Metro Council set to vote on eminent domain
The Metro Council in Nashville is set to vote on legislation to use eminent domain to acquire property where DC Blox plans to build a data center next to the Nashville Zoo. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to stop the project, following the city's recent data center regulations and a construction moratorium in Davidson County. The acquisition could cost taxpayers over $37 million.
The Metro Council in Nashville, Tennessee, is scheduled to vote on whether to authorize the Metro government to acquire land owned by DC Blox, a company planning to build a data center next to the Nashville Zoo. This vote represents the most direct effort yet to halt the controversial project, which has generated significant public interest, with Council Member Courtney Johnston reporting a full inbox of constituent emails.
In previous actions, the Metro Council passed the city's first-ever data center regulations and enacted a moratorium on all data center construction in Davidson County until December. The current legislation, filed by Mayor Freddie O'Connell, would allow Metro to initiate the process of acquiring the land, first through negotiation for a sale, but also granting the ability to use eminent domain.
Such an acquisition is estimated to cost taxpayers over $37 million, based on the appraised value of the property, despite DC Blox having purchased it for $23 million just last month. Metro would also need to legally demonstrate a public need for the property, suggesting it could be used for other purposes like warehouses, office space, or training facilities. Council Member Johnston has indicated her intention to vote in favor of the measure, ensuring all possible avenues to protect the mayor's office are explored.