Mayor Throws Monkey Wrench into Zoo Data Center Plan
Good afternoon, everyone. Mayor seeks council approval to acquire land near zoo to block proposed data center... Gas prices hit Nashville hardest... Judge tosses challenge to TN immigration law... And much more!
New American Frontiers Join us June 16th for a conversation with Kevin Dolan, founder of the EXIT fraternity, on institutional decline, parallel power, and where political opportunities are. (Buy Ticket)
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Mayor seeks council approval to acquire land near zoo to block proposed data center.
From Megan Podsiedlik
Yesterday, Mayor Freddie O’Connell filed condemnation legislation that would allow Metro to take ownership of property near the Nashville Zoo in order to prevent its use as a data center.
“We’re filing this condemnation legislation because Metro has a legitimate need for this property. I have carefully followed the concerns from the community and the Zoo and also remain deeply concerned about the proposed use,” said Mayor Freddie O’Connell in a statement. “With the closure of Metro Southeast and departments – from the fire department to NDOT – needing expansion space and in transition, we have a variety of needs in Metro.”
The legislation would authorize Metro to condemn the 23-acre property currently owned by MarketStreet Enterprises (the DC Blox sale is pending for its proposed data center). As evident by O’Connell’s mention of the fire department and NDOT, Metro must articulate a legitimate public need to avoid a valid legal challenge.
If passed, Metro will file a condemnation petition in Davidson County Circuit Court. Metro must also obtain a professional appraisal and offer the owners fair market value for the parcel. The owners will be issued a 30-day notice and can challenge the condemnation or the price.
A Rare Case It’s not often that a high-profile eminent domain proposal translates into a political win, but Mayor Freddie O’Connell and the council could make some hay with this legislation as they head into next year’s election season.
Over the last few years, the potential use of eminent domain in order to uniformly develop the East Bank has provoked the administration and the council to reassure land owners of Metro’s fair valuation process. While 130 of the 550-acre riverfront area under redevelopment is already Metro-owned, the remaining parcels will likely be acquired via negotiation, eminent domain, or other related powers in order to support the East Bank Development project.
Likewise, a deal has gone sour near Nashville’s Harpeth River Greenway. Back in 2023, former Councilmember Dave Rosenberg helped negotiate a controversial Bellevue housing development that will tuck a 417-unit apartment complex along a bend in the Harpeth River. At the time, Rosenberg added a condition that required the developers to finish connecting the greenway to Warner Park.
Unfortunately, the perk turned into a land invasion. In May, Harpeth Crest Homeowners’ Association President Devin Schultz filed a lawsuit to stop the greenway construction project. The petition alleges that “Metro has authorized and set in motion an imminent and concrete physical invasion of private property without instituting condemnation proceedings or providing any mechanism for just compensation.”
*The public hearing for the legislation to acquire property next to the zoo will likely take place during the second council meeting in July.
✹ NEW AMERICAN FRONTIERS
New American Frontiers Kevin Dolan, founder of the EXIT fraternity, argues the institutions most people still rely on have turned hostile to competence and entered a slow decline that can't be reversed from within. After being doxxed and fired in 2021, he set out to build the alternative: parallel institutions and the high-trust networks that hold up when formal ones don't.
Join us Thursday, June 16th for a conversation on institutional decline, parallel power, and where the political openings actually are.
✹ 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)
GAS PRICES HIT NASHVILLE HARDEST
HEADLINES
- ⚖️ Federal judge tosses challenge to Tennessee immigration law. The suit, brought by groups including the ACLU, targeted the law that makes it a state crime (Class A misdemeanor) for certain noncitizens to remain in Tennessee after being ordered to leave. The judge ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing. (TNJ)
- 🚧 Nolensville Pike all-access corridor undergoing significant improvements. A major transportation project is underway along Nolensville Pike, one of Nashville’s busiest corridors. Spanning roughly nine miles from downtown to South Nashville, the initiative is among the first under Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s “Choose How You Move” program. Key improvements include high-frequency bus service with dedicated transit lanes where feasible, upgraded traffic signals, new and enhanced sidewalks, safer pedestrian crossings, bikeway connections, and broader safety enhancements throughout the corridor. (Fox 17)
- 🏈 Former Titans running back Chris Johnson diagnosed with ALS. Former NFL running back Chris Johnson, who played for the Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals, revealed on ABC's "Good Morning America" that he was diagnosed with ALS last year. The 40-year-old, who last played in 2017, used a speech-generating device during the interview and noted that thorough testing confirmed the diagnosis after initial hopes it was something else. *Nicknamed "CJ2K," Johnson had one of the most explosive seasons in NFL history in 2009 with 2,006 rushing yards and 503 receiving while playing for the Titans. (NewsChannel 5)
- 🤝 Vanderbilt's Diermeier elected Nashville Chamber board chair. The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has tapped Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier to chair its board, effective July 1, succeeding Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network president Wright Pinson.
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
🎸 Post Malone @ Nissan Stadium, 6p, $69+, Info
🎸 Martin & The Fall @ The Five Spot, 6p, $10, Info
+ folk /americana
🎸 Sam Bush @ Ryman Auditorium, 7p, $53+, Info
🎸 Twang Tuesday @ Acme Feed and Seed, 7p, Free, Info
🎸 Honky Tonk Tuesday @ Eastside Bowl, 8p, $10, Info
+ two-step lessons @ 7p, The Cowpokes @ 8p
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.