BLOX Dumped
🗑 DC BLOX gets data dumped by judge · Nashville’s Sheriff to step down · Pedestrian allegedly struck by WeGo bus files lawsuit · Much more!
Thank you Thank you to everyone who joined us at last night's speaker event. We're looking forward to seeing everyone next week at the third installment of Peter Thiel's series of lectures.
ICE in Nashville, By the Numbers Check out our new page that shows ICE arrests in Davidson County, including the 47 countries those people were deported to, how long they'd lived in the U.S., and a county-by-county map of the state. (See all the charts)
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The latest in the DC BLOX lawsuit against Metro in the zoo data center case.
From Megan Podsiedlik
Back in August, DC BLOX filed a federal lawsuit against Metro Nashville challenging the city’s temporary data center moratorium, which halted progress on the company’s proposed facility next to the Nashville Zoo.
Though the council passed a separate bill establishing eminent domain on the property, DC BLOX has not filed a suit against that legislation. In fact, DC BLOX could be in for a payday from Metro Government (DC BLOX paid $23 million for the property, but its most recent appraisal was about $37 million) if they’re forced to sell the land to the city.
According to the suit, DC BLOX alleges that Metro Nashville told them that the Grassmere Park property could be used for a data center, so they bought the 23-acre site next to the Nashville Zoo and began the permitting process. They claim their permits was vested under Tennessee law before Metro enacted a data center moratorium and put their permits on hold.
That said, U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson recently dismissed DC BLOX’s case, ruling that the company’s claims were too vague and unclear to proceed. This is a win for the Metro, though DC BLOX still has 21 days to try to fix and refile some of the claims.
Nashville Zoo leadership and its board strongly oppose the development and previously rejected a scaled-back Memorandum of Understanding from the developer.
“We’re also grateful to share that our petition has reached 600,404 signatures and counting!” reads an update from Nashville Zoo Communications. “Thank you to everyone who continues to stand with Nashville Zoo.”
✹ PAMPHLETEER TOOLS
Pamphleteer Tools Council Watch tells you who funds your councilmember and how they vote. The Property Tax Calculator tells you what that cost you.
HEADLINES
- 🚔 Nashville’s Sheriff to step down. Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall is retiring after 24 years as sheriff and 35 years in public service, with his last day set for Oct. 19, 2026. Hall, 62, is Nashville's longest-serving sheriff and was recently reelected to his seventh term; Metro Council will appoint an interim sheriff before voters choose the next sheriff in 2027. (NewsChannel 5)
- 🚌 Pedestrian allegedly struck by WeGo bus files lawsuit. A Nashville man who says he was struck by a WeGo Public Transit bus while crossing at a designated walkway has filed a lawsuit against the city, WeGo, and its CEO. The lawsuit alleges the driver failed to watch the road and yield the right of way; the pedestrian says he suffered brain, spine and pain-related injuries, medical expenses and lost wages and is seeking $200,000 in compensatory damages. (WKRN)
- 🌧️ Hurricane Isaias could bring heavy rain & gusty winds this weekend. Nashville and Middle Tennessee are in for a sunny, warm day, with temperatures reaching the upper 80s and a clear, cooler night in the mid-50s. The bigger weather concern comes this weekend, as remnants of Hurricane Isaias are expected to bring 1–3 inches of rain and wind gusts up to 40 mph to Middle Tennessee, with the heaviest rain Saturday and Saturday night. (WKRN)
DEVELOPMENT
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🎸 Tom Jones @ Ryman Auditorium, 7:30p, $265, Info
🥁 Live Jazz: Parker James, Paul DeFiglia & Anson Hohne @ Vinyl Tap, 7p, Free, Info
🎸 ZZ Top w/ Cheap Trick @ Ascend Amphitheater, 8p, $42, Info
🎸 Bleachers @ The Truth, 7:30p, $20, Info
🎻 A Close Encounter with the Music of John Williams @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, $69+, Info
🎙️ Open Mic @ Fox and Locke, 6:30p, Free, Info
🎸 Kelley's Heroes @ Robert's Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.