BLOXed Out & Cashing In?
🦓 Metro’s DC BLOX battle could come at a cost · TN tourists spent $89M a day in 2025 · Lee backs Hatcher over Trump-backed Ogles · Much more!
Augustapalooza Two chances for you to schmooze next month. The special guest for our monthly event is writer Scott Greer here to talk about his new book, and separately, we're partnering with children's book publisher Chapter House for a mom's night out (with open bar) the Saturday before. (Greer Info, Mom Info)
Tomorrow's election day! Voter guide & TN U.S. Congressional District lookup Use your address to find your new congressional district here. Check out The Pamphleteer's quick voting guide.
Like what we do? Forward us to a friend.
No data center, no problem: how DC BLOX could walk away a winner if Metro buys them out.
From Megan Podsiedlik
Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s condemnation legislation to acquire the 23-acre property next to the Nashville Zoo—now owned by DC BLOX and slated for a data center—was the final item on Tuesday night's six-hour Metro Council agenda.
Although the measure ultimately passed, it does not mean Metro will acquire the property or thwart DC BLOX's plans. It does, however, authorize the city to pursue eminent domain—a move that could ultimately result in a multimillion-dollar payout to DC BLOX.
During Monday's Budget & Finance Committee meeting, Councilmember Courtney Johnston warned that pursuing eminent domain could saddle Metro with a multimillion-dollar payout to DC BLOX and a lengthy, costly legal battle. She started by explaining that Metro would first have to make an offer:
“The owner of the property has 30 days to object to that or accept it. And if they object to it, then the judge is going to decide if we have the right to possession. If we have the right to possession, there's no going back at that point. Valuation is determined after that point, which will probably be decided by a jury, because I don't think DC BLOX is going to agree with what Metro thinks that the property is worth. This is dangerous. I just want people to know that."
Show Me The Money Councilmember Quin Evans Segall proposed an amendment to encourage transparency that was ultimately adopted by the council.
“Under state law, the appraisals that are used for condemnation proceedings are not subject to public records, and this one has a particularly high price tag,” said Evans Segall. “The current tax appraisal is $37 million, which is the floor under state law.”
Evans Segall’s amendment ensures that the valuation used for negotiation will be made public and gives the council the opportunity to decide against pursuing eminent domain.
Slippery Slope of Eminent Domain “Condemnation is generally for projects that we need a particular property for something very specific that it cannot be done in any other way,” said Councilmember Ginny Welsch during last night’s meeting. “This is a gross misuse because this is simply taking someone's private property because right now there's a very emotional issue surrounding it. The fear when you start going down this slope is that we will just start creating other emergencies and very emotional issues where we are going to decide that we have, as a government, a right to simply take people's property away. It's just a gross misuse of condemnation, as far as I'm concerned.”
Bill sponsor Rollin Horton appeared eager to advance the legislation with as little debate as possible. Likewise, Councilmember Emily Benedict was disappointed after unsuccessfully moving to end discussion before it began.
Despite concerns from several members about the potential financial and legal consequences, the council approved the measure. However, multiple members emphasized that they only supported the legislation because they believe the body will still have an opportunity to weigh in before Metro moves forward with any actual condemnation action.
✹ AUGUST PAMPHLETEER EVENTS
Two Opportunities to Mix and Mingle. In addition to our regular, third Thursday get-together with special guest Scott Greer who is here to talk about his new book Whitepill, we're partnering with children's book publisher Chapter House to host a Mom's Night Out in support of their new line of high-quality children's classics.
For the Whitepilled event with Scott Greer, the first 50 guests to RSVP with code PILLED will receive free admittance. RSVP here.
HEADLINES
- 💰 Tennessee tourists spent $89M a day in 2025. Tennessee's tourism industry set another record in 2025, with visitors spending $32.5 billion statewide—about $89 million every day. The state welcomed 147 million visitors, generating $3.3 billion in state and local tax revenue while supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, with tourism officials crediting continued investment in attractions and marketing. (Tennessean)
- ✅ Lee endorses Hatcher for Congress over Trump-backed Ogles in TN-5. Governor Bill Lee publicly endorsed Charlie Hatcher in the Republican primary for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District, backing the challenger over incumbent Representative Andy Ogles. The endorsement is significant for Hatcher in one of Tennessee's most closely watched congressional primaries, though the last time Lee crossed against a Trump endorsement was when he backed incumbent Jon Lundberg against Trump's support for Bobby Harshbarger for state senate. Trump won that round, referring to Lee as a RINO in the spat. (Governor Lee)
- 🚌 More free bus passes. Metro and WeGo are expanding eligibility for the Journey Pass program, allowing more Davidson County residents who receive Metro social services to ride WeGo buses for free. The expansion is funded through the voter-approved Choose How You Move transportation program and comes after strong demand during the pilot phase. (WeGo)
- 🏁 Progressive state Rep. Aftyn Behn comes out in support of racetrack preservation. State Representative Aftyn Behn is urging preservation of the historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, arguing the racetrack is an important cultural and community asset that should not be displaced by redevelopment. In a Substack post, she says preserving the speedway and investing in surrounding neighborhoods are compatible goals. (Aftyn Behn)
✹ PROPERTY TAX CALCULATOR
What Moved Your Bill? Use our handy new tool to see what contributed to your property tax bill increase: the reappraisal or the rate hike. (Try It Out)
DEVELOPMENT
- Chicago's Gibsons Restaurant Group plans to open a steakhouse at 414 Union Building in spring 2028 (NBJ)
- Work set for Japanese restaurant in Pie Town (Post)
- Global mic maker to relocate local office (Post)
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your council member, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
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
🎸 Tame Impala @ Bridgestone Arena, 7p, $127, Info
🪕 Songs & Stories by Larry Cordle & Friends @ Station Inn, 8p, $20, Info
💀 Tennessee Dead @ Tennessee Brew Works, 6p, Info
🎸 Kelley's Heroes @ Robert's Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
🎸 The Cowpokes @ Robert's Western World, 10:30p, Free, Info
🪕 Bluegrass Night @ The American Legion Post 82, 7p, Free, Info
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
The Pamphleteer
The Pamphleteer
The Pamphleteer
The Pamphleteer
Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.