Fisk University president takes on data center questions at North Nashville town hall
Two proposed data center projects in Nashville are facing community scrutiny and government action. Fisk University's president addressed concerns at a town hall, while the Metro Nashville government is initiating condemnation proceedings against a property eyed by DC Blox for another data center. Local officials also discussed upcoming zoning legislation for data centers.
Nashville is currently grappling with the future of two proposed data center developments. One project involves a 30-megawatt data center on Fisk University's historic campus, which university president Agenia Clark recently discussed at a community town hall hosted by Lee Chapel AME Church and the NAACP in North Nashville. Clark defended the university's master plan, emphasizing the institution's need for improved digital resources and attempting to counter perceived myths about data centers.
Clark assured the community that Fisk's project would not involve methane gas-fueled turbine engines, unlike the xAI data center in Memphis, and expressed support for Mayor Freddie O'Connell's proposed temporary moratorium and any Metro Council limitations on data centers. She aimed to position Fisk's interest as distinct from "worst actors" in the industry, despite ongoing community concerns from neighbors, politicians, and anti-data-center activists regarding potential environmental harm and lack of specifics.
Meanwhile, the Metro Nashville government is actively fighting another data center development planned adjacent to the Nashville Zoo. Mayor O'Connell announced his intent to initiate a condemnation proceeding to forcibly acquire the property, citing a legitimate need for city office space in the southeast quadrant. DC Blox, the company seeking to purchase the property for its data center, expressed skepticism and hinted at potential litigation in response to the city's move.
Local elected officials, including Rep. Harold Love Jr., Sen. Charlane Oliver, and Metro Council member Brandon Taylor, were present at the town hall. While they declined to commit to legislation outright banning data centers from North Nashville, they are involved in legislative efforts. Taylor is a co-sponsor of a bill creating new regulations for data centers, which is scheduled for a public hearing at the July 7 council meeting.