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Nashville City Council Approves Eminent Domain to Block Data Center Near Zoo
Key points
- Nashville Metro Council approved eminent domain for land near the zoo.
- The land was planned for a $700 million DC Blox data center.
- Concerns cited include potential noise and light pollution.
- The vote was 27-5 in favor of the eminent domain measure.
- Mayor O'Connell supported the action for public needs.
Council Approves Eminent Domain
The Nashville Metro Council has approved a measure allowing the city to use eminent domain to acquire a 23-acre property adjacent to the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. This decision, passed by a 27-5 vote, enables the city government to proceed with the legal process to purchase the property.
Data Center Project Blocked
The land was slated for a $700 million data center campus by developer DC Blox. The proposed facility included a 69,220-square-foot single-story data center. Mayor Freddie O’Connell supported the legislation, stating it provides the city with the option to acquire the property for public needs.
Concerns from Zoo and Residents
The action follows concerns raised by officials from the Nashville Zoo and local residents. The primary issues cited were potential noise and light pollution that could result from the data center's operation. The Nashville Zoo, which opened in 1990, is a major attraction in Tennessee, expecting two million visitors annually by 2027.
Next Steps for the City
With the council's approval, the city government can now take steps to initiate the legal process for acquiring the property. Mayor O’Connell indicated that the city is working with its Finance and General Services departments to plan for the site's future use.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
The Nashville Metro Council approved a measure allowing the city to use eminent domain to acquire land intended for a $700 million data center campus next to the Nashville Zoo. This action follows concerns from zoo officials and residents regarding potential noise and light pollution from the data center.
The Nashville City Council has approved the use of eminent domain to acquire land intended for a data center development, aiming to prevent its construction near the Nashville Zoo. This action highlights increasing local government intervention in data center siting, particularly in areas with environmental or community concerns.