Hot Air Don't Make It Float
🏛 Last night at Metro Council · Waymo launches driverless ride-share service across the city · TDOT plans to expand Nolensville Road from 2 lanes to 5 · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. Last night at Metro Council… Waymo launches driverless ride-share service across the city… TDOT plans to expand Nolensville Road from 2 lanes to 5 lanes… And much more!
Terrorism in America Join us Thursday, April 16th for a discussion with domestic terrorism expert Kyle Shideler as we dig into the federal government's response to the Charlie Kirk assassination and what it means for us here locally. (Buy Ticket)
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your councilmember, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
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Council meetings are mostly filled with hot air—last night was no exception.
From Megan Podsiedlik
Rezoning East Bend The Metro Council spent nearly 30 minutes doing absolutely nothing with an East Bank rezoning bill that paves the way for developers to turn an old metal scrapyard into a mixed-use neighborhood. Instead, the body deferred its third and final vote until the next meeting.
Councilmember Emily Benedict didn’t pull any punches. “I hope that this is about engagement with the community and not about trying to kill amendments,” she said, insinuating that the developers may take the extra time to undermine some of the council’s demands. “I don't like the way that things are being handled.”
Members filed more than 20 amendments trying to pencil in requirements like an environmental study, height restrictions, and other add-ons.
Pittance Precluded Mayor O’Connell’s water and sewer credit died a quiet death. The one-time bill credit for Nashville water and sewer users was introduced in response to the ice storm. Had it passed, residents would have received up to $25.
To some, the gesture felt like an irresponsible pittance in the wake of the tragedy. “This is a huge fiscal note for our utility to be spending money that's not solving a problem that we need to solve,” said Councilmember Courtney Johnston last meeting. “I think we all want to help people, but we want to help people in a meaningful way.”
NIMBYs Can’t Catch a Break In spite of community pushback, a zoning bill that could turn a Joelton hotel into 120 affordable multi-family residential units passed on its final reading.
“What I don't understand is how a councilperson can go against the community,” said one commentator, echoing what has become a common sentiment repeated at council meetings as members continue to upzone areas for density. “A ‘no’ vote tonight will be for all the people of Joelton. A ‘yes’ vote will be for a group of investors.”
Child Care The council did make progress on another one of the mayor’s pet projects. The body passed a bill that would create a new chapter establishing a permit prioritization program for affordable housing and day care development projects on second reading.
Oracle Despite the pushback on rezoning the scrapyard located on East Bend, Oracle saw progress on legislation that will impact their campus a little further down the river. Two bills passed on second reading that will shape how the company can develop its River North campus.
✹ TERRORISM IN AMERICA
Domestic Threats to Americans Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the Trump administration declared its intent to counter domestic terrorism and organized political violence.
These efforts have been ongoing and recently bore some fruit, including major federal convictions and an upcoming international summit focused on countering the left-wing movement Antifa and other groups.
Join us to learn from an expert in the field on domestic threats to the American people, Kyle Shideler, and what the Trump administration's efforts mean for Nashville.
This event is for the benefit of The Pamphleteer, Nashville, and priced with that in mind. Bard-level subscribers receive free admittance.
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your councilmember, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
HEADLINES
- 🏈 Vanderbilt Health signed on as the official healthcare provider of the Tennessee Titans and the new Nissan Stadium. On top of existing deals with Nashville SC, the Predators, and the Sounds. An op-ed in the Tennessean notes this comes after VUMC cut roughly 650 positions over the past year to close budget gaps. Worth keeping in mind as VUMC pursues its bid for Williamson Health. (Tennessean)
- 🏛 Caroline Eller promoted to Executive Director of Metropolitan Historical Commission. Previously, she worked as a Historic Preservation and Housing Planner for the East Tennessee Development District, providing historic preservation and housing services to local governments within a 16-county region. (Metro Nashville)
- 🛣 TDOT advances major Nolensville Pike improvements in South Nashville. TDOT announced that its updated 10-year project plan anticipates the approval of another phase of significant improvements to Nolensville Road in South Nashville. TDOT is expanding Nolensville Road from its current two-lane configuration to a five-lane roadway between Burkitt Road and Old Hickory Boulevard. (Tennessean)
- 🤖 Waymo launches driverless ride-share service in Nashville. Music City’s first driverless ride‑share vehicles began operating yesterday and is now available citywide. (Tennessean)
DEVELOPMENT
- $40 million redesign transforms Midtown's Hutton Hotel (NBJ)
- Prime Midtown property listed for sale (Post)
- Germantown raw land listed for $2.8M (Post)
- The Capital Grille set for April 17 debut in Gulch (Post)
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
🎸 Monophonics @ Eastside Bowl, 8p, $57+, Info
🪕 Danny Burns @ Station Inn, 8p, Info
💀 Tennessee Dead @ Tennessee Brew Works, 6p, Info
🪕 Bluegrass Night @ The American Legion Post 82, 7p, 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.