Dig Once or Cry Twice

The East Bank communication infrastructure dilemma: do it now or dig again later.

From Megan Podsiedlik

Super Bowl LXIV attendees will only get a limited glimpse of Nashville’s new East Bank redevelopment when the event arrives in 2030. While the new enclosed Nissan Stadium will be complete, the centerpiece East Bank Boulevard project will not be finished before kickoff.

Instead, fans will be directed through South Second Street, which will be reconstructed between Shelby Avenue and Woodland Street to serve as the primary route around the stadium. Other road and pedestrian projects expected to be completed by the Super Bowl include improvements to James Robertson Parkway, Victory Avenue, and the Pedestrian Bridge Connector.

Wouldn’t It Be Nice Not to Dig Twice? During this morning’s meeting, East Bank Authority Board members raised concerns that Nashville could miss a once-in-a-generation opportunity to install shared communications infrastructure while major road projects are already underway.

The Authority’s Director of Program Management Michelle Scopel said a feasibility study by Metro Information Technology Services found that building a city-owned shared fiber duct bank would be financially impractical. According to the report, recouping the upfront construction costs within 30 years would require charging communications providers lease rates four times higher than current market rates. Scopel also warned that providers would not be required to lease the city-owned infrastructure, which could leave Metro holding the bag.

“I mean, nobody wants to pay four times the market rate for leasing space,” said Scopel. “So that was really the financial decision…. The math didn't work. Essentially, it's a bummer, honestly, because it was a great idea.”

But Authority members aren't ready to abandon the notion.

Member and Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton questioned whether the feasibility study fully explored lower-cost alternatives and asked if the analysis considered installing conduit only along key corridors—such as East Bank Boulevard—rather than throughout the entire development.

The information wasn’t immediately on hand, but Scopel promised to speak with Metro ITS about sharing the report publicly.

Everyone agreed that they would rather coordinate with private communications companies to install conduits while construction crews already have roads and rights-of-way open to reduce the need for future excavation and disruptions.

If the communication companies don’t come on board before projects are underway, Scopel explained that later construction for communication lines could include shared trenching beneath bike lanes or sidewalks and noted that East Bank streetlight poles could support future small-cell wireless technology.

“It's cheaper to build it today than it's going to be in 10 years, so you might as well build what you need,” said Sexton. “I've always thought Nashville said that it was the ‘it’ city, and if you're going to be the ‘it’ city, would you not want to look at innovative ways to show other cities how to do huge developments instead of doing the same old, same old?”

Burying The Lines Luckily, the Authority is not having the same problem with the Nashville Electric Service. Earlier in the meeting the board approved a district-wide memorandum of understanding with NES to streamline future underground electrical infrastructure work across the Central Waterfront area. Under the agreement, the Authority will design and install underground duct banks, while NES will handle cables, transformers, and electrical equipment to create a more reliable and resilient system.

✹ MOM'S NIGHT OUT WITH CHAPTER HOUSE

Before the lesson plans and early mornings kick back in, join Joshua & Hannah Centers of Chapter House (in partnership with The Pamphleteer) for good company, conversation, and an open bar. Hannah will give a short talk on their restored classical children’s books, and the full collection will be out for browsing and purchase. Tickets $50. Space is limited.

This is not our monthly members event. Information on this month's Pamphleteer event to follow.

HEADLINES

• 🏨 Council to consider extending existing hotel tax to 2032 under proposed ordinance. Last week, Metro Council passed a bill on its first of three readings that would extend part of Nashville's existing hotel occupancy tax through 2032 instead of letting it expire. The proposal aligns the city's tax structure with a new Tennessee law governing tourism-related taxes and updates how revenue from hotel, airport, and rental car taxes is distributed. That said, it does not create a new tax or increase the amount visitors pay when staying in Nashville hotels. The recent change to state law shifted more control over certain convention center and tourism funds from Metro to the state-created Joint Capital Tourism Board, which now has authority over significant decisions involving excess tourism revenues. (Fox 17)
• 🔌 Data Centers and Energy Last week, Governor Bill Lee signed onto President Donald Trump's voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge, which says data center developers—not residential utility customers—should bear the costs of the electricity infrastructure needed to power new AI facilities. In other energy-related news, Tennessee was named a finalist for the U.S. Department of Energy's Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus—a project that could expand the state's nuclear industry and provide additional energy capacity to support the growing demand from data centers and other large industrial users. (Lookout/Governor’s Office)
• 🥧 Cracker Barrel CEO stepping down one year after rebrand debacle, company to pay for security. Cracker Barrel will continue paying for security for outgoing CEO Julie Masino after she leaves the company, citing ongoing safety concerns following months of public backlash over her efforts to modernize the restaurant chain. The company disclosed the unusual executive benefit in a regulatory filing, saying the board will determine how long the protection remains necessary. Masino is stepping down Aug. 10 after facing criticism over branding and menu changes, with former Bloomin' Brands CEO David Deno taking over. (Bloomberg)

✹ PROPERTY TAX CALCULATOR

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

• Closed Lower Broadway honky-tonk Nashville Underground hits the market again (NBJ)
• Downtown boutique hotel slated for fall debut (Post)
• Stalled Germantown project pivots to condos amid complicated market (Tennessean)

✹ 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

🎸 Pavement w/ Soccer Mommy @ Ryman Auditorium, 7:30p, $151+, Info

🎸 Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 6p, $69+, Info

🎸 Twang Tuesday @ Acme Feed & Seed, 7p, Free, Info

🎸 Honky Tonk Tuesday @ Eastside Bowl, 8p, $10, Info
+ two-step lessons @ 7p, The Cowpokes @ 8p

📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.

Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.