Brad Paisley joins opposition to proposed data center near Nashville Zoo
Country music star Brad Paisley has joined growing opposition to a proposed DC BLOX data center near the Nashville Zoo, calling it an "absolute nightmare scenario." The Nashville Zoo has launched a petition against the project, which has garnered over 259,000 signatures, raising concerns about environmental impacts and future expansion. Meanwhile, a Metro Council member has introduced legislation to place new restrictions on large-scale data centers in Nashville.
Country music star Brad Paisley has publicly opposed a proposed data center adjacent to the Nashville Zoo, calling the development an "enormous monstrosity" that would negatively impact the zoo and surrounding area. Paisley urged residents to sign a petition against the project, highlighting the zoo's importance as a community resource.
The opposition is directed at a proposal by DC BLOX to construct a 69,220-square-foot data center in the Grassmere Business Park, next to the Nashville Zoo in South Nashville. The Nashville Zoo launched a petition on June 4, rapidly accumulating over 259,000 signatures in three days. Zoo officials have expressed concerns regarding the potential effects on animals, visitors, and future expansion plans, noting the absence of environmental studies.
DC BLOX maintains that the site was previously permitted for a data center. The controversy is part of a broader discussion about data center expansion in Nashville, leading Metro Council member Rollin Horton to introduce legislation aimed at implementing new restrictions on large-scale data centers, citing the industry's rapid growth outstripping existing local regulations.