Data center company buys land next to Nashville Zoo
DC BLOX has purchased land next to the Nashville Zoo for a data center project. This comes as the Metro Council is advancing legislation to restrict data centers and proposing an extension to an existing moratorium. The Nashville Zoo has filed a zoning appeal, and a petition against the project has garnered over 550,000 signatures.
A significant development has occurred in the ongoing controversy surrounding a proposed data center next to the Nashville Zoo, as DC BLOX officially purchased the property for $23 million, as confirmed by the Davidson County Register of Deeds.
Despite the land acquisition, opposition to the project continues. The Metro Council is actively discussing and racing to pass new legislation that would restrict where data centers can be located and how they can operate within Nashville. Council member Courtney Johnston indicated that future amendments to any passed legislation would likely be needed as more is learned about data centers.
Furthermore, an existing moratorium on data center development is being addressed, with a proposal to extend it until December 1st. District 16 Councilmember Jenny Walsh emphasized that the land purchase would not deter efforts to regulate data centers, stating that the city has "a lot of things up our sleeve." The mayor's office has also considered using eminent domain for the property.
Adding to the opposition, the Nashville Zoo's legal team has filed a zoning appeal against the project, and a petition to stop the data center has gathered more than 550,000 signatures, demonstrating widespread public sentiment against the development.