Nashville Zoo Opposes Adjacent Data Center

DC BLOX proposes a 50-megawatt data center on land adjacent to the Nashville Zoo. The zoo argues that the facility’s noise, light and electricity demand could disrupt its wildlife, especially a clouded leopard breeding program.

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The United States hosts roughly 4,000 data centers, many for AI and cloud services. Nashville Zoo, home to over 3,000 animals, is the only U.S. zoo that successfully bred clouded leopards this season, using a hand-rearing program to reduce stress.

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Feb 2026: ice-storm outage. Early June 2026: petition launched, >500,000 signatures in four weeks. June 12: opposition sign posted. Late June: mayor filed acquisition legislation; review expected 6-8 weeks.

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Rick Schwartz said the zoo is the only accredited zoo opposing an adjacent data center, citing unknown wildlife impacts. DC BLOX says its design limits sound to 65 dB, uses closed-loop cooling and shows no proven harm. Mayor O’Connell called the property a legitimate city need.

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Brad Paisley labeled the project “an absolute nightmare.” The petition’s rapid growth reflects community anxiety over sensory pollution, grid strain, and precedent for industrial sites near conservation areas.

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The zoo cites insufficient research on “sensory pollution” to assess impacts. DC BLOX points to a lack of evidence of harm, while experts note the absence of quantitative data on low-frequency noise effects.

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• “I think this is indicative of the type of interactions that data centers are now finding themselves having to deal with: concerned communities because of larger concerns around power, noise, emissions, water and other impacts,” — Costa Samaras, director, Carnegie Mellon University Scott Institute for Energy Innovation

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• “We’re not against data centers; we’re just against it here,” — Rick Schwartz, CEO, Nashville Zoo

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• “Zoo animals are often already living in semi-unnatural habitats including more often noise from an urban environment, and zookeepers work hard to make those habitats as natural-feeling as possible for the animals through enrichment, habitat design and carefully balanced meals,” — Heather Kostick, associate director, Penn Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media

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• “In Tennessee, 1 megawatt can power about 630 average homes, so this 50-megawatt data center could consume the same power as about 31,500 Tennessee homes,” — Costa Samaras, director, Carnegie Mellon University

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• “an absolute nightmare.” — Brad Paisley, country-music artist

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The case illustrates tension between expanding AI-driven data infrastructure and protecting wildlife habitats. Approval could set a precedent for siting high-energy facilities near zoos, affecting animal welfare and power reliability.

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City officials will review the acquisition legislation within six to eight weeks. DC BLOX has not set a construction timeline, while the zoo continues public outreach and seeks scientific study.

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