Mayor Files Legislation Seeking to Acquire Zoo-Area Property Eyed for Data Center

Nashville Mayor Freddie O

Connell

's office has initiated legal action to acquire a South Nashville property that was slated for a controversial data center project by Atlanta-based DC BLOX. On Monday, the Mayor's office filed condemnation legislation, aiming to use eminent domain to secure the 648 Grassmere Park site for public use, citing a "legitimate need for this property" and expressing deep concerns over the proposed data center.

The property, located near the Nashville Zoo, was targeted by DC BLOX for a 10-megawatt data center, with engineering reports indicating potential for a larger 40-megawatt facility and a substation. The proposal has drawn fierce community opposition from Nashvillians worried about the data center's environmental impact, noise pollution, and potential effects on the zoo and its animals. Concerns also include the project's stormwater drainage impacting the zoo's infrastructure.

Mayor O

Connell

's office previously met with DC BLOX and declined to offer incentives, suggesting the company engage with the zoo prior to the project's announcement, which DC BLOX failed to do. In response to the condemnation filing, DC BLOX issued a statement asserting that "misinformation" is circulating about the project and expressed their continued efforts to meet with city officials, zoo leaders, and community members to address concerns and find a resolution.

This move by Metro Nashville reflects a broader strategy to balance economic development with community values and smart land-use decisions, especially as the city continues to grow and identifies increasing needs for municipal infrastructure like the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) and the fire department.