Most of us think of Nashville as a picturesque, serenely historic place. It is home to country music and much more. On Christmas 2020, however, Music City - specifically Second Avenue - was rocked by a tremendous blast. It evidently originated in a parked recreational vehicle. That emergency stunned the nation on a day usually reserved for exchanging gifts, getting together with friends and family, and quietly pondering the religious meaning of the holiday. Amidst the uneasiness caused by a rampant global pandemic, the shock generated by the explosion reached far beyond Nashville.
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Now, however, the newly revitalized Second Avenue is officially rising again. Per the Nashville Banner, on December 22, three days before Christmas, that storied street was "entirely open to vehicles and pedestrians for the first time since the bombing."
What Took Place on Christmas 2020 on Second Avenue
Per the outlet, on Christmas Day 2020, Anthony Warner, 63, allegedly parked an RV that was set to explode on Second Avenue. Amazingly, he was the sole person who perished. Eight were hurt by the blast. Property damage was unfortunately very extensive. Sixty-five buildings were impacted, including residences and businesses. To this day, the motive behind such an act is not known.
The Rebuilding Process Has Been Gradual; More Remains To Be Done
The pandemic was already upending life as we knew it in late 2020. The world was reeling. That was the backdrop for the explosion. Mike Duguay of Mike's Ice Cream, a business on Second Avenue, summarized the situation after the Xmas incident, per the outlet. "We rely on Second Avenue looking friendly to walk down from Broadway. That is 90 percent of the key to success on Second Avenue. After the bombing, it did not look friendly." It would be a long time indeed before that "friendly look" would once again return to Second Avenue.
Some Things Will Never Be the Same
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell sees the revival of Second Avenue through a realistic lens. "The impact of displacement — it leaves scars in a community. Whether that's businesses like the Old Spaghetti Factory that won't reopen or people who used to live in buildings that have not yet been rebuilt. ... There's some stuff there that doesn't come back."
