… well, emptiness. Very inspiring.
The Martin & Merritt Reality Check
Here’s the thing that really gets me: AJ Capital project, Wedgewood Village, is happening literally down the street. They’re building somewhere around x apartments, and adaptively reusing the old industrial building and Merritt Mansion building. The community has embraced it. Local businesses are moving in. It’s exactly the kind of development we say we want.
But somehow, a much smaller projectl a few blocks away is treated like they’re proposing to build a replica of the Las Vegas Strip complete with dancing fountains and a Céline Dion residency.
And apparently, anyone who points this out is automatically suspect as a developer plant. Because clearly, the only way someone could support reasonable development in their own neighborhood is if they’re being paid to do it. It couldn’t possibly be that they actually live here and want to see thoughtful growth rather than eternal stagnation.
The Aparium Advantage
Let’s talk about what we’re actually getting here. Aparium doesn’t build generic roadside motels with continental breakfast featuring stale bagels and “coffee” that tastes like it was filtered through gym socks.
specialize in boutique hotels that celebrate local character. Their Hotel Heron in Alexandria has 134 rooms and maintains the neighborhood feel. Their Surety Hotel in Des Moines is a beloved community anchor. These aren’t hotels that bulldoze local culture—they’re designed to enhance it.
What I Actually Want to See
Don’t get me wrong—I’m not blindly pro-development (despite what certain SNAP board members might whisper at their meetings). I want this project done right. During this latest deferral (lucky number nine!), here’s what I’d like to see:
Concrete community benefits: Local hiring commitments, not just vague promises
Design standards: Make sure it fits our neighborhood aesthetic
Clear approval benchmarks: So we’re not still doing this dance in 2027
Real employment standards: If Terry’s worried about wages, let’s get specific commitments
The Bigger Picture
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Wedgewood Houston is changing whether we like it or not. The question isn’t whether development will happen—it’s whether we’ll have good development or bad development.
We can keep deferring every project until developers give up and sell to someone who’ll build generic apartment complexes with names like “The Residences at Millennial Manor” (complete with a “community” dog park the size of a suburban bathroom). Or we can work with quality developers who want to build something special.m
And we can keep letting community organizations tear each other apart with conspiracy theories and accusations of fraud, or we can focus on the actual issues at hand.
Time to Fish or Cut Bait
Two years, folks. Two years of meetings, deferrals, revisions, and community input. At some point, we need to make a decision. Even my grandmother’s committee to decide what to serve at the church potluck moves faster than this.
The July meeting is coming up. Let’s use it to finalize the details and move forward, not to schedule deferral number ten. Because at this rate, my future caretakers will be writing blog posts about the hotel project that’s been “under consideration” since the Biden administration.
Final Thoughts from the Porch
I’m going to wrap this up because my husband is calling me in for dinner, and I’ve learned that delaying dinner is even more dangerous than delaying hotel projects.
Look, I want what’s best for Wedgewood Houston. I want thoughtful development that respects our character while bringing economic opportunity. I want a hotel that makes our neighborhood stronger, not one that overwhelms it.
But most of all, I want to stop having the same conversation every three months like we’re stuck in some sort of municipal Groundhog Day. And I want us to stop eating our own with baseless accusations every time someone dares to have a different opinion about development.
Let’s get this done, Nashville. Our neighborhood deserves better than eternal deferral purgatory and paranoid infighting.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go practice my “aggressively black” mailbox presentation for the next community meeting. And maybe check my bank account to see if those developer checks finally cleared.
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Earnest Morgan is a longtime Wedgewood Houston resident, occasional blogger, professional haver-of-opinions-about-local-development, and definitely-not-a-corporate-shill (seriously, check his transportation. He can be reached at earnest.morgan@email.com, though he promises to respond faster than the processes hotel applications.
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Tags: WedgewoodHouston Nashville Development PlanningCommission CommunityEngagement HotelProject LocalPolitics SNAP CommunityDram
Martin and Merritt Project Needs Your Support at Planning Commission Meeting.
Critical Planning Commission Meeting - Thursday, June 12th - Your Voice Needed
We need your immediate attention and support for a critical development in the Martin and Merritt mixed-use project that has been three years in the making.
Current Situation
The Planning Commission has recommended APPROVAL for the Martin and Merritt project, which is a significant milestone after extensive community input and project modifications. However, we've just learned that Council Member Terry Vo plans to appear at Thursday's Planning Commission meeting to speak in OPPOSITION to the project, despite the professional recommendation for approval.
What's at Stake
This mixed-use development represents a transformative opportunity for our neighborhood, featuring:
Boutique hotel (Aparium brand, 160 keys maximum) providing jobs and economic activity
Affordable housing for artists (150 units maximum) preserving our creative community
Ground-floor retail spaces (7,500 SF) supporting local businesses
Martin Street Plaza for community events
Pocket park and revitalized 20-foot alleyway with landscaped buffers adding green space
Underground parking reducing street congestion
Preservation of vintage millworks maintaining neighborhood character
Enhanced sidewalks and pedestrian improvements along Hamilton Avenue
The Facts
Over the past three years and through 12 community meetings, SomeraRoad has:
Made over 1,000 modifications to address community concerns
Reduced building height significantly
Eliminated the controversial Hamilton Street access
Reduced the overall number of units
Committed to funding sidewalk improvements
Provided detailed economic justification for all project components
Most Recent Collaborative Efforts and Final Project Revision
In the final phase of planning, SomeraRoad has worked extensively with:
NDOT (Nashville Department of Transportation):
Coordinated on alley and driveway connections
NDOT approved connecting the alley to Merritt over the Hamilton option
Received official transportation department input on traffic flow solutions
Immediate Neighbors:
Direct collaboration with residents bordering the project site
Three residents living directly across from the proposed location are extremely vocal supporters
Addressed specific concerns of those most directly impacted by the development
Incorporated feedback from those who will experience daily interaction with the project
Active Engagement with Council Member Terry Vo:
Ongoing direct communication and collaboration attempts
Provided requested documentation including detailed hotel economics letter from Aparium
Addressed every specific concern raised during her tenure
Made additional modifications based on her feedback
Demonstrated willingness to work collaboratively on all feasible requests
Final Project Revision - Securing Neighborhood Support
Most Recent Submission (Case No. 2025SP-005-001) represents the culmination of three years of community input:
Reduced Scale After Community Concessions:
Hotel reduced to 160 keys maximum (down from original proposal)
Building height capped at 6 stories (responding to height concerns)
Total building square footage: 325,000 SF maximum (including all uses)
150 residential units maximum (balanced density)
Underground parking (addressing street parking concerns)
Enhanced Community Benefits:
Martin Street Plaza for community events and gatherings
Pocket park and revitalized alleyway (20-foot width with 4-foot buffers)
Sidewalk improvements along Hamilton from Hagen to Pillow
Ground-floor retail spaces (7,500 SF) supporting local businesses
Affordable housing for artists preserving neighborhood character
Technical Compliance:
Follows Wedgewood Houston Community Character Policy maximum recommended zoning
Consistent with T4 Urban Mixed Use Neighborhood designation
Meets all Metro zoning and stormwater requirements
Professional architectural and engineering review completed
This final revision secured overwhelming neighborhood support through meaningful concessions while maintaining project viability.
Community support is strong: Support letters significantly outnumber opposition letters, and the majority of residents at recent meetings have voiced support for moving forward, including those most directly affected by the project. The final project revision (Case No. 2025SP-005-001) secured overwhelming neighborhood support through meaningful concessions while maintaining economic viability.
CM Vo's Opposition Despite Extensive Collaboration
Despite active collaboration and good-faith efforts to work together, Council Member Vo is opposing the project based on her demand to reduce the hotel from the current 160 keys to 125 keys. However:
The developer has extensively addressed this concern:
Economic reality: Hotel economics require a minimum of 150 keys to be viable
Already reduced: The final submission shows 160 keys maximum - a significant reduction from the original proposal
Professional confirmation: Aparium (the hotel operator) provided a detailed, thoughtful letter explaining operational efficiencies and economic requirements
Industry standards: Hotels under 75 rooms typically don't perform well; Aparium prefers not to invest in projects under 150 keys
Collaborative response: When asked for documentation, SomeraRoad immediately provided the requested letter from their hotel partner
CM Vo's response to collaboration efforts:
Dismissed the professional hotel operator's detailed economic justification with "I don't believe that response"
Minimal impact difference: The difference between 125 and 160 keys has negligible impact on traffic, noise, or neighborhood character
Moving goal posts: Despite addressing every other request over three years and reducing the hotel size in the final submission, this demand threatens the entire project's viability
Why This Matters Now
Thursday's Planning Commission meeting is critical. If the project doesn't move forward:
We lose a significant economic development opportunity
The vacant lot remains undeveloped
Years of community input and developer investment are wasted
Our neighborhood loses planned amenities and improvements
Your Voice is Needed - Thursday, June 12th
Planning Commission Meeting Details:
Date: Thursday, June 12th
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: 700 President Ronald Reagan Way, Howard Office Building, Sonny West Conference Center (1st Floor)
Our project: Item #8-10 on the agenda (early in the meeting)
How You Can Help
Attend the meeting if possible - your physical presence demonstrates community support
Speak during public comment (you'll have the opportunity if there's opposition)
Stay informed and share accurate information with neighbors
Contact other council members to express support
What to Say if You Speak
If you choose to speak at the meeting, consider mentioning:
Your address and length of residence
You will be asked to fill out a short “Request to Speak” form
Specific benefits you see from the project
How the developer has responded to community input
The professional recommendation for approval should be respected
The economic benefits to the neighborhood
Your support for moving forward
Speaking to the Commission: Anyone can speak before the Commission during a public hearing. A Planning Department staff member presents each case, followed by the applicant, community members opposed to the application, and community members in favor. Community members may speak for two minutes each. Representatives of neighborhood groups or other organizations may speak for five minutes if written notice is received before the meeting. Applicants may speak for ten minutes, with the option of reserving two minutes for rebuttal after public comments are complete. Councilmembers may speak at the beginning of the meeting, after an item is presented by staff, or during the public hearing on that Item, with no time limit. If you intend to speak during a meeting, you will be asked to fill out a short “Request to Speak” form. Items set for consent or deferral will be listed at the start of the meeting. Meetings are conducted in accordance with the Commission’s Rules and Procedures.
Key Messages
Professional recommendation: Planning staff recommends approval after thorough review
Comprehensive collaboration: Three years of input and modifications, plus recent intensive work with NDOT, immediate neighbors, and CM Vo demonstrate exceptional responsiveness
Neighbor support: Those most directly impacted - residents living across from the project - are strong supporters
Technical approval: NDOT has provided official approval for transportation solutions
Economic necessity: Project components are sized based on economic viability and industry standards, not arbitrary numbers
Good faith efforts: Developer has consistently worked collaboratively and provided all requested documentation
Neighborhood benefits: Jobs, amenities, and improvements outweigh concerns
Majority support: Community support significantly outweighs opposition, including from those most directly affected
Moving Forward
If the Planning Commission approves the project despite CM Vo's opposition, it will move to Metro Council for three readings. We'll need continued community support throughout that process.
This is our chance to support a project that will benefit our neighborhood for decades to come. The planning professionals have done their job and recommend approval. Now we need to ensure our voices are heard louder than political opposition.
Questions?
Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions or if you need more information about the project details or meeting logistics.
Thank you for your continued support of responsible development in Wedgewood Houston.
Together, we can ensure this beneficial project moves forward.
This email is from concerned residents supporting the Martin and Merritt development. For project details, click here.
