Full Breakdown
Nashville Zoo Opposes Adjacent AI Data Center Amid Community Pushback
6/11/2026, 7:09:28 AM
Proposed AI Data Center Adjacent to the Nashville Zoo
On June 8, 2026, the Nashville Zoo announced opposition to a 69,220-square-foot artificial-intelligence (AI) data center planned by DC BLOX on a 1.6-acre site at 648 Grassmere Park, located only 50 yards from the zoo’s perimeter. The proposal includes a single-story building, a substation and ancillary structures, and would draw at least 50 megawatts of electricity.
Background & Context
DC BLOX, an Atlanta-based digital-infrastructure provider, operates 23 data centers nationwide and markets the Nashville project as a “communications facility” to support regional internet traffic. The company notes the site previously housed a data center, suggesting existing infrastructure. The proposal arrives amid a nationwide surge in AI-driven data center construction, prompting local scrutiny of environmental and community impacts.
Key Stakeholders
- DC BLOX – Developer of the proposed facility.
- Nashville Zoo – Operator of a 3,700-animal, 350-species collection that attracted 1.4 million visitors in 2025.
- Brad Paisley – Grammy-winning country artist and Nashville resident, publicly supporting the zoo’s petition.
- Metro Nashville Government – Mayor Freddie O’Connell, chief communications officer Julie Oaks Smith, and former Metro Codes Director Bill Herbert (zoning-appeal filer).
- Community Advocates – Influencer Ali Moresco and local residents concerned about health and environmental effects.
Data & Statistics
- Facility size: 69,220 sq ft on a 23.5-acre lot.
- Power demand: 50 MW, equivalent to 30,000–50,000 single-family homes.
- Zoo assets: 3,700 animals, 350 species, 1.4 million annual visitors.
- Petition signatures: reports range from 288,000 (WSMV) to over 380,000 (USA Today) as of early June 2026.
- Proposed zoning ordinance: would prohibit data centers larger than 500,000 sq ft within half a mile of schools, homes or zoos.
Official Statements & Responses
- Nashville Zoo – Warned that the project lacks “regulations or safeguards” and that continuous power draw would strain the grid and harm “ethnically diverse communities.” The zoo filed a zoning appeal to overturn DC BLOX’s permits.
- DC BLOX – Stated it will employ “closed-loop or waterless cooling designs,” pay for all power usage, manage noise to local limits, shield lighting, and comply with federal and local environmental regulations.
- Mayor’s Office – Julie Oaks Smith said the administration is reviewing legal options to “implement safeguards to protect our air, water, and ratepayers.”
- Bill Herbert – Filed the zoning appeal, citing the need to overturn approved permits.
Criticism & Opposition
Brad Paisley labeled the proposal an “absolute nightmare scenario,” arguing the company “doesn’t have the power…or the water” and that the center would be an “enormous monstrosity” detracting from the zoo and surrounding area. Community advocate Ali Moresco expressed health concerns, noting personal vulnerability to air-pollution and citing reports of “lung irritation” near other data centers. Both voices call for stricter zoning and environmental review.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Signature counts differ across outlets (288,000 vs. 331,824 vs. 376,000 vs. 380,000). DC BLOX has not disclosed the specific clientele or AI workloads for the facility, and no independent environmental impact assessment has been released, leaving the magnitude of potential noise, light and water effects uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “AI data centers are being built at an alarming pace, posing possible risks to diverse and vulnerable communities.” — Nashville Zoo statement
- “First of all, they don’t have the power to build this; they don’t have the water; it doesn’t belong there.” — Brad Paisley, Instagram Reel
- “closed-loop or waterless cooling designs” — DC BLOX spokesperson
- “I’m chronically ill, I’m immune-compromised, and I am concerned with what’s around me, what can continue to impact my health, things like air pollution,” — Ali Moresco, interview
- “Joe Romm, a University of Pennsylvania researcher on data centers, told USA TODAY that the experience of being that close to a data center would be like living next to a loud highway or being near a helicopter.” — Joe Romm, University of Pennsylvania researcher
What’s Next
The zoning appeal will be considered at a Metro Nashville Council hearing scheduled for June 11, 2026. Council members are also debating a proposed ordinance to restrict large data centers near schools, homes and zoos. The outcome will determine whether DC BLOX proceeds, modifies its plans, or abandons the project.
