parks
Metro Nashville applies to take over land at center of Nashville Zoo data center controversy
By Li Cohen at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 16, 2026
· 3 min read
What This Story Is AboutMetro Nashville submitted an application to acquire the piece of property at 648 Grassmere Park, which sits directly next to the Nashville Zoo and is where DC Blox has said it wants to build a data center.Why It MattersDC Blox’s data center plans have been the center of co...
Key takeaway For ContextNashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell filed condemnation legislation last month that would allow the city to acquire a 23.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The city's move to acquire the land at 648 Grassmere Park brings new momentum to the ongoing debate over the proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo. With thousands of community members already voicing concerns about health, environmental, and noise pollution, Metro Nashville's application to take over the property signals a significant shift in the city's approach to the issue. The fact that Mayor Freddie O'Connell's office has filed condemnation legislation to seize the property for public use suggests that the city is willing to take a strong stance against DC Blox's plans. As the Planning Department reviews the application, residents will be watching closely to see how this development affects the future of the zoo and surrounding areas. The city's actions may also set a precedent for how Nashville balances economic development with community concerns and environmental protection in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? What This Story Is AboutMetro Nashville submitted an application to acquire the piece of property at 648 Grassmere Park, which sits directly next to the Nashville Zoo and is where DC Blox has said it wants to build a data center.Why It MattersDC Blox’s data center plans have been the center of co...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Li Cohen at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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