More on the Authority Without Authority
🗳 East Bank Development Authority still doesn't have authority · Speed cameras proposed for school zones · Boring gets right-of-way use for the Music City Loop · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. Toothless East Bank Development Authority reconvenes and its chair steps down to lead the Metro Codes Department... Speed cameras proposed for Nashville school zones could confuse Vision Zero stans... Boring gets state right-of-way use for the Music City Loop... And much more!
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New year, same frustrations during yesterday’s East Bank Development Authority meeting.
From Megan Podsiedlik
The East Bank Development Authority reconvened and approved a 15-year affordable housing PILOT agreement during its first meeting of the year. The Elmington Capital Group’s 323-unit East Bank Flats project hinges on a low-income housing tax credit from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. Without it, the project would not be financially feasible.
Though Authority members were in agreement that affordable housing is an important priority in the East Bank, the fact that the PILOT deal was negotiated by Metro instead of the Authority struck a nerve among some members. Tennessee House Speaker and board member Cameron Sexton once again raised concerns about the Authority's lack of power.
“If this is the way it's going to be, you really don't need us,” said Sexton, pointing out that the Authority is essentially a rubber stamp for Metro negotiations until development plans are underway.
Why does the Authority have no real authority? You may recall that the power to negotiate current land contracts lies with Metro government until the Authority can sustain itself independently. That independence depends on revenue, and that revenue can only be collected through rents once the East Bank is developed.
Until then, the Authority is all but toothless. Meanwhile, in order for the Authority to pay its CEO and staff, it has to borrow money from Metro—which it will have to pay back. Only then will the Authority gain its full authority.
Chair Emily Lamb saw no reason to postpone the PILOT vote given that the parcel is contractually required to include affordable housing under the Master Development Agreement. Since there isn’t a scenario where the area could be developed differently in order for the Authority to collect more revenue, Sexton’s argument was based more on principle and precedent than any real claim that Metro’s negotiation could result in Authority revenues lost. The body passed the agreement 6–2.
Lamb ended the meeting by announcing her resignation as chair of the East Bank Development Authority to accept a leadership position in the Metro Codes and Building Safety Department. Developers continue to harbor frustrations over long-standing issues with Metro Codes in Nashville. Lamb's professional experience lends itself to large-scale land-use entitlements and development work and could help patch up strained relations with Music City’s business sector.
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
Who bankrolls your councilmember? We analyzed every donation to every council member to show you whether they're funded by their constituents or someone else. Higher grades go to those who raise more money locally. (Take a Look)
HEADLINES
- 📹 NDOT’s Vision Zero Plan discusses adding speed cameras in Nashville school zones. The proposal would need Metro Council’s approval and mirrors programs already in place in Chattanooga and Memphis and one in the works in Knoxville.
Digging deeper: the push to install speed cameras brushes up against longstanding opposition to other policing-based camera installation projects proposed across the city—resistance that often comes from community members who otherwise support Nashville’s Vision Zero goals. (WKRN) - ⛏️ Boring Co. awarded state right-of-way use for the Music City Loop. This morning, Governor Bill Lee announced the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) joint approval of the company’s lease application and enhanced grading permit for the use of state-owned property along Tennessee’s highway system. (Governor’s Office)
Noteworthy: during last week’s special-called Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting, the Boring Co. disclosed that they met with the mayor’s former chief development officer, Bob Mendes, to talk about the Music City Loop project before O’Connell’s Choose How You Move initiative was put on the ballot. - 🚦 Traffic signal upgrades show early gains in Nashville. Since 2024, twenty-seven traffic signals have been upgraded along Charlotte Avenue. By the end of 2025, WeGo reported a 3-5 percent reduction in bus travel time along the project corridor, and an 18-19 percent drop in red light wait times. (Tennessean)
DEVELOPMENT
- Event venue, Elm, opens in 166-year-old Pie Town church (NBJ)
- Real estate giant pays $55M for Bellevue-area apartments (Post)
- Hillsboro Village apartment complex sells for $10.75M (Post)
- Bellevue set for Rippy’s Table and Tavern (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
🎸 Spiritual Cramp @ The Blue Room, $28.60, Info
🪕 Ben Chapman's Peach Jam @ The Basement East, 8p, $19.83, Info
+ feat. Brit Taylor, Gabe Lee, Collin Nash, Harper O'neill, Erin Enderlin, Vinnie Paolizzi, Jack Mckeon, Chris Canterbury, Hayes Carll & Leon Majcen
🪕 The Creekers @ Station Inn, 8p, $25, Info
🎸 Starbenders @ Exit/In, 8p, $27.42, 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.