Nashville Zoo rejects DC Blox proposal for smaller data center next to zoo
Nashville Zoo leaders have rejected DC Blox's revised proposal for a 69,000-square-foot data center next to the zoo, citing safety concerns related to proximity to animal schools and neighborhoods. This decision follows the Metro Council's approval of new city-wide data center regulations.
Nashville Zoo leaders announced they have rejected a proposed agreement with DC BLOX that would have allowed the construction of a smaller data center adjacent to the zoo. Initially, DC BLOX had proposed a 330,000-square-foot facility.
During an emergency meeting, DC BLOX offered a revised plan for a 69,000-square-foot data center and to return some land to the zoo. However, the Zoo's Board of Directors voted unanimously against this smaller proposal, stating that a data center close to animal schools and neighborhoods has not been proven safe.
This rejection comes shortly after the Metro Council approved Nashville's first data center regulations earlier this week. These new regulations include a ban on facilities larger than 500,000 square feet and mandate that new data centers be located in industrial areas, not directly next to schools, parks, or neighborhoods.