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Nashville Zoo Data Center Fight
Coverage from NBC News, Axios, and others
Articles
85
Active Days
74
The Topic
DC BLOX is advancing plans for a data center on 23.49 acres near Nashville Zoo, despite opposition from zoo leaders, environmental groups, residents, and Nashville officials. The dispute centers on potential noise and wildlife impacts, questions about power and water use, the absence of data-center-specific local rules, and whether the project’s zoning and permits can stand. Moratorium proposals, zoning appeals, and an eminent-domain effort could delay or prevent construction, while DC BLOX says the project can meet regulatory requirements and use closed-loop or waterless cooling.
First Article: 05/14/26
Latest Article: 07/26/26
Summary
- DC BLOX purchased the 23.49-acre Nashville site for $23 million and plans a data center described in project materials as either 10 megawatts or roughly 50 megawatts across a broader campus proposal.
- Nashville Zoo and environmental groups oppose the location, citing noise risks for clouded leopards and possible effects on endangered Nashville crayfish habitat.
- Public opposition has generated a petition exceeding 500,000 signatures, with additional support from country musician Brad Paisley.
- Nashville officials and council members are pursuing a temporary moratorium, new siting restrictions, and an appeal of the project’s office-use zoning classification.
- Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s administration has proposed using eminent domain to acquire the property, creating a separate legal dispute with DC BLOX and the seller.
- DC BLOX says it will address sound, stormwater, energy, and water concerns and use closed-loop or waterless cooling, but independent assessments were not identified in the supplied material.
History
The update adds a clearer legal and regulatory posture: Nashville is now explicitly pursuing zoning appeals, a temporary moratorium, and eminent-domain action while DC BLOX broadens its defense to include sound, stormwater, energy, and water mitigation. It also introduces a new property-owner actor and a more specific council-level zoning challenge.
The biggest change is that the Nashville Zoo data center fight has become more concrete and legally active: DC BLOX now has the site, permit filings, and an estimated project size, while opponents are escalating through appeals, moratorium efforts, and eminent domain. The dispute is also more sharply framed around animal welfare and environmental impacts near the zoo.
Featured
06-06-2026
Nashville Zoo officials and council member Courtney Johnston oppose a DC BLOX 69,000-square-foot data center near the zoo, seeking a moratorium vote amid zoning uncertainty.
06-08-2026
Brad Paisley and Nashville Zoo leaders called for opposition to a DC BLOX data center near the zoo as a zoning appeal and Metro Council action proceed.
06-29-2026
Metro Nashville, under Mayor Freddie O'Connell, plans eminent domain legislation for land near the Nashville Zoo as DC Blox proceeds with permits for a data center amid zoning appeals and opposition.
Timeline: 74 Days
Hover over any logo to see coverage summary, click for full article.
Additional Articles
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DC Blox closed on a Nashville Zoo-area property in July to build a 10-megawatt data center as zoning appeals and a Metro Council moratorium vote remain pending.
DC BLOX faces bipartisan opposition in Nashville, Tennessee, over a proposed 700 million data center campus near the Nashville Zoo after residents cite low-frequency noise concerns for endangered clouded leopards.
Mayor Freddie O'Connell backed a metro council temporary pause on large data center approvals after DC BLOX permit filings near the Nashville Zoo drew bipartisan opposition.
Brad Paisley and Nashville Zoo officials oppose a DC Blox data center near the Nashville Zoo, prompting zoning appeals and proposed moratoriums in Nashville, Tennessee.
Nashville filed eminent domain legislation in Tennessee to acquire 648 Grassmere Park for a DC BLOX data center near the Nashville Zoo after widespread petition opposition.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell announced eminent domain legislation to stop a DC BLOX data center proposed next to Nashville Zoo following local opposition.
Nashville Zoo leaders oppose DC BLOX's planned data center next to the zoo, while Nashville council moves toward moratoriums and eminent-domain legislation.
Metro Nashville mayor Freddie O'Connell filed eminent domain legislation on Grassmere Park near the Nashville Zoo to counter DC Blox data center plans ahead of a July 7 council meeting.
DC Blox completed a $23 million purchase of a Nashville Zoo-adjacent 23-acre site and filed new permits as Metro Council prepares moratorium and zoning votes.
Fisk University proposes a 30-MW data center on North Nashville land, drawing community opposition and prompting Nashville's first data center zoning bill by Rollin Horton.
Fisk University proposed a 30-megawatt data center in North Nashville, with closed-loop cooling and planned water use from a 16-inch main, while Metro zoning legislation and community concerns emerged.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell sought eminent domain for a DC Blox site near the Nashville Zoo as Metro Planning Commission advanced moratorium and dense-area limits on data centers.
DC Blox completed a $23 million property purchase next to the Nashville Zoo in July 2026 as Metro Council advanced data center zoning and moratorium measures and the zoo filed a zoning appeal.
Nashville Metro Council considers zoning amendments, a potential moratorium, and eminent domain to address DC Blox’s $23 million property purchase near the Nashville Zoo.
Nashville Zoo Board unanimously rejected a DC Blox memorandum of understanding for a smaller adjacent data center after community concerns and local zoning restrictions.
Taylor, Texas City Council rejected a petition-led plan to ban new data centers in 2026 under Texas law, while drafting amendments on water use, air quality, and noise.
On July 21, 2026, Nashville Metro Council imposed a data-center permit freeze near the Nashville Zoo after protests and zoning amendments tied to bills BL2026-1391 and BL2026-1448.
Taylor, Texas residents criticized city officials after a June citizen petition to restrict data center zoning was halted under Texas initiative-law limits.
Nashville Metro Council approved a data-center zoning framework and permit moratorium on July 21, 2026, while DC BLOX near the Nashville Zoo faces a vested-rights and zoning-appeal dispute.
Taylor, Texas completed legal review of a data-center initiative petition and rejected ballot action because Texas law requires zoning changes through commission and hearing processes.
Freddie O'Connell ordered Metro Nashville departments to assess grid capacity, water use, and environmental impacts and develop future regulations for large-scale data centers.
Nashville Metro Council approved zoning limits and a through-December construction moratorium after protests over DC Blox data-center plans near the Nashville Zoo.
McMinnville and Coffee County, Tennessee passed June 9 moratoria on data center development as residents cited grid capacity, water impacts, and public health concerns.
Taylor, Texas City Manager Brian LaBorde apologized after legal review blocked a citizen petition aimed at restricting new data center development from ballot action, as public comments and a September ordinance process approached.
DC Blox permit filings for a 40 megawatt data center near Nashville Zoo face a zoning appeal and potential Metro Nashville development pause as city data-center zoning rules advance.
Metro Nashville, led by Mayor Freddie O'Connell, plans a condemnation filing for a DC Blox 50 MW campus site near the Nashville Zoo, amid opposition and a July 7 Metro Council hearing.
DC Blox acquired land near the Nashville Zoo in Nashville, Tennessee, but pending Metro Council siting rules and permit timing could affect whether construction proceeds.
In Taylor, Texas, a data center opposition coalition filed a mandamus after Taylor City Council blocked a petition from reaching a Nov. 3 ballot.
Courtney Johnston and Nashville Metro Council introduced a temporary data-center permit moratorium after protests tied to a Grassmere Park project near the Nashville Zoo.
McMinnville and Coffee County, Tennessee implemented data center permitting moratoria on June 9 after resident opposition over electricity demand, water impacts, and environmental and noise concerns.
Nashville Electric Service records show DC BLOX planning up to 100 MW near the Nashville Zoo, amid proposed zoning rules and a temporary moratorium.
Bill Lee and the Tennessee Valley Authority backed a voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge for AI data centers as Nashville advanced local siting rules and rejected a nearby proposal.
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DC Blox advanced a 69,000-square-foot data center near the Nashville Zoo as Metro Planning Commission approved Nashville proposals limiting new data center development.
DC BLOX faced community opposition in Nashville during Metro Planning Commission review over a proposed 50-megawatt campus next to Nashville Zoo, as officials advanced a 90-day permit moratorium.
Nashville residents and Nashville Zoo leadership opposed a DC BLOX data center near the Nashville Zoo at a Metro Planning Commission hearing, amid a proposed half-mile siting ban.
Mayor Freddie O'Connell announced condemnation steps for a Nashville Zoo-adjacent data center property while Fisk University held a North Nashville community meeting on a 30-megawatt proposal.
Nashville held a planning commission hearing in response to proposed legislation restricting large data centers near the Nashville Zoo after DC BLOX drew local opposition.
Brad Paisley boosted a Nashville, Tennessee petition opposing a proposed AI data center near Nashville Zoo as the zoo and DC BLOX dispute electricity and water impact claims.
Pamela Griffin and other Taylor, Texas residents challenge the Blueprint data center project after a deed-intent dispute and a denied injunction request in 2025.
Brad Paisley and DC Blox faced local siting debates in Nashville as Metro Planning Commission advanced legislation affecting a Nashville Zoo-adjacent 50 MW data center campus.
Taylor County Judge Phil Crowley addressed water use projections and environmental permitting activity for local data center projects during budget planning in Texas.
Community leaders, including Nashville Zoo stakeholders and public figures, oppose a planned data center next to Nashville Zoo in South Nashville as local permitting and moratorium discussions advance in Tennessee.
Residents in Coffee County and around Nashville challenged proposed data center projects near the Nashville Zoo and Fisk University as local leaders advanced temporary moratoriums.
Environmental groups notified Nashville officials and DC BLOX about endangered species and Mill Creek stormwater concerns for a proposed zoo-adjacent data center.
DC BLOX proposed a Nashville data center permit next to Nashville Zoo, facing opposition from the zoo and officials over land-use impacts as Tennessee advances HB1847 cost-responsibility rules.
Nashville Zoo launched a petition on Change.org opposing a proposed DC Blox data center planned for 648 Grassmere Park in South Nashville.
Nashville Zoo officials oppose a DC Blox data center proposal at Grassmere Park, as Metro Council considers location restrictions for data centers.
Brad Paisley joined local opposition to a proposed DC Blox data center next to the Nashville Zoo in South Nashville, with permitting filings submitted in Nashville.
Metro Nashville residents and Nashville Zoo supporters filed a petition against a proposed DC BLOX data center near Nashville Zoo as Metro Council weighs siting and operating restrictions.
Nashville Metro Planning Commission held a crowded meeting in Davidson County in which a zoning bill proposed data center size limits and added permit requirements.
DC BLOX faced petition-backed opposition and a Davidson County temporary moratorium after permits were filed for a Nashville Zoo-adjacent 69,220 square foot data center.
DC BLOX faces growing opposition near the Nashville Zoo while Nashville Metro Council advances a Davidson County temporary moratorium on data center zoning and permitting.
Over 150 residents opposed two Nashville data center zoning proposals at a Metropolitan Planning Commission meeting, deferring action to June 25.
Marsha Blackburn urged reconsideration of a proposed DC Blox data center next to Nashville Zoo after petitions and a planning commission meeting drew more than 150 opponents.
Grassmere Park resident Drew Small and Davidson County opponents push for public input on a DC Blox Nashville Zoo-area data center before a June 11 Metro Planning Commission hearing.
Nashville Metro Planning Commission discussions intensified on DC BLOX’s proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo amid disputes over permits, noise impacts, and wildlife concerns.
DC Blox proposed a data center near the Nashville Zoo as Nashville Metro Council advanced regulations and a temporary pause on approvals during a Tuesday meeting.
Blueprint Projects faces community pushback in Taylor, Texas, for a three-phase $1 billion data center proposal pending city platting and building permits.
Nashville Zoo CEO Rick Schwartz opposed DC Blox plans for a Grassmere Business Park data center adjacent to zoo property, citing light and noise risks during the city review process.
Nashville Zoo sought public opposition on June 4 to a proposed DC Blox data center at 648 Grassmere Park, citing unknown animal and visitor impacts.
Nashville Zoo officials oppose DC Blox plans for a data center in Grassmere Business Park due to potential light and noise effects on zoo animals, ahead of a city decision.
Nashville Zoo and Mayor Freddie O'Connell oppose a DC BLOX 50-megawatt data center outside the zoo perimeter, citing noise, light, habitat, and grid strain concerns.
Nashville Zoo opposed a proposed DC BLOX data center planned near the clouded leopard breeding facility, citing infrasound noise concerns and launching a petition.
Nashville Zoo officials oppose a phased DC BLOX Nashville data-center proposal, citing wildlife impacts and potential grid strain, while the city advances property acquisition legislation.
Nashville Metro Planning Commission deferred data-center siting legislation until June 25 after residents opposed a DC Blox facility near the Nashville Zoo.
Taylor, Texas city officials in a recent City Council process reviewed a citizen data-center petition and said new zoning rules are being prioritized.
Nashville, Tennessee considers Bill No. 2026-1391 and Executive Order 59 to shape permitting for AI data center proposals after community opposition.
Taylor, Texas, City Council will vote Thursday on a citizen ordinance to temporarily pause and prohibit data center approvals pending creation of digital infrastructure zoning.
Taylor, Texas city leaders in September planning decisions blocked a citizen data-center zoning initiative under Texas law and set ordinance updates for public comment in July.
Metro Nashville proposed first zoning restrictions for data centers to regulate siting, hyperscale size limits, and community approvals as AI-driven expansion continues.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell signed an executive order supporting a temporary large data center moratorium in Nashville and Davidson County as bills advance toward a June 25 planning commission vote.
Nashville's Metropolitan Planning Commission heard marathon public comment on June 25 deferral of proposed data center zoning restrictions after more than 150 residents opposed DC Blox and Fisk University proposals.
Nashville Metro Council voted 26-1 in early steps toward a 90-day moratorium on new data center permits as opposition grows around a proposed zoo-adjacent site.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell signed Executive Order 59 and Metro Council approved a 90-day data center permit moratorium in Davidson County after public opposition to proposed sites.
DC Blox pursued a Nashville Zoo-area data center as Metro Planning Commission approved new data-center rules and Metro Codes reported permits not yet issued.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell plans eminent domain against a DC Blox AI data center near the Nashville Zoo as Davidson County drafts siting limits.
Nashville residents and officials held a Metro Planning Commission hearing on June timelines for new Davidson County data-center regulations tied to DC Blox plans near the Nashville Zoo.
Fisk University President Agenia Walker Clark proposed a $1 billion campus plan in Nashville, including a 70,000-square-foot technology data center, drawing community criticism.
Fisk University President Agenia Clark announced a $900 million North Nashville campus redevelopment with a 30-megawatt data and technology center, seeking Metro approval amid local data-center opposition.
Fisk University President Agenia Walker Clark announced a 1 billion Quantum Leap campus plan in Nashville, including a 400 million Innovation Center with technology data center space.
Fisk University President Agenia Clark announced a $900 million North Nashville campus plan including a 30 megawatt data and technology center submitted to Metro for approval.
Fisk University announced a Quantum Leap plan for North Nashville, proposing a 100,000-square-foot, 30-megawatt data and technology center submitted to Metro for approval.