Nashville Zoo pushes back against proposed data center near property
The Nashville Zoo is strongly opposing a proposed DC BLOX data center project adjacent to its South Nashville campus, citing concerns about potential impacts on its property, animals, and surrounding neighborhoods. The proposal involves demolishing existing buildings for a new 69,220-square-foot facility, while Nashville lawmakers debate new restrictions on data centers in the city.
The Nashville Zoo is vehemently opposing a proposed data center development by Georgia-based company DC BLOX, planned for a property adjacent to the zoo's South Nashville campus. Zoo officials expressed significant concerns about the project's potential impact on their property, animals, and surrounding communities, stating they are working with community partners to evaluate and protect against these impacts.
DC BLOX's city permit application outlines plans for a new 69,220-square-foot, single-story data center at 648 Grassmere Park, which would require the demolition of two existing buildings. The company stated that the project would provide essential digital infrastructure for Nashville's economic growth and tax contributions, committing to closed-loop or waterless cooling designs to minimize water use, paying for all power and necessary energy infrastructure, and adhering to local noise and environmental regulations.
This proposal comes amidst broader discussions among Nashville lawmakers regarding new regulations for large-scale data centers. Metro Nashville Council Member Rollin Horton has introduced legislation to prohibit new "hyperscale" data centers over 500,000 square feet and mandate additional public review for smaller facilities, arguing that the industry's rapid growth has outpaced existing local regulations. The proposed Grassmere project has not yet been presented to Nashville's council or local planning bodies for public review.