Metro Council

The Metro Council approved an agreement with Fishman Haygood, a law firm in which John Bel Edwards is a partner, to explore filing an antitrust lawsuit. The decision involves hiring the firm as city leadership considers legal action.

Nashville received over $13 million from opioid settlement funds, but an internal audit revealed issues with fund management, including unclear tracking of staff salaries and time spent on opioid-related work. Metro Council members propose increased oversight, including a public dashboard and regular reporting, in response to the audit's findings.

Nashville Zoo rejected DC Blox’s proposal to build a 69,000-square-foot data center next to the zoo, citing unproven safety concerns for animals, schools, and communities. Metro Council recently approved data-center regulations limiting size and location, adding complexity to the dispute. Existing data centers and new projects, including one at Fisk University, highlight ongoing regional interest in such developments.

The Metro Council unanimously approved Visit Baton Rouge's request to increase River Center rental fee waivers for 2027 as part of efforts to host Olympic boxing trials. The decision was made without discussion during a council meeting.

The Nashville Zoo praised Metro Council's data center zoning restrictions as an 'important victory,' citing a petition with over half a million signatures and public opposition to a data center adjacent to the zoo. July 2026 was Nashville's rainiest month in over a year, with 6.16 inches of rain recorded at Nashville International Airport. Early voting for August primaries saw 13,374 ballots cast as of July 23.

Nashville's Metro Council approved new zoning rules and a temporary permit freeze for data centers, including restrictions near sensitive locations like the Nashville Zoo. The changes may not apply to DC BLOX's proposed data center due to legal uncertainties, as the company already submitted permits before the rules took effect.

The Metro Council is advocating for transparency regarding the Nashville Electric Service (NES) tree-trimming process. A January winter storm caused the largest outage in NES history, impacting over 230,000 customers.

Metro Council in Nashville passed the city's first data-center regulations, imposing restrictions on size, location, and operations, including a temporary moratorium on new construction until December. The rules aim to limit data centers near residential areas and require special approvals for smaller facilities, potentially affecting DC Blox's controversial zoo-near proposal.

Metro Nashville's Council has passed data center regulations and a temporary moratorium, marking a significant shift in how these facilities are developed in Davidson County.

Metro Council approved zoning restrictions and a moratorium on new data center construction in Nashville amid concerns over projects near the Nashville Zoo. The measures aim to ban large data centers and establish buffer zones around sensitive areas, with DC Blox's proposed zoo-adjacent data center potentially affected. Residents expressed worries about emissions, water quality, and noise impacts.

The article examines whether Metro Council's proposed data center legislation could affect the DC BLOX data center project located near the Nashville Zoo. It notes the outcome remains uncertain and complex.

Metro Council is attempting to stop a data center project next to the Nashville Zoo. DC Blox acquired a property adjacent to the zoo for $23 million.

Metro Council will vote on a final bill to restrict data center development, which could block DC Blox from building a facility near the Nashville Zoo. The bill imposes size and location limits on data centers and includes a temporary moratorium until November, while DC Blox recently purchased the contested property.

DC Blox has revised its Nashville data center plans, reducing the project from two buildings to a single 69,200 sq. ft. facility, with capital investment dropping from $1.9 billion to $380 million. The company cites community feedback as a reason for the changes, which come as Metro Council prepares to vote on zoning regulations for data centers.

Metro Council member Jacob Kupin from District 19 highlights rising pedestrian deaths and declares a public safety emergency after four years of Vision Zero efforts.

DC Blox purchased land next to Nashville Zoo for a data center in a $23 million deal confirmed by the Davidson County Register of Deeds. Metro Council members stated they would continue efforts to pass legislation regulating data centers.

A data center operated by RadiusDC is nearing completion in North Nashville, raising concerns among neighbors about environmental impacts, water use, and proximity to schools. Claudia Wright, a local resident, highlights past environmental issues in the area and questions the long-term effects of the facility, while RadiusDC claims the project meets zoning requirements and uses energy-efficient cooling.

DC Blox purchased a 23-acre property next to the Nashville Zoo, but local regulations and a Tennessee state vesting law create uncertainty about building a data center there. A final Metro Council vote on data center regulations and the timing of permit submissions could determine whether DC Blox is allowed to proceed under existing or new rules.

A Metro Councilmember has introduced legislation requiring Nashville stores to disclose the use of algorithmic pricing. The bill aims to address 'AI price gouging' by mandating transparency in pricing methods.

DC Blox has closed on a 23-acre property next to the Nashville Zoo for a proposed data center, which the zoo opposes due to concerns about animal impacts. Metro Council will vote on legislation that could block the data center's construction, including a temporary moratorium and zoning restrictions.

Mayor Freddie O’Connell filed legislation to refinance Music City Center bonds to free up Metro's debt capacity, including a $300 million transfer between authorities. The State Board of Education is considering allowing high school students to earn world language credits in different languages, facing opposition from teachers and students. Traffic disruptions on I-65 are planned for construction, and the Nashville Predators announced their 2026-27 season opener.

Residents of Nashville's The Nations neighborhood are advocating for protections of a 14-year-old mural ahead of a Metro Council vote on a redevelopment project. The proposed project would demolish the existing building housing the mural, but Councilmember Rollin Horton has introduced an amendment to preserve and repurpose it. Residents also oppose the scale of the redevelopment, arguing the new buildings would disrupt the neighborhood's character.

Banner reporters and an intern discuss data centers, focusing on a Nashville Metro Council meeting where hundreds of residents commented on legislation. The conversation highlights new political engagement and the conflict between Mayor Freddie O’Connell and DC Blox over the bills.

Nashville officials are attempting to block DC BLOX's $700 million data center near the Nashville Zoo through new legislation and eminent domain efforts, but the company may proceed using the vested rights doctrine. The Metro Council is advancing zoning and regulatory measures, while DC BLOX claims environmental commitments it disputes with the mayor.

A data center expert provided commentary following public backlash against a proposed data center project near Nashville Zoo. Over 250 people registered to speak during a Metro Council public hearing on new data center regulations.

The Nashville Zoo and mayor are opposing a data center proposal as the Metro Council advances legislation to regulate future data centers and temporarily halts approval of new projects following public feedback.

Nashville's Metro Council meeting addressed proposed data center restrictions and a potential moratorium, with hundreds of attendees speaking during a seven-hour session. The discussion focused on community input regarding data center developments in the city.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell criticized DC BLOX's statement as 'inaccurate' regarding a proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo. The dispute occurred ahead of a Metro Council vote on the project.

A Think Tennessee report reveals that Tennessee residents near data centers experienced a 3.2% average increase in electricity bills between 2023 and 2024, while commercial consumers saw a 0.2% decrease. The report highlights growing electricity consumption by data centers and public concerns over grid strain, with proposed zoning regulations and a moratorium set for public hearings.

Nashville’s Metro Council will vote on four data center-related bills, including zoning rules, a moratorium on permits, and property condemnation near the Nashville Zoo. Mayor Freddie O’Connell supports key bills and filed late legislation targeting a DC Blox project, while two competing bills aim to revive the Nashville Entertainment Commission.

A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday night as Metro Council addresses residents' concerns over a proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo. The decision follows weeks of public debate about the project.

Metro Council members are set to consider legislation Tuesday night that supporters say is designed to protect Nashville's young people online.

Bordeaux, a Nashville ZIP code, has produced numerous Black elected officials through community-driven political engagement. Brenda Gilmore's journey from volunteer to Metro Council representative and state senator reflects the area's legacy of fostering leadership, rooted in historical displacement due to Interstate 40 construction and a culture of civic service.

The Nashville Zoo is urging residents to attend a Metro Council public hearing to oppose a proposed data center near its property. The zoo seeks support for suspending rules to add the mayor's acquisition bill to the agenda, passing legislation (BL2026-1391) to protect data center development, and a temporary moratorium (BL2026-1448). DC Blox, the company behind the data center, claims the project is legally protected.

Protesters in Nashville rallied against MarketStreet Enterprises, urging the company to cancel its land sale to DC BLOX, a data center developer planning a facility near the Nashville Zoo. Demonstrators cited concerns over pollution, noise impacting zoo animals, and lack of environmental impact studies, while DC BLOX disputed these claims and emphasized compliance with industry standards. A Metro Council vote on zoning requirements for data centers is expected soon.

Nashville’s Metro Council will hold a public hearing on proposed data center regulations, with residents opposing new facilities and demanding stricter controls. The council is using a ticketing system to manage high public interest, following concerns about accessibility during past hearings. Two key proposals include banning large data centers over 500,000 square feet and implementing a temporary moratorium on permits.

The Metro Council implements a ticketed system for public comments on data center bills at a July 7 meeting. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship in the Trump v. Barbara case, invalidating an executive order. Private schools with vouchers have extended time to submit test scores for academic performance reporting.

The Metro Board of Ethical Conduct found Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnston violated two ethical rules by failing to disclose her volunteer board position with Music City Children’s Museum and by conduct that could create an appearance of undue influence. The board issued a warning instead of a more severe punishment after Johnston updated her disclosure and resigned from the museum board.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell plans to use eminent domain to block a proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo, citing community and zoo supporter concerns. DC BLOX, the company behind the project, claims the facility will address community concerns and will proceed despite new restrictions. The Nashville Zoo supports the mayor's move, calling it a 'huge win' for families.

Metro Nashville is attempting to seize land designated for a DC Blox data center near the zoo through condemnation legislation, citing public concerns over environmental and community impacts. The project faces opposition from the Nashville Zoo, environmental groups, residents, and Brad Paisley due to potential threats to the endangered Nashville crayfish and local noise/land use issues.