☀️ Sunshine before weekend rain chances. High: 81, Low: 58

📍 New in Nashville’s Neighborhoods: lots of new housing projects across Nashville, a restaurant gets a 62 on its health inspection, an alleged neighborhood junkyard, blasting planned, cleanup for a homeless camp, and much more.

📰 Also in today’s newsletter: a tax cut starting this weekend, a measles case confirmed, a drop in home prices, and more.

🏖️ Programming note: I need to take a day to focus on the business side of nash.news, so I’ll be back in your inbox for election day!

🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

All over Nashville

• A lot of filings just came in for new housing and mixed-use developments. Neighbors included: Downtown, Hermitage, East Nashville, Antioch, just outside of Hendersonville, and near Wedgewood-Houston. I’ve put them into this map for you.

East Nashville

• Restaurant gets a 62: A health inspection at El Jalicience Mexican Restaurant at 3225 Gallatin Pike noted issues with food temperature, “improper handwashing,” and “slime like build up” in an ice machine. You can read the full inspection here. You’ll find a link to all restaurant inspections at the end of the newsletter.

• Alleged neighborhood junkyard: Someone told hubNashville the back yard of a property on Douglas Avenue was being used “as a junkyard” with “abandoned vehicles everywhere,” and a Metro Codes inspector told the owner to clean it up. Among the alleged violations: accumulation of motor vehicles, open storage of junk on the property, parking on the grass, and a missing building permit.

The Nations

• Blasting planned: $1.8 million worth of blasting is planned for 7228 Centennial Boulevard, according to a new Metro permit application. It’s part of the massive Prologis City View project, which you can read more about here. The permit doesn’t give a timeline for when blasting will happen, so I’ll keep watching for updates.

Hermitage

• Homeless camp cleanup: Metro Codes told the owner of the shopping center at 5502 Old Hickory Boulevard to clean up junk, trash, and debris on the property. A Metro database mentions “homeless camps” and the “area adjacent to Outback property along OHB corridor.”

North Nashville

• “Operating anyway”: The Airbnb ad for this property on 32nd Avenue North calls it a “downtown oasis.” Someone reported the property to hubNashville, alleging it was “denied [a] permit and operating anyway.” Metro Codes told the owner to pull down the listing. More: my reporting on the top neighborhoods for illegal short-term listings.

• Eaton’s Creek Neighborhood Cleanup: Metro asked volunteers to meet across from 1040 Rambling Brook Road. The cleanup runs from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. tomorrow. More details here.

Antioch

• High-profile new businesses: Wawa hopes to open at the intersection of Murfreesboro Pike and Mt. View Road in the first quarter of 2028, Metro Council member Joy Styles said. She also indicated Antioch is getting a Barnes and Noble, but she didn’t give an exact address.

• Art on hold: I shared in August that Metro Arts planned to issue a call for artists to help with a new public arts installation at the new Mariposa Park (140 Tusculum Road). That’s now on hold. Metro Arts wanted to limit the call to regional artists, but Metro’s Procurement and Legal Departments said that likely violates state law, even though Metro Arts said it’s been done before. So, this will likely have implications beyond Mariposa Park.

Old Hickory

• Plans for vacant land: A used car dealership and repair shop are planned for vacant land at the corner of Swinging Bridge Road and Burnett Road, according to a new building permit application. It doesn’t name the dealership, but the building is supposed to be more than 11,000 square feet.

Brentioch

• New drive-thru coffee shop: A new building permit application indicates 7 Brew Coffee plans to open at 5748 Nolensville Pike. It’ll be drive-thru only. Here’s a copy of its menu.

📰 A few more stories I’m following…

• Tax decrease: The cut to Davidson County’s portion of the grocery tax takes effect on Sunday. The city’s rate is currently 2.25%. It’ll drop to 1.75%. The cut is expected to save the average family about $75 per year. You’ll still pay the full 4% state grocery tax.

• Measles case confirmed: Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital confirmed to WSMV it treated a child for measles this week. The station did not have confirmation of whether the child was vaccinated.

• Home prices decrease: The Nashville metropolitan area’s ranked fifth in the nation for “Metros with biggest year-over-year [median sales price] decreases,” according to new data from Redfin. Prices in our market dropped 3.3% compared to last year versus the national average of -0.1%.

• Extreme drought: Maybe this weekend’s rain will help a bit, but a map released yesterday by the U.S. Drought Monitor says Nashville is in “extreme drought.” That’s one step below the worst level, “exceptional drought,” which is already impacting far west Tennessee.

• Poll results: I asked nash.news readers whether they’ll use the Music City Loop. 83% of respondents said no. 17% said yes.

🍽️ Restaurant inspections

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Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you on Tuesday! —Ryan

☀️ More sunshine through tomorrow followed by rain chances through at least Tuesday. High: 80, Low: 50

📍 New in Nashville’s Neighborhoods: a $140 billion question about Nashville’s toll lanes, parents’ concerns about alleged school abuse, the location of a Music City Loop station, changes to library parking, a teardown for a luxury home, and more movement on a high-profile project that stalled.

📰 Also in today’s newsletter: NES still behind on tree trimming, more than 1,000 pounds of meth, and the last day of early voting.

🔒 New today for nash.news Insiders

• The Cutting Room Floor: I review dozens of sources every day. Not everything can fit into the newsletter. nash.news Insiders get exclusive access to my map of what I’ve found across Nashville. Click here to access the map.

Not a nash.news Insider? Get access to exclusive content and support local neighborhood reporting for just $5 per month. Cancel anytime.

🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

Southeast

• $140 billion question: TDOT announced it expects the companies that are building and financing toll lanes on I-24 from I-440 to Murfreesboro to pay the state more than $140 billion over 50 years of operations plus nearly $8 billion by 2035. I’ve asked TDOT to clarify the math behind that new number, including the average toll each year and the projected number of trips. TDOT said in August it “projected $24.8 billion in concession value to Tennessee,” and now says that amount is secured. I’ll let you know if I figure out how the numbers relate.

Hermitage

• Abuse allegations: Two parents of former Dodson Elementary School students asked Metro’s school board this week to investigate alleged abuse in a special education classroom. WKRN reported in September on a former special education teacher who “said she witnessed verbal and physical abuse to special education students by paraprofessionals.” In public comment at this week’s school board meeting, a mother of a special education student said she found out about the allegations on TikTok, and the district has blocked her attempts to move her child to a different Metro school. Another mother, through a translator, said her son now “hides under the tables in fear and becomes defenseless because he fears that we will do something to him.” You can watch the parents’ full statements here. I asked a district spokesperson whether it had a response. The district previously told WKRN it placed the involved paraprofessionals on leave while DCS investigates.

• Today at 4:30 p.m.: Another opportunity to give your input on renovations to the Hermitage Library. Here are details about the community meeting. The library said it’ll also have a survey at some point.

Near Donelson

• Music City Loop station: The underground Tesla tunnel’s dropoff and pickup station at Nashville International Airport will be “located next to the front door of the terminal, in place of the taxi and limousine pickup area,” The Tennessean reported. I haven’t seen an updated timeline for when the tunnel from downtown Nashville to the airport will open, and the company didn’t respond when I recently asked how far it’s gotten with digging. Shortly after the project was announced, The Boring Company said it hoped to have part of the tunnel operational in early 2027. I reported earlier this month that The Boring Company said a third tunnel boring machine will launch this month, and a fourth should be in the ground before the end of the year.

Madison

• Movement on stalled Madison Station project: I shared in September that a new developer was taking over at least part of this project first announced in 2022. It originally included apartments, retail, parks, and more, built over several phases at 721 Madison Square. The new developer said it planned to build 211 apartments after the original development team ran into financing issues, and now it’s filed for permits to build three apartment buildings. As of a month ago, the developer hoped to start construction in November.

North Nashville

• Pilot program: The future of this Metro-owned property has been talked about for at least half a decade, and it looks like there will be some action in the next six months or so. A Metro Planning official said Metro plans to rezone its nearly 3-acre property at 2119 24th Avenue North so it can partner with a private developer to build affordable housing — likely a mix of single-family homes and townhomes. The city plans to release four other properties for development in the next six months, but the official didn’t say where.

• New cigar lounge: Barrel and Leaf just received a permit to open a cigar lounge at 2022 Clarksville Pike. I haven’t been able to track down contact information for the owner, so I don’t have an opening date for you.

Downtown

• Library parking: A change takes effect on Monday. “Customers can get 4 hours of parking for $4.00 plus a $0.99 fee, for a total of $4.99 at Nashville City Center (NCC), located at 220 6th Avenue North,” Nashville Public Library shared on Instagram. “Discounted parking at the McKendree Garage and the parking garage at 144 Rep. John Lewis Way North will be unavailable after November 1,” its post said. I reported last month that an NDOT official said he’s “not making a promise,” but he hopes a portion of the downtown library’s parking garage — about 300 spaces — can reopen by the end of the year. It’s been closed since a fire in 2025.

• Expansion unveiled: Robert’s Western World shared this video of its expansion into the former Jack’s Bar-B-Que space on Broadway. The expansion allowed updates to the kitchen and “our front bar to horseshoe around to give more room for everyone AND a bigger dance floor!”

West End

• Farmers market to storefront: You might recognize it from the Richland Park Farmers Market. Bellechasse Bakehouse, which describes itself as “Montreal trained, focused on quality and naturally leavened bread in Nashville,” just got its permit to open at 303 31st Avenue North. The business told me via Instagram “we are hoping for a late winter opening date. Possibly February.”

Green Hills

• Old to new: I just reported last week on the top neighborhoods for home teardowns — often to make room for new luxury homes. I started looking into that story because of reports of a strong luxury home market, along with permit filings in Green Hills and Belle Meade. Here’s a fresh example. A home built in 1930 on Cantrell Avenue got a demolition permit in June. Just a little over four months later, a new permit application lists $4.25 million in construction to build a 7,467-square-foot home on the property. And speaking of demolitions, in Charlotte Park, permit applications indicate neighboring homes at 442 and 444 Thunderbird Court will be torn down.

Bellevue

• Traffic calming: NDOT will host a virtual meeting tonight on its traffic calming plans for Somerset Place. It starts at 7 p.m. Here’s a link to the meeting information. Want traffic calming on your street? This website tells you how the process works.

Near Germantown

• Demolition planned: I haven’t confirmed what’s next for the property, but a permit application requests permission to tear down the commercial building at 1033 Jefferson Street. The building next door at 1037 Jefferson Street is currently listed for sale.

📰 A few more stories I’m following…

• Still behind on tree trimming: I’m surprised this is still an issue after the January ice storm (and the revelation that an audit warned NES months before that its backlog of tree trimming could worsen power outages.) Data shared by NES yesterday indicated the utility fell short again of its tree trimming goals in September. It trimmed 80 miles of vegetation with a goal of more than 120. As of October 23, the utility said it trimmed 62% of what it had hoped to trim at that point in the fiscal year. NES’s CEO said yesterday “there were significant strides made in onboarding additional planners and trimmers to increase output, and we’re seeing results.” For example, the utility said it trimmed 67 miles of vegetation just last week. Hopefully that pace will allow it to catch up before the next storm hits.

• More than 1,000 pounds of meth: It’s a wild story from the Department of Justice. The feds allege two Tennessee prisoners helped run a Sinaloa cartel-linked drug operation in Nashville and throughout Middle Tennessee. This announcement details how the men worked with “The Office” in other countries, and the steps traffickers took to stay ahead of law enforcement, including “frequently changed vehicle ownership.” A grand jury indicted 24 people in the investigation. Law enforcement also seized more than 1,000 pounds of meth, along with fentanyl and cocaine. The drugs were “primarily from locations in Davidson County,” Metro Police Chief John Drake said.

• Last day of early voting: Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. Here’s a list of early voting locations. As of Tuesday, turnout in Davidson County paced 70% ahead of 2022 and about 13% behind 2018, according to data from Tennessee’s Secretary of State. Overall, more than 24% of Davidson County’s registered voters have cast a ballot in this year’s midterm. That’s better than the statewide rate of 21%.

• Walk a shelter dog: I’ve had such good experiences with rescue dogs (I found our dog Troy at a shelter), and I love this idea from Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control. It’s inviting people to take a shelter dog on a two-mile walk at Mill Creek Greenway. It offers 10 spots per week. This post gives you more information on how to sign up.

🍽️ Restaurant inspections

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Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan

☀️ More sunshine today with rain chances on Saturday and Sunday. High: 78, Low: 47

📍 New in Nashville’s Neighborhoods: updates on three projects on the East Bank with a Super Bowl deadline looming, Nashville’s first Wawa, Melting Pot’s return, a package theft warning, a restaurant gets a 61 on its health inspection, more legal trouble for Cheekwood, and a Waymo service expansion

🔒 New today for nash.news Insiders

• The Cutting Room Floor: I review dozens of sources every day. Not everything can fit into the newsletter. nash.news Insiders get exclusive access to my map of what I’ve found across Nashville. Click here to access the map.

Not a nash.news Insider? Get access to exclusive content and support local neighborhood reporting for just $5 per month. Cancel anytime.

🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

Downtown (and nearby)

• Lots of East Bank developments:

  • The hotel next to the new Titans stadium still won’t be ready in time for the 2030 Super Bowl, but the developer plans to pause construction for two weeks around the event. “Our goal right now is how do we make the site and the building as complete and good looking as possible for fan experience, for camera shots, for all of that,” Fallon CEO Michael Fallon said. You can see renderings at about 1:05:00 into this video.

  • Construction on TPAC’s new location is scheduled to start in February. It isn’t expected to be finished until the third quarter of 2030, months after the Super Bowl. However, “it will appear substantially complete prior to the Super Bowl,” a leader on the construction team said. You can watch updates on the design at about 29:00 into this video.

  • Construction to lower James Robertson Parkway as it approaches the bridge over the Cumberland River is set to begin in the second quarter of next year, according to an East Bank Development Authority presentation. Work is supposed to be finished in the third quarter of 2029. Here’s WTVF’s report on the purpose of the project. The authority approved spending up to $65 million on the project.

• Melting Pot’s return: The restaurant announced in January that its lease on Second Avenue had been terminated as it attempted to rebuild from the 2020 Christmas Day bombing. Now it’s coming back. Melting Pot’s website says it’ll reopen in early 2027 at 315 Deaderick Street.

Bellevue

• Wawa opening date: I told nash.news readers last month that Nashville’s first Wawa gas station would open at Highway 100 and Temple Road in mid-November, and now there’s an exact date. The chain confirmed to The Tennessean it’ll open on November 19. Wawa recently received a building permit for a gas station in Hermitage at 5360 Old Hickory Boulevard. More: other potential locations and what delayed a store in Antioch.

• Restaurant gets a 61: The health inspector who visited Ninki Hibachi & K-BBQ at 8121 Sawyer Brown Road reported an employee not washing their hands after touching something on the floor, “raw beef stored above yum yum sauce,” and more. You can read the full inspection here. I link to all restaurant inspections at the end of the newsletter.

North Nashville

• Package theft warning: Thieves are watching delivery drivers and stealing packages within minutes of them being dropped off at homes, the Metro Police Department’s North Precinct Commander Steven Bowers warned at a community meeting this week. “These are happening in broad daylight, so these are not at nighttime. These are where individuals are walking up and down the streets and just kind of eyeballing the porches.” Overall larceny (theft) cases are down more than 15% compared to last year in Nashville, according to police data. Bowers estimated package theft makes up roughly 90% of thefts in his precinct.

Belle Meade

• More Cheekwood legal trouble: A neighborhood group, upset about the noise and traffic that’s come with the botanical garden’s expansion over decades, is asking a judge (again) to intervene. This time, the group is appealing a decision by Metro’s Board of Zoning Appeals. The board refused to overturn a permit for a new parking garage that the group claims violates the city’s zoning rules. You can read the lawsuit here. Separately, neighbors sued Cheekwood for damages for allegedly being a nuisance, and the group sued Metro for not enforcing its interpretation of zoning and noise laws.

Germantown

• “WE NEED YOU, NASHVILLE.”: One of the owners of the Germantown Pub pleaded for customers in a video posted to Facebook. “If things don’t pick up, we may have to make the difficult decision to do things differently,” the post said. “So if you’ve been meaning to stop by, this is your sign.”

• Traffic calming meeting: NDOT will talk about its plans for Arthur Avenue tonight. The virtual meeting starts at 6 p.m. Here’s a link with more information.

East Nashville

• Sign crackdown: This kind of enforcement by Metro Codes often seems to sweep up several properties in the same area on the same day. This week, it was Dickerson Pike’s turn. Properties at 2919, 3037, and 3041 Dickerson Pike were flagged for alleged sign violations. Codes also issued a notice nearby at 801 East Trinity Lane.

Whites Creek

• 306 new apartments: Developers applied for permits to construct a 10-building apartment complex at 633 West Green Lane. The complex is called Pointe Grand Whites Creek. Its website, which also mentions townhome and single-family home rentals, gives you an idea of what the units will look like.

Hermitage

• Mystery solved: I reported a few weeks ago that an office building at 4733 Andrew Jackson Parkway would be torn down, but I hadn’t confirmed plans for the property. I just got an answer from building permits: Ascend Federal Credit Union plans to open a branch.

• Reminder: You can give input today on renovations to the Hermitage branch of the Nashville Public Library. More details here.

Antioch

• Transforming mostly open land: 169 new townhomes are coming to 3124 Murfreesboro Pike, based on a permit application that would allow the project to advance. You’ll find some drawings of the neighborhood near the end of this (long) document.

📰 A few more stories I’m following…

• Waymo expansion: The service area for Waymo’s self-driving taxis will expand “farther east toward the airport and south toward Oak Hill, giving riders access to more of Nashville, including Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, the Mall at Green Hills and Lipscomb University,” a spokesperson tells me. Here’s a link to a map of the updated service area.

• And moving underground: I found this story from the Tennessee Lookout interesting. “Tennessee subterranean authority member won’t take first Boring Company tunnel ride”

• Poll results: I asked nash.news readers whether they’re satisfied with Nashville’s approach to its street parking spots. 96% of respondents said no. 4% said yes.

🍽️ Restaurant inspections

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Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan

☀️ Rain chance returns on Halloween, sunshine after patchy fog today. High: 78, Low: 53

📍 New in Nashville’s Neighborhoods: targeting nightclubs in strip malls, Oracle’s groundbreaking, shutting down Taylor Swift rumors, an appeal over Metro’s street parking, a road closure, a popular restaurant’s return, and much more.

📰 Also in today’s newsletter: addressing a Super Bowl concern, Airbnb pushback, and a #1 ranking in Nashville’s real estate market.

🔒 New today for nash.news Insiders

• How Nashville police response times have changed by zip code

• October 27th edition of The Cutting Room Floor: I review dozens of sources every day. Not everything can fit into the newsletter. nash.news Insiders get exclusive access to my map of what I’ve found across Nashville. Click here to access the map.

Not a nash.news Insider? Get access to exclusive content and support local neighborhood reporting for just $5 per month. Cancel anytime.

Become a nash.news Insider

🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

Antioch

• Nightclubs in strip malls: Metro Council member Joy Styles said she’ll try again to ban nightclubs in strip malls after a man was shot outside a hookah lounge at the intersection of Bell Road and Murfreesboro Pike early Sunday morning. She called that specific location a nuisance after several shootings in the past 18 months. Styles withdrew her previous legislation to keep nightclubs out of strip centers in April. She said the Planning Department couldn’t finalize a definition for a nightclub, so she plans to work on one. You can watch Styles’ full video here where she shares concerns about police funding and how she believes it could’ve made a difference with this shooting.

Downtown (and nearby)

• Oracle groundbreaking: The company appears to be breaking ground next month on its new 82-acre campus in the River North neighborhood, which stretches from Jefferson Street to I-65 on the East Bank. It announced several days of events in mid-November to “celebrate our Nashville groundbreaking.” I shared last month Oracle’s plans filed with Metro, which include five clusters of buildings behind a greenway on the East Bank, a hotel, a two-acre park, an amphitheater, and retail.

• Pedestrian bridge construction: Work on a new connector to Wasioto Park is expected to start on November 2, WZTV reported, but the bridge is supposed to stay open. I reported in September that the bridge will eventually be extended by about 750 feet to link directly with the new Titans stadium campus. The project, estimated to cost up to $75 million, will be paid for with tourism-related tax revenue that was initially set aside to pay off Music City Center debt and then moved to East Bank projects by Tennessee’s legislature. Major construction on the extension would start in 2028 with completion in fall 2029 ahead of the 2030 Super Bowl, according to a Titans representative.

Music Row

• Parking appeal: I’ve reported on people in multiple neighborhoods who are frustrated with how Nashville balances its street parking spots between residents and visitors. Now a resident is asking a judge to intervene, essentially alleging years of contradictory administrative roadblocks to “protect localized parking meter revenue.” Metro’s Traffic and Parking Commission denied a request from him and neighbors to convert some paid parking spots on 18th Avenue South to residential permit parking. You can read the full lawsuit here. I reached out to NDOT for comment late yesterday afternoon. I’ll let you know if I hear back.

Green Hills

• Shutting down rumors: The Bluebird Cafe has several closures for private events this week and apparently some Taylor Swift fans thought it could be connected with her induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. “As much as we wish we had a Taylor-sized surprise up our sleeves, this week’s private event closures are for an unrelated filming that happened to fall on the same week,” the venue shared on Instagram yesterday. “Join us in celebrating 20 years of Taylor Swift. But don’t show up tomorrow (please). 😂🙏”

Donelson

• Correction: I incorrectly reported yesterday that the new Donelson Transit Center is funded by the half-cent sales tax increase approved by voters for the “Choose How You Move” transit plan. Former Metro Council member Jeff Syracuse let me know the bus service expansion is funded by that tax, but funding for the transit center came from “various sources” over his eight years in office. I apologize for my mistake — I’ll always let you know if I get it wrong.

West Nashville

• Melissa’s Sir Pizza returns: Melissa’s Sir Pizza was forced to close this summer after 60 years because, it said, the landlord sold its property on Charlotte Pike to make way for condos and apartments. The restaurant just announced it’ll open its food truck on Friday and Saturday in front of its new location at 1109 63rd Avenue North. It’ll serve only small pizzas. More in this Facebook post.

Madison

• Codes enforcement sweep: 10 property owners in Madison were told to clean up their properties on Friday, according to Metro Codes data. All but two of the properties were on Sioux Terrace. Most of the properties were flagged for either parking on the grass or junk on the property.

East Nashville

• Plans for vacant land: An empty lot at 2525 Gallatin Avenue will become a four-story mixed-use development with commercial space on the ground floor and residential space on the top three floors, according to a new building permit. The permit doesn’t say what’ll move into the bottom floor, but the permit’s classification is “retail stores.”

The Nations

• New sports card store: Replay Sports Cards opened its first Nashville store at 5300 Centennial Boulevard over the weekend. “The new shop is owned by longtime collector and entrepreneur Richard ‘RJ’ Cardente,” the company said. This article shares more about his background and how the store works.

South Nashville

• Closure for Nolensville Pike widening: Barnes Road at Nolensville Pike is now closed. TDOT predicts it’ll reopen in March 2027. “The purpose of this closure is for utility relocation, the building of an additional turn lane onto Nolensville Pike, and the building of a right turn lane onto Labrador Lane,” TDOT said. Here’s a link to detour information.

Hermitage

• Library renovation input: I reported last week that bidding documents indicate the Hermitage library branch will close next year for renovations through the beginning of 2028. You have two opportunities this week to give your input at the Hermitage Community Center. The first is Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The second is Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The library said it’ll also share a community survey “as soon as it’s ready.” The bidding document, which you can read here, describes gutting the building.

North Nashville

• Community meeting: Metro Council member Jennifer Gamble plans to discuss public safety updates and proposed developments on Brick Church Pike and Old Hickory Boulevard at a community meeting tonight. It starts at 6 p.m. at the Parkwood Community Center. More info here. Gamble shared a list of development updates in her newsletter.

📰 A few more stories I’m following…

• What I’m watching today: The East Bank Development Authority meets this morning. Will it resolve concerns that a hotel next to the new Nissan Stadium won’t be ready in time for the 2030 Super Bowl? One idea that was pitched at the last meeting: holding off on the project until after the Super Bowl, so we don’t look like a construction site on the national stage.

• #1 in the country: Homes newly listed for sale in the Nashville metropolitan area since mid-September increased nearly 19% compared to last year, according to new data from Redfin. That’s the biggest percentage increase in the United States. Another sign the market is tilting toward buyers — if you can afford to buy.

• Airbnb pushback: I shared a few weeks ago that Nashville’s short-term rental supply has dropped slightly in 2026 after years of double-digit growth. I’ll be keeping an even closer eye on this number after Airbnb changed its policy to essentially ban hosts from making you do a long list of chores. I’ve seen countless X posts from frustrated hosts in the past few days. I can see both sides of this, but the chore list is a major reason I stopped staying at Airbnbs whenever possible. More: Nashville’s top neighborhoods for illegal short-term rentals.

• Poll results: I asked nash.news readers whether downtown businesses should get any tourism-tax funded grants. 58% of respondents said no. 42% said yes.

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Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan

She acknowledged, “it’s a small issue in the grand scheme of things,” and it turned out officers were responding to a shooting at Bell Road and Murfreesboro Pike. (Here’s a link to her video where she shares concerns about police funding.)

Her story made me wonder whether the time it takes for an officer to arrive on scene after a call has improved or gotten worse, so I analyzed zip-code level data for nash.news Insiders.

Read more

⛅ Patchy morning fog with more sunshine and 70s this week. High: 77, Low: 44

📍 New in Nashville’s Neighborhoods: stalled safety projects, the Bluebird Cafe sues, a tire smell complaint, a restaurant closure reversal, protecting a neighborhood from more expansion, a bar’s legal trouble for “unauthorized public performances,” and much more.

📰 Also in today’s newsletter: an updated list of “No Right on Red” intersections, an alleged phone scammer caught, and a check on early voting.

🔒 The Cutting Room Floor

I review dozens of sources every day. Not everything can fit into the newsletter. nash.news Insiders get exclusive access to my map of what I’ve found across Nashville.

Already a nash.news Insider? Click here to access the map.

Want to join? Just click the button below. It’s $5 per month if you select the monthly option. Cancel anytime.

Become a nash.news Insider

🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

Downtown

• Still unresolved: After an apparently distracted driver hit a pedal tavern on Demonbreun Street and injured nine people, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said some road safety projects in downtown Nashville are still on pause because of a new law passed by the state legislature. I reported in August that the law essentially gives the state more oversight and power in Tourism Development Zones in Tennessee, including downtown Nashville. But it’s led to confusion over what Metro can and can’t do — to the point that an NDOT official said a state commissioner had to “personally intervene” with a film permit. “We’re still coordinating with state partners to see what is still possible,” O’Connell said on Friday.

• Will businesses get tax-funded grants? Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell is part of a new state board that will decide whether some of Nashville’s excess tourism tax money goes to grants for downtown bars and restaurants after their property tax bills increased. (State lawmakers limited the money to downtown.) Former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam is also on the board, and I reported earlier this month that he said giving money to individual businesses could be a “nightmare” and that the board should “think about things that are going to be for the greater good.” O’Connell was asked to respond on Friday. He said, “I agree with Governor Haslam about the application of these things.” He mentioned the small size of the Metro Police Department’s Central Precinct, and said “we may look at potential for expansion of some kind of public safety expansion there that could include police, fire, and [Office of Emergency Management.]” But O’Connell also said he hopes for “bipartisan legislation that offers people a few types of relief,” though he didn’t give specifics.

Green Hills

• The Bluebird Cafe sues: The owners of this iconic piece of Nashville joined neighboring businesses at 4104 Hillsboro Pike to sue over the mixed-use development next door known as The Rosette. The plaintiffs claim their building flooded in 2025 because the team behind The Rosette “rebuilt the drainage at the property line so that the stormwater … had to pass through a grate that was too small to carry it.” They’re asking for more than $300,000 in damages plus punitive damages. You can read the full lawsuit here.

Hermitage

• Tire shop cleanup: After someone complained to Metro Codes about the smell coming from trash and tires behind a tire shop at 4724 Old Hickory Boulevard, an inspector told the property owner to address an alleged open storage violation. The inspector is scheduled to visit the property again on November 19 to verify the issue has been addressed.

• New bar: Hermitage Social, a restaurant and sports lounge, received a permit to open at 5751 Old Hickory Boulevard. Its operating hours will be limited to 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., according to the permit. I haven’t seen an opening date. It appears to be replacing The End Zone Sports Bar and Grill.

Sylvan Park

• Closure reversal: The owner of Punk Wok at Sylvan Supply (4101 Charlotte Avenue) planned to close the restaurant yesterday after saying on Instagram that “people just quit coming.” Not anymore. “Huge thanks to a partner, CBRE Management & the Sylvan Supply Owner as well as the massive wave of support, we will be able to stay open,” the owner wrote on Instagram. He said he’s taking a few days off and will reopen on Thursday.

West End

• Protecting a neighborhood: When Vanderbilt University won rezoning approval last month for its 40-acre “Innovation Neighborhood,” which includes towers as tall as 30 stories, some neighbors worried Vanderbilt could eventually expand further into their neighborhood. Metro’s Planning Commission attempted to address those concerns last week by approving a policy that supports “continued residential uses.” You can see a map of the affected properties on page 8 of this document.

Madison

• “Unauthorized public performances”: “Neon Moon,” “Two Princes,” “Goodbye Earl,” “Angel,” “Dirt Road Anthem.” The Lucky Nut bar at 701 Gallatin Pike North just got sued over alleged performances of those songs. Broadcast Music, Inc. claims it’s reached out to the bar more than 70 times about the need to buy a license to perform its songs. Now it’s asking for damages for alleged copyright infringement. You can read the full lawsuit here.

Cane Ridge

• New neighborhood: Metro’s Planning Commission approved rezoning to allow 109 homes around 1010 Battle Road. They’ll be part of a 55+ community called Courtyards at Battle Grove. Developers plan to keep nearly 60% of the 82-acre property as open space by building the homes on only a section of the property. You can read more about the plans on page 15 of this document.

Donelson

• New transit center: In addition to more bus service, the new Donelson Transit Center will include six bus bays with covered waiting areas and eventually a climate-controlled indoor waiting area. WeGo Transit’s CEO told Metro’s Transit Authority last week that infrastructure improvement designs are going through the permitting process now and “we expect to be out to bid for construction of those improvements by first of the year.” All of the improvements are expected to be finished by the end of next year, according to WeGo’s website.

Antioch (and nearby)

• New Second Harvest Food Bank campus: Construction appears to be imminent on a new 200,000-square-foot distribution center at 1301 Donelson Pike. The project just received a building permit for more than $39 million in construction. When Second Harvest announced plans for its new campus, the nonprofit said its current distribution center in Metro Center “has reached maximum capacity.” Nearly 113,000 people are experiencing food insecurity in Nashville, according to data shared by Second Harvest.

• Record broken: An Antioch High School football player broke a state record at Friday night’s game, Metro School Board member Cheryl Mayes said. More from her in this post.

Germantown

• Fixes at Nashville Sounds stadium: I reported last month that the concrete has settled unevenly in First Horizon Park’s center field, so the edges are being sanded down to prevent anyone from tripping. One of the unanswered questions at the time was who would pay for the fixes, but now Metro’s Sports Authority says it’s responsible. The authority also approved hiring a company to spend about six weeks developing a repair plan. A consultant recently said First Horizon Park, which opened in 2015, will need $107 million in investments over the next 20 years to keep it operating.

• Nashville’s oldest library branch: Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie paid for more than 2,500 libraries starting in the late 1800s. The North Branch of the Nashville Public Library is one of them, and now it has a new historical marker to celebrate its 111-year history. More in this video.

Near East Nashville

• New Mexican ice cream shop: La Michoacana Deluxe plans to open a new location at 3138 Dickerson Pike, based on a newly issued building permit. The Google listing for the Madison location gives you an idea of what’s on the menu and customer favorites.

North Nashville

• Community meeting tonight: Metro Council member Kyonzté Toombs said she’ll give “important updates” tonight about several rezonings. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. You can join in person or virtually. More details here.

📰 A few more stories I’m following…

• Updated “No Right on Red” list: WPLN confirmed where NDOT will ban right turns at red lights over the next few weeks. The sponsor of legislation that would’ve implemented the ban at 59 intersections across Nashville pulled her bill after NDOT agreed to roll out changes at some intersections without legislation.

• Alleged scammer caught: I rarely see a phone scammer get caught, but Metro Police say a Texas woman was arrested. According to police, she was “involved in a scheme to coerce victims into paying bonds and fees for persons in the Metro jail.” A victim sent $1,275 to an account linked to the suspect, police said. So far this year, Tennesseans have lost more than $8.5 million to scammers posing as the government, according to the FTC. It’s the most common scam in the state for all age groups except for children.

• Child sex abuse lawsuit: A federal judge rejected the Diocese of Nashville’s attempt to throw out a lawsuit over alleged sexual abuse by a priest decades ago, WKRN reported.

• Early voting check: Davidson County is now pacing 93% ahead of the 2022 midterm and 16% behind the 2018 midterm, according to this dashboard from Tennessee’s Secretary of State. Thursday is the last day to vote early. Here’s a link to locations. Also, Nashville State Senator Heidi Campbell shared this update about voting machine concerns.

🍽️ Restaurant inspections

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• List

Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan

☀️ Weather

Still no rain in the forecast through at least Wednesday. High: 76, Low: 48.

🚨 Pedal tavern hit by driver who said he was distracted

Metro Police shared pictures of the crash scene here. An SUV rear-ended a pedal tavern near 1033 Demonbreun Street at about 8:30 p.m. last night.

Police initially said nine of 12 pedal tavern passengers were hurt, and at least two of them had serious injuries. Their conditions improved overnight. Police posted to X that six of the riders are still in the hospital, but their conditions are stable and non-critical.

The driver of the SUV told police he was distracted. Police haven’t said whether he’ll be charged.

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🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

All of Nashville

• Home teardown increase: Demolish an old home. Replace it with a new luxury home. I review permit data every day for this newsletter, and I sensed this was happening more frequently around Belle Meade as luxury home sales surge in Nashville. To confirm whether there’s a trend, I pulled residential demolition permits going back to January 2025. Those permits are largely used to tear down homes but can sometimes be used for smaller projects. Then, I used artificial intelligence to help analyze the data. Here’s how the first 10 months of 2026 compare to the same period last year (the overall county increase is 7%):

  1. 37210 (Wedgewood-Houston, Chestnut Hill): 9 → 16, up 78%

  2. 37216 (Inglewood): 18 → 25, up 39%

  3. 37204 (12South, Melrose, Berry Hill): 26 → 36, up 38%

  4. 37205 (Belle Meade, West Meade): 53 → 71, up 34%

  5. 37207 (North Nashville, Dickerson Pike): 29 → 33, up 14%

Downtown (and nearby)

• Inside the new Titans stadium: The roof is closed, and now the field slab is being poured. 23,000 out of 60,000 seats have been installed. At yesterday’s Metro Sports Authority meeting, I learned the stadium will have 50 markets that use Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. You can scan your credit card to enter the market. Then, cameras in the store track what you take out and automatically charge you without you waiting in a checkout line. Titans staff expect to start moving into the stadium in January.

• Dimming the lights: Broadway businesses and bars will dim their lights at 9 p.m. tonight to honor Jack Cawthon, WKRN reported. Cawthon’s restaurant, Jack’s Bar-B-Que, announced yesterday that he died of cancer. He was 80 years old.

• Construction warning: In case you’re heading to Centennial Park in the next few weeks, here’s a warning from Metro Parks. “There are temporary closures from the west side of the Parthenon toward 31st Avenue due to ongoing construction. Please expect detours and limited access in the area,” the department said in a Facebook post. Here’s a link to a map.

Hermitage

• Early voting leader: The Hermitage branch of the Nashville Public Library leads Davidson County for the number of people who’ve voted in the midterm election. As of Wednesday, 7,870 people had voted at this location, according to the Davidson County Election Commission. I reported on Monday a 600% increase in early voting in Davidson County compared to the 2022 midterm. The difference has since fallen to less than 200%, according to Tennessee’s Secretary of State, and Davidson County is still pacing about 20% behind 2018.

The Nations

• “The reality for many restaurants”: Yesterday, I shared two restaurant closures around The Nations and Sylvan Park, including 51 North Taproom. It shared this video from lunchtime yesterday, making the point of why it’s closing. “We have zero customers and have had one small togo order,” the restaurant said. “Our post about closing has reached over 102K with such a wonderful outpouring of love and support, BUT this is REALITY.”

Antioch

• Community cleanup: The 2nd Annual All Antioch Clean Up continues tomorrow morning. You can go to Compton’s Foodland at 2808 Old Smith Springs Road to get rid of bulk items at no charge. You can also donate, recycle, or shred. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. More details here.

• And speaking of cleanup: After someone reported that a home on Legacy Drive looked like it had been looted with open windows, screens slashed, and junk on the property, Metro Codes ordered the property’s owner to clean it up. Among the requests: remove all flaking or peeling paint from wood on the house.

Music Row

• Studio to restaurant: A former radio-television studio at 802 18th Avenue South will become a restaurant, according to a new permit for nearly $700,000 in renovations. The Nashville Business Journal reported earlier this year that Hive Hospitality, a Washington, D.C.-based company, planned to open Studio by Jônt at this location. The company’s website says its portfolio “includes multiple Michelin-recognized establishments.”

North Nashville

• “Repeat offender”: Metro Codes cited two property owners that it calls “repeat” offenders for property standards issues like tall grass. One is at 1501 21st Avenue North (filing here). The other is at 2014 24th Avenue North, which the inspector called “Repeat Offender x3.” When a property issue escalates to a citation, a judge can order cleanup and possibly fine the owner.

South Nashville

• Pet food pantry: Know someone who needs help with food for their dog or cat? The Pet Community Center will host a drive-thru pet food pantry tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Just go to 5233 Harding Place. “Food will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis,” the organization said. Here’s its full post.

📰 A few final headlines…

• Respiratory virus activity increasing: Vanderbilt Health warned that confirmed cases of RSV and flu are “on the rise” in Middle Tennessee, and people are still getting sick with COVID. I checked state health data, and it shows a “moderate” level of flu-like illnesses while activity in most of the state remains “minimal.”

• Nashville layoffs: I shared this week that the General Jackson Showboat would end service in December. A new notice filed with the state, which is required for mass layoffs, says 114 people will lose their jobs. And separately, a manufacturing company called AkzoNobel says 76 people will lose their jobs when it closes its facility at 20 Culvert Street. Davidson County’s unemployment rate dropped last month to 2.8% from 3% in August, according to new state data.

• The Reba Collection: This morning at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium, country star Reba McEntire is auctioning off gowns, awards, jewelry, a signed script, and much more to benefit The Reba McEntire Fund. The fund supports charitable projects across the country. You can see the full list of items here. The auction starts at 10 a.m.

• “Crush the Crisis”: Have prescription drugs you need to get rid of? TriStar Health says it’ll offer a “safe and anonymous way” for you to do so at multiple locations tomorrow. Here’s the list.

🍔 MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville. And here’s a list version.

Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you next week! —Ryan

☀️ Weather

Cool mornings and warm days on repeat through at least early next week. High: 77, Low: 47.

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🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

Opry Mills

• Fake cab warning: Rides of less than a mile and a half for $150 or more and a “mob scene” that’s “cluttering up the roadway.” Security officials for Opry Mills and the Grand Ole Opry begged Metro’s Transportation Licensing Commission to help with unlicensed taxi drivers who they say are taking advantage of customers, and causing traffic chaos. The commission responded that it can’t help with enforcement, but it said Metro Police could help since the state legislature made driving a taxi without a license a crime.

Across Nashville

• Holiday trash pickup: It’s the first year of Metro’s four-day trash pickup schedule, and Metro is making changes to how it handles holidays after customer feedback. If your trash pickup day falls on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day, your route will now be collected on the Monday following the holiday. If your trash pickup day falls on Veterans Day, it’ll move to the Monday before the holiday. This link shares details about the schedule and how you can sign up for pickup day reminders.

Downtown (and nearby)

• Bikeshare stall: After a deal stalled to expand docked bike sharing in Nashville (similar to the Citi Bike program in New York), Metro will try again. City staff is working on another request for proposals. A transportation licensing commissioner recently said the last deal fell apart because “the administration” rejected a proposal to help fund the program with advertising at the bike stations. It’s unclear what a new funding source would be, but an NDOT official said 150 stations with 1,000 bikes would cost about $10 million.

• 65 restaurant score: The health inspector who visited Philippe by Philippe Chow at 209 10th Avenue South noted “numerous critical violations.” Among the concerns: multiple food temperature issues, spoiled strawberries, “build up” on ice machines, and more. You can read the full inspection here, and you’ll find a link to all restaurant inspections at the end of the newsletter.

South Nashville

• Free flu shots: Flu activity in Tennessee is still minimal, according to the latest CDC map. Before that changes, you can get a free flu shot today at the Metro Health Department’s mobile health clinic. It’ll be set up at the Coleman Park Regional Community Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here’s a full list of available services.

The Nations & Sylvan Park

• Restaurant and bar closures: Punk Wok at Sylvan Supply (4101 Charlotte Avenue) announced it’ll close on Sunday. When someone on Instagram asked why, the restaurant responded, “people just quit coming 🤷‍♀️.” And the 51 North Taproom at 704 51st Avenue North will close on December 13. “The last few years have been by far the most challenging of the 20 years being in this business and it is no longer sustainable,” the owners wrote on Instagram.

• Demolition planned: A contractor applied to demolish an office at 6004 Robertson Avenue. I wasn’t able to find any plans for the property, but I’ll keep watching for what’s next.

Green Hills

• New restaurant: Charleston-based Harveys Bagel Co. plans to open at 3904 Hillsboro Pike, according to a building permit application. “NY Style Bagels Made Fresh Daily,” its Instagram says. Here’s a link to the restaurant’s website so you can see the menu. A post in June says it’s opening in Downtown Nashville, Berry Hill, Belle Meade, Franklin, and Smyrna.

Near Wedgewood-Houston

• “Nothing to remain”: The former Advanced Financial location at 1901 8th Avenue South will be torn down with “nothing to remain,” a permit application says. Like several other demolitions I’ve reported today, I haven’t seen any filings that indicate what’s planned for the property, but I’ll keep watching.

Antioch

• Adult changing table: The Nashville Public Library’s Southeast Branch at 5260 Hickory Hollow Parkway will get an adult changing table. The Metro Council approved accepting a $10,000 state grant this week to pay for the table and its installation.

• Codes audit continues: Park Dale Drive is the latest street audited by Metro Codes for compliance with property standards. I reported in August that Metro Council member Tasha Ellis said “Metro Codes is built to be reactive” by responding to complaints. She asked the department for a blanket audit of her district after another council member did the same. On Park Dale Drive, Codes flagged five property owners for issues including junk on the property and parking on the grass. In most cases, owners get a warning, but Metro Codes can take an owner to court if they don’t fix a problem.

North Nashville

• New cafe: E+ROSE’s expansion continues — this time with a permit to open at 2200 Buena Vista Pike. I recently reported E+ROSE is also opening in Green Hills. It’ll be in the new development across from the Mall at Green Hills at 2111 Crestmoor Road.

• Church demolition: A demolition crew just got a permit to tear down the church at 2312 Lloyd Avenue. I don’t see any plans filed for the property, but it’s zoned for low to medium density residential uses.

📰 A few final headlines…

• Remembering Jack Cawthon: The founder of Jack’s Bar-B-Que has died after a battle with cancer, the restaurant announced yesterday. “When Jack opened his first Jack’s Bar-B-Que location (previously Cawthon’s Caterer/ Bar-B-Que 1976-1991) at 1st and Broadway in 1991 he did more than open a restaurant,” the restaurant posted. “He changed the face of Nashville.” Cawthon was 80 years old.

• Voting complaint: After Stella Parton, Dolly Parton’s sister, claimed she had to repeatedly correct her ballot selection while voting in Hermitage, the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office told WSMV it has received “one complaint of this nature during this election period, out of about 400,000 ballots cast.” WSMV said several voters in Williamson County told the station about a similar issue.

🍔 MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville. And here’s a list version.

Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan

☀️ Weather

Sunny days through at least Tuesday. High: 77, Low: 47.

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🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

All over Nashville

• “No Right on Red” pivot: Metro Council member Sandra Sepulveda withdrew legislation that would’ve banned right turns at red lights in 59 intersections. Instead, she said NDOT agreed to implement the change at 14 intersections within two weeks and “a number of them” in the “upcoming months.” I’ve asked NDOT for a list of intersections that’ll be impacted. Sepulveda said NDOT also agreed to implement safety changes at some intersections with pedestrian safety issues.

• $544 million in projects: A new elementary school in Antioch, three new fire stations, funding to make progress toward a new Richland Park library, and money to finish more segments of the Cumberland River and Seven Mile Creek greenways, and more. They’re part of the mayor’s capital spending plan, and last night, the Metro Council delayed (again) moving forward with bonds to pay for it. Among other things, members had questions about funding for a replacement jail on Harding Place. Here’s a full list of projects I shared last month. Council will consider the plan again on November 5. Also, an amendment I told you about yesterday got a negative recommendation in committee. It would’ve moved the new Antioch school’s entrance over traffic concerns.

Downtown

• Vehicle noise complaints: “Recently, there has been concern regarding a variety of vehicle noise — street racing, loud mufflers, engine revving, etc.,” Metro Council member Jacob Kupin said. That’s why he’s hosting a community meeting tonight alongside Metro Police, NDOT, and Metro’s Office of Nightlife. “We are determined to find a way to turn down the volume,” Kupin wrote. Tonight’s meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the McKendree United Methodist Church at 523 Church Street.

East Nashville

• Vet investigation: After Caudle Veterinary Clinic at 3607 Gallatin Pike suddenly closed following the deaths of two dogs, WTVF says records show one of the vets failed required licensing exams at least 10 times. The station also reports law enforcement is investigating the clinic. I’ve taken two of my dogs there for years, and never noticed anything concerning, but I’ll definitely keep following this.

Midtown

• Post office audit: If your package came through the Church Street post office, and the tracking data seemed inaccurate, this might be why. Federal auditors randomly reviewed 30 packages on a morning in July and nearly half (13) were marked as delivered when they weren’t. The auditors also found thousands of pieces of mail that hadn’t been reported as delayed even though they were still sitting in the post office. You can read the full audit here. It says management has “begun taking steps” to address the problems found.

Rivergate

• Remnants of the mall: A drone photographer shared this video of the demolition that’s nearly complete at the former Rivergate Mall, and at about 2:10 into the video, what’s left of the food court floor can now be seen outside. I reported last month that the developer expected to finish demolition in November, and the first vertical construction is scheduled to start early next year. Plans include 715 apartments, more than 100 townhomes, a hotel, 130,000 square feet of commercial space, and an affordable housing project for seniors.

Antioch

• Improvements to Mill Ridge Park: The Metro Council voted last night to accept a $2 million grant to develop “The Farm at Mill Ridge Park.” Paired with another $2 million from the Joe C. Davis Foundation, Metro said plans include “restoring several historic farm features and renovating The Barn into a flexible indoor nature center that can host classes, community gatherings, farmers’ markets, and special events.”

• New restaurant: I found a filing that reveals what’s planned for the former Fat Boys BBQ restaurant at 2733 Murfreesboro Pike. Taqueria y Birrieria El Trompo received a permit to open at this location. I wasn’t able to track down contact information for the owner to figure out when it’ll open.

Madison

• Cleaning up Gallatin Pike: Metro Codes told the owners of two properties to address signs that allegedly don’t comply with Metro regulations. An inspector sent a notice to the owner of 1525 Gallatin Pike North for “dilapidated signs.” And just a few doors down at 1553 Gallatin Pike North, the inspector noted “prohibited signs.” In both cases, the inspector reported the issue, but you can also report complaints for your neighborhood at hub.nashville.gov.

Edgehill

• Traffic change: Nashville’s Traffic and Parking Commission approved a new multi-way stop at Edgehill Avenue and Villa Place.

South Nashville

• A pop star’s visit: Prince’s Hot Chicken said Grammy-winning artist Sam Smith visited its restaurant at 5814 Nolensville Pike. “Thank you, Sam, for stopping by and sharing a little Prince’s history and heat with us!” the restaurant wrote on Instagram. “It was a pleasure having you!”

📰 A few final headlines…

• Going international for staffing challenges: Every day, I look at bidding opportunities shared by Metro because they can sometimes give a clue that a project is in the works. This one caught my eye for Metro Schools: the district is looking for a recruiter to hire 25 to 35 international educators each year and potentially 50 teachers in the fifth year of a contract. District spokesperson Sean Braisted tells me, “expanding our recruitment efforts is a practical, forward-looking way to strengthen our workforce, address specialized staffing needs, and bring additional perspectives and experiences into our classrooms.” You can read the full statement here. He says 28 out of more than 5,000 full-time teaching positions are open, but the request mentions “recurring staffing challenges” with certain subjects.

• Lawsuit over immigration law: Nashville CARES, a nonprofit that uses federal funding to help care for people with HIV, sued Tennessee for implementing a new rule that requires it to “screen all program beneficiaries for citizenship or immigration status.” The lawsuit alleges the rule “makes the transmission of HIV/AIDS and the development or progression of other serious health conditions substantially more likely.” You can read the full lawsuit here.

• New Year’s Eve announcement: Little Big Town, Hardy, The Red Clay Strays, and more will perform at Nashville’s New Year’s Eve show, which will broadcast again on WTVF/CBS. Here’s more from Visit Music City.

🍔 MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville. And here’s a list version.

Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan

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🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

Antioch

• Moving school entrance: With concerns about traffic around a new school at the intersection of Rice Road and Bell Road, Metro Council member Joy Styles tells me she filed for funding to move the school’s entrance to Bell Road. Her proposal would amend the mayor’s $544 million capital spending plan. The Metro Council is scheduled to vote on bonds for the plan tonight. Styles urged supporters to sign up for public comment at tonight’s meeting. “Without the funding, [MNPS] will try to leave the entrance on Rice Road,” Styles said. Here’s my previous reporting on which projects are funded.

Germantown

• Restaurant scores 66: The health inspector who visited Green Asia at 900 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard flagged food temperature issues, an employee cooking without washing their hands after being outside, and raw meats stored “by and over” fruits and produce in a cooler. You can read the full inspection here, and I link to all restaurant inspections at the end of the newsletter.

Hillsboro Village

• AI-powered school: Alpha School, a K-8 private school that says its “mastery-based, AI-driven approach allows students to crush their academics in two hours,” appears to be opening at 1704 Dorothy Place. A building permit says 44 students will be enrolled. Tuition costs $50,000, according to the school’s website. It already has a location listed a few blocks away at 1912 21st Avenue South. More: questions about how the school uses AI, and videos shared by the school to explain what it does.

• Detour warning: Vanderbilt University expanded detours on Garland Avenue for vehicles and pedestrians due to “ongoing construction projects.” More details about the changes here. Vanderbilt expects them to be in effect until the beginning of 2027.

Hermitage

• Renovating the library: The Hermitage library branch appears to be on track to close for renovations next year, based on a bidding document posted by Metro. Designs will be due in February, and work is supposed to be finished by January 2028. The document, which you can read here, describes gutting the building.

• Back to court: Years of complaints about junk and debris outside a home on Luree Lane are heading back to court. A Metro Codes inspector issued the property’s second citation this year. Citations often come when an owner has been warned about a problem, but it still hasn’t been fixed. A judge could order the owner to pay a fine and clean up the property.

Downtown

• Trouble at Play Playground: The landlord for 128 2nd Avenue North accused the social game experience Play Playground of failing to pay rent in July, August, September, and October, and not keeping the business open for the “minimum hours” set in its lease. A lawsuit asks for more than $300,000 in damages in addition to about $645,000 in missed rent payments, interest, and other expenses. I reached out to Play Playground for comment by email, and the company’s CEO Phil Royle told me the company is in active discussions with its landlord, and “we’re very happy” with those discussions. You can read the full lawsuit here.

• Restaurant closing: Deacon’s New South will close on Saturday after nearly a decade, it announced on Instagram late yesterday. It didn’t explain why it’s closing.

West Nashville

• Crime trend check: So far this year, police data says the only crimes up in the Metro Police Department’s West Precinct compared to last year are homicides (from 0 cases to 2) and rapes (from 21 cases to 30). Overall, property crimes are down more than 24%, and violent crimes have dropped nearly 17%. You can map crime in your neighborhood at this link.

East Nashville

• Cleaning up Gallatin Pike: Metro Codes is back at a former blood donation center at 3201 Gallatin Pike. This time, Codes is taking the property’s owner to court for allegedly not addressing graffiti, high grass, and junk on the property. An inspector reported some of the same issues in January.

The Nations

• Demolition coming: A building permit application indicates a home built in 1919 at 5401 Tennessee Avenue will be torn down to make way for two new homes on the same property. And less than a mile away, a home at 4601 Indiana Avenue got a demolition permit. I haven’t seen what’s planned for that property.

Whites Creek

• Whites Creek Mercantile: I hadn’t heard of The Grove at Whites Creek, which describes itself as “a family-owned boutique hotel and event venue,” until I started researching a building permit for a new Whites Creek Mercantile store at 4125 Whites Creek Pike. WSMV reported earlier this year it’s part of the former Fontanel property. The venue’s website says it’s “looking for local artisans, makers and small businesses with unique products to feature in our new retail store.” More details here.

Old Hickory

• Short-term rental warning: I recently reported on the top neighborhoods for illegal short-term rentals in Nashville. Old Hickory wasn’t one of them, so I wanted to share one flagged here. Metro Codes told an owner to take down a listing for a home on 22nd Street that advertises enough room for 12 guests. Reviews indicate the property has been operating since at least July. If you think a short-term rental is operating without a permit in your neighborhood, you can submit a complaint to hubNashville. More: a shift in Nashville’s short-term rental market.

📰 A few final headlines…

• What I’m monitoring today: Whether the Metro Council will make further changes to a proposed ban on right turns at some red lights in Nashville. A scaled-back version affects 59 intersections, which I mapped here. A vote was delayed from early this month to today after a council member attempted to scale back the ban even further.

• Another piece of old Nashville disappearing: The General Jackson Showboat will stop operating on December 15, the Nashville Scene reported.

• Hospital expansion: TriStar Centennial Medical Center announced more than $90 million in renovations and expansions to its women’s hospital and children’s hospital. The hospital’s CEO told The Tennessean construction is expected to run through 2028.

• Airport traffic warning: The entrance to Nashville International Airport’s Terminal Garage 1 closes today. This post by the airport explains what you need to know if you park in this area.

• Are you eligible for a settlement? A lawsuit claimed landlords, including major apartment companies, used a platform called RealPage in a “nationwide conspiracy to fix and inflate the price of multifamily rental housing across the country.” The defendants have denied wrongdoing, but they agreed to a nearly $360 million settlement, which a federal judge approved on Friday. You can check here to see whether a property you rented is eligible. And here’s a link to the form to submit a claim.

🍔 MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville. And here’s a list version.

Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan

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Happy Monday, Nashville! It’s October 19. Glad to be back in your inbox after taking time off for fall break. New in Nashville’s neighborhoods: possible changes to street parking, a speed limit change, a major step toward voting on a proposed racing ban, traffic impacts from roadwork, an old vet clinic reopening, and the future of the Kenny Rogers estate.

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Sunshine with temperature rising to near 80 by the weekend. High: 73, Low: 45.

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🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

12 South

• Neighborhood parking changes: I reported last month on a business owner who said parking issues in the neighborhood are “strangling” businesses — with a consultant’s parking recommendations not due until April. Now, legislation that could impact paid street parking spaces across Nashville appears to be in the works. Before Metro’s Traffic and Parking Commission denied a request to turn paid parking spots into permit-based residential parking for a building near Music Row, Metro Council member Sean Parker said he anticipates legislation “in the coming months.” He repeatedly mentioned his support for “some kind [of] blended approach where there’s zones that residents can have access to a neighborhood area or a few blocks or whatever is going to be a lot more convenient.” More: the Nashville Scene’s profile of the fight over parking rights in Nashville.

• Future of 12 South Taproom & Grill property: It’s another chapter in 12 South’s shift toward national chains. A new building permit application for 2318 12th Avenue South indicates the property’s transformation into retail is in the works. The Nashville Post previously reported that the clothing stores Ralph Lauren and Alo are expected to move in.

Antioch

• New speed limit: The speed limit on Blue Hole Road from Tusculum Road to Bell Road will change to 35 miles per hour after Metro’s Traffic and Parking Commission approved a recommendation by NDOT. The commission also approved a new multi-way stop at Una Antioch Pike and Oakwood Forest Drive.

Wedgewood-Houston

• Voting on racing ban: It’s looking more likely that voters will decide next year whether to ban racing at the Nashville Fairgrounds. The Davidson County Election Commission validated enough petition signatures on Friday to put the question on the ballot. The petition needed about 40,000 signatures (10% of registered voters) to move forward. Out of more than 70,000 signatures turned in, more than 47,000 were verified. A lawsuit filed earlier this month alleges canvassers who collected signatures for the petition misled “many” people about what the petition does. Then, the lawsuit claims the group behind the petition made “unreasonable and burdensome” requests when more than 2,000 people asked to remove their signatures. A representative for the anti-racing group said it worked to verify removal requests were legitimate.

Donelson

• New veterinarian takes over closed clinic: It was Two Rivers Veterinary Hospital before closing. The property at 2614 Old Lebanon Pike will become Harmony Veterinary Care. The new vet clinic and kennel received a permit for $1.75 million in renovations to the building. Its website says it’ll open in mid-2027. You can read more about its offerings here.

• New restaurant: Lotzen’s Chicken & Custard plans to open at 329 Donelson Pike, according to a new building permit application. It’ll join several other restaurants on the Emery Commons property.

East Nashville

• New apartments and daycare: Developers just applied for a permit to move forward with a new mixed-use development at 100 Meridian Street. The project includes 266 apartments, a daycare center, and space for retail and/or restaurants, according to plans filed with Metro. More: multiple new developments on Meridian Street + my reporting on Nashville’s child care shortage.

Green Hills

• Busy property sells: The strip mall that includes the Starbucks at 3706 Hillsboro Pike sold for more than $10.8 million, according to a new filing with Metro’s Register of Deeds. With so much new development in the area, I’ll keep watching for any filings that might give a clue as to the property’s future.

Downtown (and nearby)

• Plan for roadwork: Resurfacing was scheduled to begin last night on parts of 4th Avenue South, Korean Veterans Boulevard, and Rep. John Lewis Way. “The roadway resurfacing project will require lane closures; however, no full road closures are anticipated,” NDOT said. Work is scheduled for nights. More details on affected streets here. Also, from today through Thursday, NDOT will work on traffic signal improvements at 4th Avenue South and Demonbreun Street.

• Managing future growth: Metro projects 5,100 new apartments will be built in the eastern part of Midtown by 2040, along with 750 condos, 850 hotel rooms, and more than 1 million square feet of office and retail space. To get ahead of that growth (on top of what’s already happened), Metro’s Planning Commission is looking at creating new zoning options for the neighborhood, which you can read on page 52 of this document. Metro Planning says exceptions have become the rule under current zoning regulations, including developers asking for taller buildings to make a project more financially feasible. It says its proposal would make approval processes more consistent.

• New 51st Deli location: In an Instagram post, 51st Deli said it’s planning to open a location in the Gulch. It didn’t share an exact location, but an LLC formed in June called “51ST DELI THE GULCH” was registered to the former Fat Kat Slim’s property at 730 8th Avenue South. I reported last month that the deli also plans to open in East Nashville at The Jesse, a new short-term rental development, at 730 Main Street. Here’s the menu if you’ve never been — I love the chicken Caesar wrap.

Hermitage

• Future of Kenny Rogers estate: I reported last month that a zoning change was in the works at Copperline Ranch (1 Copperline Road) to expand what’s allowed on the property. Now, I have more specifics thanks to a conceptual plan included in a Planning Commission document (page 38). It shows a cafe, event barn, distillery, helicopter landing pad, and more. Metro staff recommended conditions on the rezoning such as a ban on live music after 8 p.m. and a buffer wall on the property line that’s next to a neighborhood.

Madison

• Cutting parking: With more public transit in the works nearby, developers won approval to have fewer parking spaces at a new apartment complex at 120 West Due West Avenue. Metro’s Board of Zoning Appeals granted an exception to a rule that requires 1.5 parking spots for every unit. Now it’ll need only 0.5 parking spots per unit, pending approval from NDOT and WeGo Transit.

Near North Nashville

• Skate park timeline: The second phase of a skate park at Watkins Park will open late this year or early next year, Metro Parks said. This phase was designed with input from local riders, and it has a “beginner-friendly layout of ramps and rails.”

Bellevue

• Home to medical office: A home at 6970 Highway 70 South could be torn down to make way for a two-story medical office with 29 parking spaces, according to plans up for review by Metro’s Planning Commission.

📰 A few final headlines…

• Early voting surge: Four days into early voting for the midterm election, the number of ballots cast in Davidson County is pacing more than 600% higher than the same point in the 2022 midterm, according to data released by Tennessee’s Secretary of State. As of Saturday, 37,758 people had voted. That’s down nearly 24% compared to 2018, which also had an open governor’s seat. More: early voting times and locations.

• Toll lane lawsuit: One of the losing bidders for the I-24 toll lane project accused TDOT of illegally allowing the winning bidder to renegotiate its offer after the other bidders were eliminated. Among the claims: that TDOT allowed the winner to “reduce, defer, or stretch” payment of more than $24 billion in concessions that helped it win the project, which will run from roughly I-440 to Murfreesboro. You can read the full lawsuit here.

• Rent drops: The typical rent in the Nashville metropolitan area has dropped 2.6% since September 2025 to $1,506, according to new data from realtor.com. That’s a steeper drop than the national average of 0.4%. Also, a reminder to consider negotiating if you rent: the data says nearly 70% of leases included a concession like free rent.

• Lots of news at the airport: New renderings show the future Southwest Airlines lounge that’s scheduled to open at Nashville International late next year. Also, autonomous Waymo cars expanded service to the airport. It’ll be interesting to see how this affects rideshare drivers because the airport recently reported more than 4 million paid rides to and from BNA in the most recent fiscal year. That includes cabs, Uber, Lyft, and other services. And the airport’s board is considering another step toward direct flights to more distant destinations like Asia. It’ll decide whether to terminate Metro’s lease of office space at 1415 Murfreesboro Pike to make way for a runway extension over Murfreesboro Pike. That would allow bigger planes.

🍔 MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville. And here’s a list version.

Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan

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Good morning, Nashville! It’s Thursday, October 8. Local news typically slows down significantly when school is out, so I’m taking some time off with Metro Schools starting fall break tomorrow. I’ll be back in your inbox when class returns on Monday, October 19.

New in Nashville’s neighborhoods: neighborhoods with a rise in home break-ins, adjusting the traffic plan for The Truth, Nashville’s first Swig soda shop, pushback against new flight paths, a fight over how tall is too tall for new development, and more.

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Enjoy the sunshine before wind and rain from a tropical system arrive this weekend. High: 86, Low: 57.

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🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

Donelson & Hermitage

• Home break-ins rising: I’ve been keeping an eye on this trend for a few weeks, and it’s continuing to rise. Residential burglaries in the Metro Police Department’s Hermitage precinct (map here) have increased 26.8% since last year, according to police data. So far this year, the precinct has 123 cases. At the same point last year, it had 97. Overall residential burglaries in Nashville are down about 3%, but they’re also rising in the following precincts: South, Central, Madison, and Midtown Hills. You can map crime in your neighborhood at this link. More: proposed restrictions for home solicitors that tie into burglar concerns.

Wedgewood-Houston

• Adjusting traffic plan for The Truth: Let’s start with good news. The new Truth music venue is bringing thousands of new potential customers to surrounding businesses. A challenge with that many people: the traffic. Now that the venue has hosted a few shows, I checked with Metro Council member Terry Vo on any changes in the works. She tells me the rideshare location will be relocated. She’s also coordinating with other agencies on park and ride options, along with WeGo bus frequency. Other concerns she says she’s working on: sidewalk access as people line up for shows and lighting in the neighborhood. You can read her full message here.

Bellevue

• Nashville’s first Swig: The soda shop opened yesterday at 7661 Highway 70 South, a Swig spokesperson confirmed to me. It’ll have a grand opening later this month. Here’s a link to Swig’s menu.

Downtown Nashville

• Restaurant scores a 63: An inspector who visited “Zaytinya and Employee Cafeteria” at the W Hotel flagged “an excessive amount of critical violations.” The report notes “several employees bare handing ready to eat vegetables on the cook line” along with issues with date marks on food. You can read the full inspection here. I link to all restaurant inspections at the end of the newsletter.

• Tesla Cybercab: The first time I heard about Tesla’s Cybercab in our area was this WKRN report in August. They found 15 of the cars — similar to a Waymo autonomous car except Tesla’s website says it doesn’t have a steering wheel or pedals — in a parking lot in Cool Springs. My partner spotted a gold Cybercab driving on Broadway near 8th Avenue this week, but it wasn’t clear if anyone was inside. Several other people have posted about seeing them around town recently. I haven’t seen any media outlets confirm why the cars are here, and the company hasn’t responded to me or them. Tesla hasn’t announced service in Nashville. Its Robotaxi service operates in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando and Tampa.

South Nashville

• More pushback against new flight paths: About 350 flights depart Nashville International Airport each day, according to a group called Course Correct Nashville, and more than 150 of the flights “are now being funneled over one narrow corridor” in South Nashville. The group sued last month over the FAA’s process to finalize new flight paths. Now, the Metro Council is considering whether to ask Nashville’s airport board to collaborate with the FAA to “review the effects of flight patterns on affected neighborhoods.” It deferred a vote this week, but a proposed amendment to the request said state and local elected officials have been told that the new flight paths are final. You can read Course Correct Nashville’s list of how you can help at this link.

West End

• Limiting building height on West End Avenue: A lawsuit over a proposed four-story building at 3819 West End Avenue could have impacts beyond that single project. The Whitland Area Neighborhood Association argues the state legislature illegally lifted a three-story height limit on buildings along West End Avenue from Elmington Avenue to Ensworth Avenue in 1987. The lawsuit asks a judge to reinstate the height cap, which could impact future projects beyond just this one. You can read the full lawsuit here.

East Nashville

• New businesses: HOTWORX, a “24 hour infrared fitness studio,” plans to open at 1411 Gallatin Avenue, according to a building permit application. It already has three other locations in Nashville. Also, Cedar Hill Apothecary plans to open a store at 2213 Riverside Drive with handmade herbal products, locally curated small-batch goods and tea service, a permit application says. It’s already open in Springfield. You can see the store’s offerings here.

• Dickerson Pike corridor’s transformation: Plans for a “boutique theater” at 1010 Whites Creek Pike are moving forward, based on a building permit application. Multiple outlets reported in January that the men behind Rudy’s Jazz Room in The Gulch planned to open The Amber Cat at this location. Also, developers got a $10 million permit to build part of The Pike project at 1411 Dickerson Pike. It’s a five-story mixed-use building with 90 apartments and some retail space. Here are some renderings of what’s in store. Plus, developers filed to tear down the Church’s Chicken location at 3127 Dickerson Pike. I reached out to the restaurant about plans for the property.

Belle Meade

• Blasting timeline: Blasting for the new Cheekwood parking garage is on track to be finished by the end of this month, Metro Council member Sandy Ewing said in her newsletter. More: neighbors upset about Cheekwood’s expansions over decades sue for damages.

Antioch

• Guiding growth: Want to help guide future growth around Couchville Pike at Bell Road? Metro Council member Russ Bradford will hold a community meeting tonight on the Couchville Pike Small Area Study. It’s at 6 p.m. at the Smith Springs Community Center. More in Bradford’s newsletter.

📰 A few final headlines…

• Interstate closure: The first round of closures tied to bridge repairs on I-65 just south of downtown Nashville begins tonight. Intermittent lane closures on I-65 South around Hamilton Avenue begin at 8 p.m. I-65 South will close for about half an hour around midnight to remove signage, TDOT said. It expects interstate traffic to be back to normal by 5 a.m. The full interstate in that area will be closed starting the night of Friday, October 16 until the following Monday morning. More info from TDOT here.

• Failed execution: A Nashville judge ordered the state to preserve evidence tied to the failed execution of convicted killer Christa Pike, the AP reported. Her attorney said her first words after waking up were “Where am I?”

• Regulating food trucks: A new permitting system for food trucks in Nashville is in the works. “There are a number of areas downtown that have popped up these little food truck vendor things that have become safety issues. There’s food safety issues. There’s French fries being stored on the ground, etcetera,” the sponsor of the legislation Metro Council member Jacob Kupin said. The exact language is still being finalized. I’ll keep following this.

• Water pressure: After Metro Water asked customers to change their irrigation schedules to help with water pressure, it followed up with this visual explanation of the strain on the system from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. and how making a change will help fellow Nashvillians.

• Sheriff retiring: After serving as Davidson County’s sheriff for 24 years, Sheriff Daron Hall said he’ll retire from public service on October 19 for a job in the private sector. Here’s the announcement.

• Poll results: I asked nash.news readers whether they could afford their home if they had to buy it today. 83% of respondents said no. 17% said yes.

🍔 MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville. And here’s a list version.

Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. I’m heading to East Tennessee, then New York for fall break. I’ll be back in your inbox on the 19th. —Ryan

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Happy Wednesday, Nashville! It’s October 7. Lots of updates from Nashville’s neighborhoods, including a ruling on the data center planned next to the Nashville Zoo, a delay for “No Right on Red,” a new way to pay for growth, and what’s next after a popular restaurant closed following a big property tax bill.

☀️ Weather

A tropical system could bring a few inches of rain to Nashville this weekend “and a couple breezy days,” the National Weather Service said. More sunshine today. High: 86, Low: 57.

💰 Nashville home values stall

I was surprised to see this data point from Zillow yesterday: the typical home value in the Nashville metropolitan area dropped half a percent to about $450,000 in the past month. That drop matches a national trend. “Sky-high mortgage rates and the usual fall slowdown teamed up to chill housing activity,” Zillow said.

That made me wonder what’s ahead, so I pulled Zillow’s forecast for 25 zip codes in Nashville. It shows home values dropping slightly in 18 zip codes by next August — a much different story than the rapid rise in prices during the pandemic. Here’s a map of the changes.

The top zip codes for decreases: 37208 (Germantown/North Nashville) -0.4%, 37216 (Inglewood) -0.3%, 37209 (Sylvan Park/The Nations) -0.3%, 37207 (Dickerson Pike) -0.3%, and 37189 (Whites Creek) -0.3%.

The top zip codes for increases: 37215 (Green Hills) +0.5%, 37204 (12 South/Berry Hill) +0.3%, 37205 (Belle Meade/West Meade) +0.3%, 37220 (Oak Hill) +0.3%.

You can see the full list of zip codes here.

Bottom line: Zillow’s data suggests a cooling market, not a huge correction. Zillow said “it's not out of the question that [mortgage] rates will decline as rapidly as they rose, which would bring both buyers and sellers back to the market.”

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🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

South Nashville

• Data center ruling: A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit from the company that wants to build a data center next to the Nashville Zoo. DC Blox wanted the court to intervene after the Metro Council paused moving forward with new data centers until December and implemented new zoning restrictions for where data centers can be built. The judge didn’t decide whether Metro’s new restrictions were legal. He said many of the claims were better suited for state court, while giving DC Blox 21 days to clarify and refile several others. The judge dismissed outright the claim that Metro treated another data center company differently. DC Blox may believe it “received a raw deal from (or was sandbagged by)” Metro’s moratorium, the judge wrote, but it must give facts that “plausibly suggest actual entitlement to relief.”

Downtown (and nearby)

• Delay for “No Right on Red”: After Metro Council member Jacob Kupin attempted to further scale back a proposal to ban right turns at some red lights in Nashville, the Metro Council delayed voting on the legislation until later this month. The original bill would’ve impacted hundreds of intersections across Nashville in an attempt to reduce pedestrian deaths. The sponsor scaled it back to 59 intersections, which I mapped here, after pushback from fellow council members. Kupin wanted to cut the list even further to 18, but he upset some council members by not running his idea through the typical approval process.

Rivergate

• Growth paying for growth: The redevelopment of the Rivergate Mall property is the first in Nashville to take advantage of a new state law after approval from the Metro Council last night. It essentially allows infrastructure for the project to be paid for by a special assessment on property owners in the development. Metro Council member Burkley Allen said it’s like a mortgage but for infrastructure. I reported last month that the developer said someone in the commercial spaces could pay $750 per month while townhome owners could pay about $90 per month. Demolition on the property is expected to wrap up next month with vertical construction beginning early next year.

East Nashville

• What’s replacing Pelican & Pig: Before Pelican & Pig at 1010 Gallatin Avenue suddenly closed earlier this year, the owner told WZTV that a sharp rise in its property tax bill “just took our knees out.” Now we know what’s next for the property. A building permit application indicates a new restaurant called Black Dynasty is moving in. There’s a ramen restaurant already in East Nashville that goes by the same name. I reached out to ask whether they’re moving into the space.

• Heading to court: The Metro Codes complaint database has nearly 40 entries for a commercial building at 2828 Gallatin Pike, and enforcement escalated this week. An inspector flagged graffiti, high grass, and junk on the property in August. That apparently hasn’t been addressed to the satisfaction of Codes, because the inspector issued a citation. A judge could order cleanup and issue a fine.

Bellevue

• What’s next for old amusement property: A demolition crew could soon be heading to the former Europa Go-Karts & Golf site at 621 Old Hickory Boulevard, according to a new permit application. Developers already applied for permission to build a self-storage facility on the property. You can see the plans here.

Wedgewood-Houston

• Weather challenges for the Nashville Fair: A manager wasn’t ready to share attendance numbers for last month’s fair, but he indicated rain on the first two days followed by more than a week of extreme heat didn’t help. Asked by a Metro Fair Board member about possibly moving the fair to a cooler month, the manager said it’s hard to do that because of other contractual obligations and the flea market. Also, fair companies have typically moved farther south by October.

Donelson

• Original Captain D’s closes: The restaurant’s first location at 2633 Lebanon Pike has closed, WKRN reported. The company’s corporate office didn’t immediately respond to the TV station, but Captain D’s website says both “temporarily closed” and “permanently closed” on its Donelson listing. While researching this story, I saw multiple social media posts from people in neighboring states reporting recent closures. The Mt. Juliet location has also closed. Asked whether a memorial for two restaurant employees murdered by a serial killer would remain on the property, Metro Council member Jeff Gregg indicated that he didn’t know.

Hermitage

• Addressing water main breaks: Metro Council members Erin Evans and Jordan Huffman will hold a community meeting tonight at the Metro Police Hermitage precinct from 6:15 p.m. until about 7:30 p.m. Metro Water will give a presentation on water main breaks (there have been more than 20 in the area this year), flooding in late July, and development, Evans said. The department will also answer questions.

Antioch

• Action after complaint to hubNashville: Someone claimed to Metro that a “towing service/car” business was operating out of a home on Ravine Drive with tow trucks bringing broken cars to the home, and then repairs being made in the backyard. Metro Codes told the property owner to address a “tow truck violation.” Here’s the link to submit a codes complaint for your neighborhood.

Cane Ridge

• Community meeting tonight: Back in April, developers showed their plans to build more than 100 homes in a new “active adult” community at 1010 Battle Road. Metro Council member Antoinette Lee will host a virtual community meeting on the project from 6 to 7 p.m. tonight. She didn’t respond to my text message asking for any updates on the project. You can find a link to the meeting here.

📰 A few final headlines…

• Monitoring today: After attorneys for convicted killer Christa Pike said yesterday she’s awake and talking following a failed execution, they will be in court today. They want a Nashville judge to order the state to “protect and preserve any and all evidence” related to the execution.

• Nashville childhood vaccination rates improve: Kindergartner vaccination rates in Tennessee have mostly declined since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data presented by a Metro Health Department official. Davidson County, however, has been “on sort of an upward trajectory,” the official said. He noted the data, which runs through early 2025, is incomplete because some vaccines don’t require reporting, parents can also opt out of reporting, and some providers don’t report to the state database used. He said the data can give a look at trends over time.

• More Southwest Airlines flights: The airline announced new summer service between Nashville and Boise, Idaho; Nassau, Bahamas; and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. You can read its full announcement here. More: my reporting on a rise in ground stops and ground delays at BNA + how the airport has used Flock surveillance data.

• Poll results: I asked nash.news readers how they’d rate Nashville’s data center rules. 26% of respondents said they’re too strict. 61% said they’re not strict enough. 13% said the rules are just right.

🍔 MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville. And here’s a list version.

Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan

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Good morning, Nashville! It’s Tuesday, October 6. New in Nashville’s neighborhoods: a last-minute interstate closure, a survivor of a skydiving accident sues, turning wastewater leftovers into money, tearing down a church, and much more.

☀️ Weather

Cool mornings while daytime temperature rises to near 90 by tomorrow. High: 83, Low: 57.

💻 Where large data centers could go in Nashville

Metro’s new data center regulations limit large data centers “to only a handful of areas of the county, such as Cockrill Bend, the area just east of Nashville International Airport, and industrial land off of Interstate 24 adjacent to Hurricane Creek,” a new report from the Nashville mayor’s office said.

The report lays out the practical effects of rules passed by the Metro Council in July after hundreds of thousands of people signed a petition against a proposed data center next to the Nashville Zoo. A lawsuit filed against Metro by the data center company is moving through federal court. And a data center moratorium is in effect in Metro until December.

Among other things, the rules ban large data centers from opening within half a mile of residential zones and schools. The law also bans large data centers from being within half a mile of each other, which the report said “is not common among peer cities.” The few locations that would technically allow a large data center in Nashville are either “close to an airport, a major highway, or a floodplain, which may be locations practically less well-suited for data center siting for a variety of reasons,” the report said.

It calls on Metro to “evaluate any unintended consequences” because of the law’s broad definition of data centers. Among them: systems for universities, hospitals, and major employers could be swept up in the new rules, which could prevent them “from maintaining the scale of internal data infrastructure they need for effective operations and services.” You can read the full report here.

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🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

Downtown (and nearby)

• Last-minute interstate closure: “The Hamilton Avenue bridge deck over I-65 needs to be replaced ASAP — and that means demolition,” TDOT just announced. And that means lane closures on part of I-65 South on Thursday night and a 30-minute overnight interstate closure. Then, next week, I-65 around the bridge will be fully closed from 8 p.m. Friday, October 16 to 5 a.m. Monday, October 19, TDOT said. Here’s TDOT’s post with a fuller explanation of the impacts.

• Music City Loop: The Boring Company said a third tunnel boring machine will launch this month for its underground Tesla tunnel between downtown Nashville and the airport, and a fourth should be in the ground before the end of the year. The company did not say how far it’s gotten with digging, and it didn’t respond when I asked a few months ago. You can read The Boring Company’s full monthly update here.

Northwest Nashville

• Skydiving accident lawsuit: It’s been about a year since this tragic accident. A tandem skydiving instructor died and a student said he suffered serious injuries when he hit treetops around the 4500 block of Ashland City Highway. Now the student is suing the skydiving company and the instructor’s estate. He alleges the instructor was “under the influence of drugs” and “prioritizing the capturing of footage” of a dive when they got stuck on part of the aircraft more than 9,000 feet up in the air. WZTV previously cited sources who said the instructor freed himself “to save the student’s life.” The lawsuit asks for at least $250,000 in punitive damages on top of up to $1.25 million in other damages. The skydiving company told me it doesn’t comment on pending legal matters. You can read the full lawsuit here. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Wedgewood-Houston

• Racing at the fairgrounds: About 50 people are working to verify signatures on a petition to eliminate racing at the Nashville Fairgrounds, the Nashville Banner reported. If signatures from more than 10% of Davidson County's registered voters (about 40,000 people) are verified, the question could go to Nashville’s voters in next year’s election. The group behind the petition said nearly 75,000 people signed it.

Near Germantown

• Flush money: The solids that are left over from Metro cleaning our wastewater could become a moneymaker. Right now, Metro essentially burns off much of the “biogas” that comes from processing the solids. Tonight, the Metro Council will consider contracting with a company that would turn the gas into renewable natural gas. A Metro Water official said the deal could generate between $2 million and $3 million for the city each year. The company would build its facility at 1815 Cement Plant Road next to Metro’s Central Water Reclamation Facility.

Old Hickory

• Rebuilding from storm damage: WSMV covered the collapse at 2401 Old Hickory Boulevard in January. “Strong winds caused part of an old mechanic shop to collapse Wednesday evening, sending bricks and concrete flying onto Old Hickory Boulevard and hitting several cars during rush hour,” it reported. Now it’s time to rebuild. The Gun Crew, a local gun store, received a building permit “to construct a 4,000-square-foot, single-story retail building.”

Green Hills

• Restaurant bankruptcy: True Food Kitchen filed for bankruptcy but the location at Vertis Green Hills (3996 Hillsboro Pike) appears to be staying open. Twelve of the restaurant’s other locations closed on Sunday. “This process is the best path forward to simplify the business and focus on what we do best,” the restaurant said.

East Nashville

• Nightly road closure: Riverwood Drive from Gallatin Pike to Eastdale Place will close each night from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday, NDOT said. It’s part of construction on Gallatin Pike. More: in addition to repaving, I covered several safety projects in the works on Gallatin Pike, including new pedestrian crossings that have popped up in other parts of town.

• Selling property to pay property tax bill: The former owner of the Hawkers restaurant building at 626 Main Street told WKRN he sold the building to pay the property tax bills on his other properties.

Antioch

• New restaurant: FirePot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot plans to open at 825 Bell Road, according to a building permit application. The restaurant already has a location in Clarksville. I messaged the restaurant to ask about a timeline for opening in Antioch, and I’ll update you if it responds.

Donelson & Hermitage

• Tearing down former church: I reported a week ago that an unidentified drive-thru restaurant is coming to 605 Stewarts Ferry Pike. A new demolition permit confirms the church on the property will be torn down. Metro Council approved a rezoning for the property in 2024 that would allow commercial space, a hotel, and apartments.

• Another addition to the Memory Lab: Just a few weeks ago, I shared that you can digitize old cassette tapes at the Nashville Public Library’s Donelson Branch. Now the library has added Hi8/Digital 8 media. More details + how to get an appointment at this link.

📰 A few final headlines…

• Free flu shots today: Flu activity in Tennessee remains minimal, according to this map from the CDC, but I’ve seen reports of flu season starting early out west. Flu activity has also ticked up not too far away in South Carolina and Louisiana. If you’re interested in a flu shot, you can get one for free today from the Metro Health Department. It’ll be set up at city hall from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. More details here.

• What I’m following today: The Metro Council’s second of three votes on a bill to ban right turns at red lights in 59 intersections — and whether it’ll be amended again. The bill’s sponsor just responded to several proposed amendments in her newsletter. Here’s my map of the affected intersections. Also at Metro Council: a proposal to take out $544 million in bonds for projects across Nashville, including a new school, new fire stations, and progress on greenways and a library. I shared a list of projects with nash.news readers last week.

• Poll results: And speaking of “No Right on Red,” I asked nash.news readers whether they support the scaled-back version of the bill and it’s a nearly even split. 51% of respondents said yes. 49% said no.

• Honoring Dolly: The Country Music Association revealed who will perform during a tribute to Dolly Parton broadcasting live from Belmont University on October 21. You can read the full list here. The show will air on WKRN/ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m. You can watch the next day on Hulu.

🍔 MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville. And here’s a list version.

Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan

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Good morning, Nashville! It’s Monday, October 5. New in Nashville’s neighborhoods: the updated cost of “No Right on Red,” repairs after police say a semi-truck driver intentionally drove into a grocery store, a stolen vehicle warning, more than $1 million in improvements at a park, and a 61 restaurant score.

☀️ Weather

Sunny this week with heat building to near 90 again. High: 80, Low: 51.

🚓 Grand jury: some traffic stops “appeared pretextual”

Four times a year, Davidson County’s grand jury releases a report summarizing its work. I always read it because the grand jurors have rare insight into Nashville’s criminal justice system after reviewing hundreds of cases.

In its latest report, the grand jury wrote that it “encountered [traffic] stops in which a minor traffic or equipment violation appeared to serve as the legal basis for investigating unrelated suspected conduct.” It also wrote, “a window-tint or other minor equipment violation became the entry point for a stop, search, arrest, and charges unrelated to the original traffic safety concern.”

If you’ve been reading nash.news for a while, you know Metro Police data says nearly every type of crime is down by double-digit percentages compared to last year, and traffic stops have surged nearly 28% in the same period. I also covered the top times and places for traffic stops.

After reading the grand jury’s report, I checked a police dashboard that shares traffic stop data. For this year, it says 72% of stops were for a “moving traffic violation.” Another 13% of stops were for either a “vehicle equipment violation” or “safety & equip.” Drivers stopped for a “vehicle equipment violation” were searched and arrested at rates a few percentage points higher than the average of all traffic stops.

The grand jury offered this recommendation to police: “review and publicly report aggregate data on equipment-based traffic stops, including the stated reason for the stop, demographic information, whether a search occurred, whether contraband was found, whether an arrest followed, and the final disposition of resulting charges. The review should examine whether enforcement is connected to roadway safety and whether discretionary practices create avoidable disparities.”

“We do not know which specific criminal case(s) the report is referencing,” a spokesperson for Metro Police told me. “It appears no one in police leadership (from the precinct or administrative levels) was asked to meet with this panel to answer questions or add context. Most grand juries request a meeting with Chief Drake. This one did not.” You can read the police department’s full statement here.

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🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

Downtown (and nearby)

• The (updated) cost of “No Right on Red”: Now that a Metro Council bill to ban right turns at red lights has been scaled back from much of Nashville to 59 intersections, the cost has also dropped. Static and electric “No Right Turn on Red” signage would cost $650,000, according to a Metro analysis. The legislation is scheduled tomorrow for the second of three votes needed to become law. More: my map showing which intersections are impacted. Most of them are downtown, but South Nashville, West Nashville, and East Nashville are also impacted.

East Nashville

• Repairing ALDI: After Metro Police said a man intentionally drove a semi-truck into the ALDI store at 615 Gallatin Avenue, the store has applied to fix the damage, including repairs to the bricks, roof, storefront glass, and doors. Suspect Kristofer Scruggs remains in jail with a $35,000 bond on a felony vandalism charge, according to jail records. While the permit doesn’t say how much repairs will cost, the criminal charge indicates the damage is worth at least a quarter-million dollars. As for the punishment, the suspect could spend 15 to 60 years in prison if he’s convicted.

South Nashville

• 61 restaurant score: This is for the Taqueria El Millon food truck based at 14910 Old Hickory Boulevard. Among other things, the inspector noted “significant number of flies and ants,” a temperature issue with cheese dip, and a “container of raw shrimp … stored on top of/inside container of cooked chicken in prep cooler.” Here’s a link to the full inspection. And as always, I link to all restaurant inspections at the bottom of the newsletter.

Bellevue

• Improvements at Warner Parks: Friends of Warner Parks plans to fund $1.5 million in upgrades, including renovations to four picnic shelters and construction of a “historic shelter” at Luke Lea Heights, according to an agenda for Metro’s Board of Parks and Recreation. If you’re interested in supporting the parks, preorders have opened for a new Warner Parks specialty license plate.

The Nations

• New childcare center: Nashville has a shortage of about 3,500 licensed or regulated childcare seats, according to a state report, so this story is welcome news. Equally Created Day Care Center just received a building permit to open at the new Modera Nations apartment building at 1701 54th Avenue North. It’s designed for 78 children, according to the permit. The center’s website says it’s expected to open late this year, and it already has a waitlist application open.

• Vacant home warning: Metro Codes told the owner of an apparently vacant home at 522 Foundry Drive to clean up junk on the property, cut the grass, and board it up or secure it some other way. The inspector is scheduled to check on the property again at the end of the month. The property is registered to an LLC that bought it in August for $325,000.

Green Hills

• New restaurant: It’s in that massive new development at 2111 Crestmoor Road across from the Mall at Green Hills. A new building permit describes a nearly 6,000-square-foot restaurant with seating for about 180 people and a full-service bar. It doesn’t list the restaurant’s name, so I reached out to a contact on the application for more information. I’ll let you know if I hear back. The developer’s website says the building will also have 98 “luxury residences.” And I previously reported that E+ROSE is opening a cafe here.

Near 12 South

• Stolen vehicles: Belmont University shared an alert on Friday about two vehicles stolen and another vehicle broken into within two days at the school’s Curb Garage. “One vehicle reported a stolen firearm. No signs of force were found in any of the incidents,” the university’s alert said. I checked on auto theft trends, and this year’s numbers are down more than 30% countywide compared to last year at this point. However, if you zoom into trends over the past four months, auto thefts have increased by several cases in the Midtown Hills precinct, which covers Belmont. Same story in the West and Southeast precincts. You can map crime in your neighborhood at this link.

Madison

• New takeout restaurant: Buffalo Wild Wings’ takeout/delivery concept is expanding again in Nashville. It plans to open in the Kroger shopping center at 138 Gallatin Pike South, according to a new building permit. Here’s its menu. I reported last month that the restaurant is also expanding to 6688 Nolensville Pike near Lenox Village and Cane Ridge.

• More housing: I feel like I report on a new housing development here at least every week, and here’s another one. Developers just submitted final plans to Metro for 28 “multi-family units” on Shannon Avenue near Pierce Road.

Antioch

• Mobile health clinic: The latest stop for the Metro Health Department’s mobile health clinic is the Consulate of Guatemala at 1645 Murfreesboro Pike. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. This page explains the services available. Some require an appointment.

📰 A few final headlines…

• Oracle to the rescue: Just a few days ago, the Nashville Symphony announced it would cancel its season and furlough many of its employees because of a financial crisis. Not anymore. Oracle announced last night “it is investing $10 million and creating a strategic partnership to help sustain the Nashville Symphony and keep the music playing as the organization restructures.” You can read Oracle’s full announcement here. And the symphony’s message here.

• Imposter scam warning: I cover this because people of all ages fall for it. So far this year, Tennesseans have lost more than $8.5 million to scammers posing as the government, according to the FTC. It’s the most common scam in the state for all age groups except for children. The latest case: scammers posing as the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office. They ask for payments via cryptocurrency, gift cards, and mobile apps. The sheriff’s office said it will never ask for money over the phone.

• Getting rid of lithium-ion batteries: I hadn’t really thought about this, and people like me are why the Nashville Fire Department is using Fire Prevention Week to educate us on how to properly get rid of lithium-ion batteries. “Lithium-ion batteries pose a serious fire risk when they are placed in curbside carts,” said Nashville Department of Waste Services Director Tracey Thurman. They can catch fire if they’re crushed, punctured, or overheated. In Nashville, two convenience centers accept lithium-ion batteries: Ezell Pike Convenience Center (3254 Ezell Pike) and East Convenience Center (943 Dr. Richard G. Adams Dr.). More tips on battery safety here.

• Register to vote: Today’s the voter registration deadline for the November election. This website explains how to register.

• 9-1-1 Nashville: I just saw the show shooting in downtown Nashville a few weekends ago, and now we have a trailer for season two of 9-1-1 Nashville. One of the latest imaginary tragedies appears to include murder hornets. (The first season lost me with the kite carrying away a child and nearly kept me with the wild pedal tavern crash.) The new season premieres on ABC/WKRN on October 15. It also streams on Hulu.

🍔 MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville. And here’s a list version.

Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan

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🌧️ Weather

Rain chances through the weekend. High: 88, Low: 64. Cooling to 70s this weekend.

🏠 A shift in Nashville’s short-term rental market

With Nashville tourism spending projected to grow 5% this year to more than $12 billion, I was surprised to see this next number. Tourism officials said the supply of short-term rentals in Davidson County dropped by about 0.3% so far this year.

“We’re seeing in previous years double digit supply growth. We’re not seeing that right now,” Bruce McGregor with the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp said. He called it a healthy dynamic with short-term rental revenue still projected to increase nearly 6%.

I asked Greater Nashville Realtors to connect me with someone who could explain what’s happening and the potential impacts on Nashville’s real estate market.

“I think that anytime there’s a reduction in something, there’s kind of a vacuum, and it will be filled,” Sarah Butler told me. She’s a realtor who also owns and sells short-term rentals.

In residential areas like 12 South and Germantown, “they’re just printing cash with different tourists that are coming through. You’re probably gonna hang on to that property.” Butler told me. That’s because grandfathered permits issued where short-term rentals are no longer allowed don’t transfer when a property sells. Butler believes sales have contributed to the reduction in short-term rental inventory.

Short-term rental investors are turning to areas where zoning isn’t strictly residential like West Trinity. “They’re selling these incredibly beautiful, purpose-built Airbnbs where no one else was gonna build residential homes,” Butler said.

A few more interesting trends she shared with me…

• A shift in who’s buying properties: people with high incomes from their jobs who need to offset their taxes.

• A focus on health and wellness with amenities like barrel saunas, ice bath plunges, and cold plunges. “The people that are kind of like, ‘Ah, put a couple cowboy boots on the wall, and it looks good enough.’ That’s what’s gone away,” Butler said. That lines up with tourism officials talking about the strength of Nashville’s luxury tourism market.

More: my reporting on the top neighborhoods for illegal short-term rentals.

🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

Downtown (and nearby)

• Concern about grants for businesses: Tourism taxes originally slated for paying off the Music City Center are generating so much extra money, a new state board met for the first time yesterday to start figuring out how to spend it. A new state law automatically sets aside tens of millions of dollars for things like a major events fund and public safety. One of the board members, former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, shared concern about one of the many potential uses allowed with the remainder: grants for tourism-related businesses in Downtown Nashville after property tax bills quadrupled in some cases. “I think when we get into this with individual businesses, it's going to be a nightmare,” Haslam said. “You're going to have companies, one across the street, that's eligible and one that's not. And I realize that's part of the assignment, and that's part of what was written in the bill. But I'd encourage us to think about things that are going to be for the greater good.” The board could have access to the money after completion of an audit around mid-December, but the state comptroller wasn’t ready to share amounts. Also in the works: potential application questions for business owners. I’ll keep following this.

• Tower on the other side of the Cumberland: More transformation near Oracle’s future campus. Developers filed a final plan for a 17-story, 300-room hotel at 100 Spring Street. It’ll be split between the Tempo and Homewood Suites brands. You can see the plans here. More: my reporting on Oracle’s plans for its River North campus.

• Riverfront terrace: A weekend bar at the new Terrace at Riverfront Park opens for the first time at 4 p.m. today. The bar will be open this month on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. More info here.

All over town

• There are so many housing filings today, I decided to put them into a map and spreadsheet for you so I don’t bog down the newsletter with nearly a dozen different projects. Neighborhoods included: Trinity Hills, Cane Ridge, Antioch, Germantown, Hermitage, Brentioch, The Nations.

South Nashville

• Lengthy history with Metro Codes: I’ve never seen so many complaints at one property. This story comes from the 304th and 305th entries for apartments at 270 Tampa Drive. After a new resident complained to Metro Codes about “bugs everywhere,” a floor coming up, and washing machine that flooded the apartment, an inspector ordered the property’s owners to make repairs and bring an exterminator. The inspector returned this week and essentially ordered fixes again.

Trinity Hills

• New VA facility: Construction on a new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic at Baptist World Center Drive appears to be close to starting. The design team just submitted final plans for the three story, 200,000+ square foot building to Metro. “The facility will provide a full range of essential services, including primary care, rehabilitation, mental health services, radiology, audiology, ophthalmology, and women’s health,” the VA said. Construction is expected to finish by the end of 2028. In the meantime, these drawings indicate there will be construction impacts on traffic on Baptist World Center Drive and Youngs Lane.

Donelson

• The first Knoblin Festival: First, what’s a knoblin? The event’s website says “No one really knows,” but the festival’s founders still found a way to build a music and arts festival around it at Old Lebanon Pike and Donelson Station Boulevard. It runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow. The event is free. Click here for more about what to expect, and this profile of the festival and the people behind it.

• Hocus Pocus: You can watch my favorite Halloween movie on the lawn at the Two Rivers Mansion tonight. “Bring your chairs and blankets, wear your favorite costume, and enjoy an evening with our food truck, yard games, popcorn & Halloween fun,” Friends of Two Rivers said. The grounds open at 5:30 p.m. The movie begins as it gets dark outside. Tickets are $10 per person and $30 maximum per vehicle. More info here.

West Nashville

• 59 restaurant score: Saigon Restaurant at 5849 Charlotte Pike had “black particulate” forming inside an ice machine and food temperature and storage issues, according to a new health inspection report. You can read the entire report here. And I link to all restaurant inspections at the end of the newsletter.

Madison

• Mobile health clinic: The Metro Health Department will have its mobile health clinic set up at Cedar Hill Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow. This page explains the service available. Some require an appointment.

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📰 A few final headlines…

• “Child Protection Clock:” Nashville’s grand jury said it “encountered a disturbing number of cases involving the sexual abuse of children” — 20 cases during its term from July through September. “Equally troubling was the age of some cases when they finally reached us. The oldest child sexual abuse case presented during our 2026 term dated to 2023, approximately three years earlier.” The grand jury called for “immediate local action and statewide legislation to measure and reduce unnecessary delay in child sexual abuse cases.” You can read more of their findings and recommendations, including a change to state law, here.

• Utility assistance delay: The Metro Action Commission said it can’t pay for utility assistance right now because federal funding still hasn’t been released. In the meantime, it’s putting people who need help on a waiting list. It called the delay “temporary,” but it didn’t say what’s causing the delay.

• Worsening drought: Nashville’s now in a severe drought, according to a new map released by the U.S. Drought Monitor. That’s worse than last week when the map showed Davidson County in a moderate drought. After this weekend’s rainfall, the National Weather Service forecast calls for dry conditions through at least Wednesday. Reminder: Metro Water asked people to follow voluntary restrictions on watering their lawns to reduce pressure on the water pumping system.

• Poll results: I asked nash.news readers whether they support continuing the death penalty in Tennessee. 46% of respondents said yes. 54% said no.

🧠 Today’s quiz

Test your memory of yesterday’s newsletter.

What does Maminette, a new restaurant in Donelson, serve? Ramen, tacos, crêpes, or pizza?

Here’s a link to the answer.

🍔 MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville. And here’s a list version.

Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. I’ll be back in your inbox on Monday. —Ryan

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Weather

Sunshine today before rain and a cooldown begin tomorrow. High: 95, Low: 73.

Another failed execution

It happened again. For the second time this year, executioners at Nashville’s Riverbend Prison tried and failed to carry out the death penalty.

This time, Christa Pike, convicted of killing a classmate, survived two doses of the lethal injection drug. She was taken to the hospital last night, the AP reported, but her attorneys don’t know her condition.

Executioners “followed every step of the State’s lawful, established execution protocol approved by the Attorney General’s Office,” the Tennessee Department of Correction said in a statement.

Back in May, Gov. Bill Lee called off Tony Carruthers’ execution after executioners spent more than an hour trying to place an IV for the lethal injection drug. Both Carruthers’ and Pike’s executions involved the same doctor, Pike’s attorneys told WVLT.

Lee told the AP that he canceled this year’s remaining execution and ordered a third-party review to figure out what happened.

Top neighborhoods for illegal short-term rentals

Nearly every day, I see a complaint about an illegal short-term rental operating in a Nashville neighborhood. So, I pulled a year’s worth of data to figure out where it’s happening most often.

First, here’s a heat map of nearly 400 alleged violations flagged by Metro Codes.

And here are the top 5 ZIP codes:

• 37207 - North Nashville and around Dickerson Pike - 51 cases

• 37208 - North Nashville and Germantown - 40 cases

• 37206 - East Nashville - 34 cases

• 37211 - Near Berry Hill/Crieve Hall/Cane Ridge/South Nashville - 29 cases

• 37209 - Sylvan Park/The Nations - 24 cases

Metro Codes’ enforcement often starts with simply issuing a notice to stop illegally operating, but if the owner refuses, I’ve seen Metro take the owner to court.

Think you have an illegal short-term rental in your neighborhood? Or even a legal one that’s causing issues? Here’s how you report it.

Legal short-term rentals are an important part of Nashville’s tourism economy. Tomorrow, I’ll share a shift happening in Nashville’s short-term rental market.

What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

Germantown

• Citywide change: After a tipster told Metro auditors they saw a longtime Metro Parks employee accept cash in exchange for recreation equipment at the Morgan Community Center, auditors said evidence “strongly indicates” the employee sold a machine to “two unidentified individuals” for $4,000. A second machine is also missing. Both were originally purchased for more than $5,000. You can read the audit here, which includes surveillance images. Because of this case, Metro Parks created a process to inventory and track sports equipment moving forward. The employee resigned earlier this month, and the investigation was forwarded to the district attorney and police.

Wedgewood-Houston

• The Truth opens tonight: This new music venue at 440 Chestnut Street debuts tonight with country artist Miranda Lambert. If you’ve been to this area recently, you’ve probably wondered about the plan for traffic since the neighborhood was already busy… before adding a 4,000+ person venue. WSMV reported on how businesses are preparing for potential problems and here are some suggestions from The Truth. And here’s their lineup of shows.

• More teardowns for housing: Developers applied to demolish three buildings at 1020, 1024, and 1026 3rd Avenue South. They plan to turn the property into an eight-story building with residential and commercial space, the Nashville Post reported last year. It’s the latest example of older commercial properties being redeveloped into mixed-use projects.

Antioch

• Residential to commercial: Saffron Crossing, “a cultural event and retail space,” is planned for a residential property at 578 Benzing Road, according to a new filing with Metro. Here’s a look at the plans.

• Hundreds of new homes: Developers applied for rezoning to build a new neighborhood called Couchville Meadows at 4109 LaVergne Couchville Pike. The plans include “109 multi-family residential units.” And just across the street, developers applied for rezoning to build Pin Hook Crossing. That application shows 200 new homes at 4117 LaVergne Couchville Pike.

• New restaurant in Century Farms: Jim ’N Nick’s plans to open a barbecue restaurant on William Turner Parkway, according to a new building permit application. The application doesn’t give a timeline for the project, but here’s the menu.

Downtown (and nearby)

• $30 million bar lawsuit: A man from England sued Lucky Bastard Saloon at 406 Broadway after he claimed a bouncer knocked him unconscious by dropping him face first onto the concrete sidewalk outside the bar while pinning his arms to his sides. The man had been dancing on a table in the bar with another patron or employee, the lawsuit says, when the bouncer suddenly held him in a bear hug and removed him from the bar without warning. The lawsuit claims he suffered a broken nose and concussion. I asked the bar for comment, but I haven’t heard back. You can read the full lawsuit, which seeks $30 million in damages, here.

Donelson

• New French restaurant: Maminette at 104 Graylynn Drive opened this week. “The café will feature made-from-scratch sweet and savory crêpes, baguette sandwiches, quiche, pastries and specialty coffee,” Metro Council member Jeff Gregg said in his newsletter. Here’s a link to the menu.

• Halloween yard decoration contest: Want to compete for the spookiest yard decorations in Donelson? Applications are due tomorrow. This link will take you to the application, rules, and key dates from Hip Donelson.

Hermitage

• Another alleged codes violation: Curious about a property’s history with Metro Codes? You can search here. When you search for the Kwik Sak gas station at 4890 Lebanon Pike, more than 30 complaints come back, including a new one this week. A codes inspector told the owner to clean up junk on the property. The inspector is scheduled to be back for an inspection on October 20.

• Demolition planned: An office building at 4733 Andrew Jackson Parkway will be torn down if a new permit application is approved. A listing calls the property a “redevelopment opportunity.”

Near Sylvan Park

• New live music venue: The man behind the new Starry Night Lounge at 4708 Charlotte Avenue says he’s been “dreaming about opening a bar with live music since my college days,” and now that he’s turning 60, he’d “better get to it.” He is: a new permit application indicates he’s preparing to tear out some old elements of the property in preparation for opening. Several outlets, including the Nashville Post, previously reported the venue is scheduled to open in late fall.

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A few final headlines…

• Remembering Phil Ponder: The artist and former Metro Council member has died. My family was probably one of many that owned one of his prints of Nashville’s skyline. In this WKRN profile, you’ll see the attention to detail in his work.

• What I’m following today: Whether a new state board will offer grants to restaurants and bars in Downtown Nashville after property tax bills quadrupled in some cases. A new state law says any grants would be funded with excess tax revenue tied to the Music City Center, and they’d be limited to businesses in the downtown area. The board meets for the first time today, but it’s not clear if they’ll decide on grants.

• High school football shakeup: The TSSAA, the organization that essentially regulates middle and high school sports in Tennessee, will hold an emergency meeting today after two private schools in Nashville (and several other private schools across the state) decided their football teams will play independent schedules. A TV station in Memphis points out this is happening “as Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) infiltrates high school sports.”

• Restaurateur dies: Nashville native Joseph Ledbetter, a founder of West End restaurants Houston’s and BrickTop’s, died at the age of 81, The Tennessean reported.

• Poll results: I asked nash.news readers yesterday whether they support re-electing Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell. 31% of respondents said yes. 69% said no.

Today’s quiz: Number Match

Test your memory of yesterday’s newsletter. Match the following numbers to the stories below: 89, 15, 200, 2.

• Customers left without power in the January ice storm (more than, measured in thousands)

• Miles of vegetation NES trimmed

• Dollars (in millions) in new trimming contracts NES’s CEO may pursue

• Number of Starbucks stores closing locally

Here’s a link to the answers.

MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville. And here’s a list version.

Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan

☀️ Weather

Rain chance shifted later to Friday. High: 92, Low: 68. Cooling to 70s this weekend.

🌳 Falling behind on tree trimming

This issue got a lot of attention after the January ice storm left more than 200,000 customers without power, and it appears to be a problem again.

In its current fiscal year, the Nashville Electric Service planned to have 258 miles of vegetation trimmed by the end of August. The CEO said it only trimmed 89 miles.

A few months before the ice storm, an audit found NES was behind on tree trimming, which the audit said could worsen power outages. After the storm, NES announced more aggressive trimming policies like clearing trees up to 15 feet from power lines and other infrastructure instead of 10 feet.

NES’s CEO told the utility’s board that NES “implemented actions to increase production and improve pace.” She said tree trimming contractors are ramping up staff, and “we expected to see some level of transition there.” She also noted that a vendor using LiDAR data to create tree trimming plans took longer than anticipated.

NES’s board voted to allow the CEO to move forward with up to $15 million in new contracts to accelerate tree trimming.

💰 $544 million: which projects get funding

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell just released his new $544 million capital spending plan. It includes a new elementary school in Antioch, three new fire stations, funding to make progress toward a new Richland Park library, and money to finish more segments of the Cumberland River and Seven Mile Creek greenways.

I asked the mayor’s office for the full list of projects so you can look for anything that might impact your neighborhood — just click here. And if you’re really interested in doing a deep dive on a project, you can match a project ID to more details in this document.

Capital spending plans are typically funded with bonds. The proposal still needs approval from the Metro Council.

🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

Hermitage

• Up to $1.5 million haunted house lawsuit: A mother sued the Full Moon Slaughterhouse at 3445 Lebanon Pike after one of the actors allegedly chased her 16-year-old daughter beyond the perimeter of the haunted house. The lawsuit claims the girl tripped on an unmarked dropoff while running away and hit pavement. It doesn’t give much detail about her injuries, but it mentions “severe, permanent bodily injury and impairment.” You can read the full lawsuit here. The haunted house didn’t seem to know about the lawsuit based on the response I got yesterday. I shared a copy of it, and I’ll let you know if the business responds. More: a new lawsuit involving a Hermitage pizza restaurant.

• Honoring Phil Ponder: Did you notice new artwork decorating a utility box at the corner of Dodson Chapel Road and Central Pike? It’s a coneflower piece by well-known artist and former Metro Council member Phil Ponder. The new artwork and a nearby mural “give his work a lasting place in Hermitage and will bring color and joy to neighbors for years to come,” Metro Council member Jordan Huffman said. The Hermitage Chick-fil-A recently asked people to sign a card for Ponder after he entered hospice care.

Downtown (and nearby)

• Demolition cost: Tearing down the old Nissan Stadium will cost nearly $24 million, according to a new permit filed with Metro. I shared a week ago that a mechanical claw will begin tearing down the old stadium in March. Demolition is expected to take six months plus another few months to go through the rubble. The new stadium is on track to be open in about five months. This article explains how the stadium project is being funded.

• Public restrooms: While Nashville’s Downtown Partnership looks into possibly adding public restrooms in Downtown Nashville, you’re invited to give feedback at a public meeting today. It starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Museum of Christian and Gospel Music. You can also give your input with this survey.

Near Green Hills

• Cut-through traffic concerns: Traffic calming measures like speed cushions could come to part of Sweetbriar Avenue if neighbors approve. That deals with speeding, but at least some residents seem to be more upset about the volume of traffic with so many people using the road as a cut-through after exiting I-440 onto 21st Avenue South. One resident said “the volume on Sweetbriar is just untenable because it’s just getting worse and worse and you see so many things going up on 12 South and it just means more traffic and more people.” Residents talked about organizing to submit complaints. You can watch the community meeting here. And this website explains how you can apply for traffic calming in your neighborhood.

North Nashville

• Crime surge: Nearly every type of crime is down double-digit percentages since last year if you look at all of Davidson County. But if you zoom into the Metro Police Department’s North Precinct, it’s a different story over the past eight weeks. Violent crimes and property crimes in that period increased 30% compared to the same time last year. It’s not a matter of small numbers that allow deceptive percentages — violent crime cases increased from 119 to 155. Property crime cases jumped from 394 to 515. WTVF recently reported on “2 teens killed in separate North Nashville shootings days apart”. You can see crime maps for your neighborhood here.

Antioch

• Apartment wind flag crackdown: I reported yesterday on Metro Codes going after alleged signs violations on Lebanon Pike. Similar story today with apartment complexes in Antioch. Metro Codes told the owners at 1500 Bell Road (complaint), 1616 Bell Road (complaint), 2900 Hamilton Church Road (complaint), and 5099 Linbar Drive (complaint) to address signs like windflags that don’t follow Metro rules. More: my reporting on a codes audit sweeping through Antioch.

• New restaurant: Bangkok Bites applied for a permit to open at 12637 Old Hickory Boulevard. I wasn’t able to get in touch with anyone tied to the restaurant, but I’ll let you know if I learn more about the project.

East Nashville

• Limited options: A steep hill and driveways on Bullock Avenue will limit what traffic calming measures can be installed on the road. NDOT plans to install one speed cushion at the bottom of the hill between Jones Avenue and Oakwood Avenue. NDOT also wants to add bulb-outs (you can see one at 12:56 in this video) “so we can help vehicles enter and exit the street more slowly than they might be doing today.” People who live on the impacted stretch of Bullock Avenue will receive a ballot in the mail. Two-thirds of respondents need to approve the project for it to move forward.

• Dutch Bros. moving forward: The coffee chain received zoning approval from Metro’s Planning Commission to move forward with a new location at 5001 Gallatin Pike. I haven’t confirmed an opening date. You can see the menu here.

Bellevue

• Trouble at The Mason Jar: It was the Wynot Saloon, now it’s The Mason Jar at 142 Belle Forest Circle. In a new lawsuit, one of the owners claims the business is operating at a loss, and the other owner’s conduct “caused disruption to the Corporation's operations, staff turnover, and the loss of customers and goodwill, and on at least one occasion caused the business to close for the remainder of an evening.” You can read the full lawsuit here. It says each owner holds 50% of the business, so it asks a judge to intervene and possibly dissolve the company or force a buyout.

Berry Hill

• New Christmas store: Spirit Christmas announced it’ll open in November at 2721 8th Avenue South where Spirit Halloween currently operates.

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📰 A few final headlines…

• Historic execution: Christa Pike, convicted of murdering her classmate when she was a teenager, is scheduled to be executed this morning in Nashville. “If her execution goes as planned on Wednesday, she will be the first woman executed in Tennessee in more than 200 years,” The New York Times reported. She refused her final meal, according to multiple reports.

• Anti-terrorism funding for Nashville: “A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration cannot condition anti-terrorism funds to state and local governments on how they administer elections,” Politico said. I reported last month that Metro sued because it claimed funding for chemical and biological weapon detectors, among other things, was in jeopardy unless it made five changes to its election procedures before November. The Trump administration didn’t immediately give a comment to Politico, but it previously called similar lawsuits a “partisan pushback.”

• Two local Starbucks closures: Starbucks announced last week it was closing 250 underperforming stores. A list published by KGW includes two in our area: 1907 Gallatin Pike in Madison and 7083 Highway 70 South in Bellevue.

• Ballet goes on: After the Nashville Symphony announced a suspension of its season due to a financial crisis, the Nashville Ballet said its events will continue as planned. “We are committed to finding ways to work directly with as many of the talented Nashville Symphony musicians who were furloughed as possible, so that they may continue to add to our live performance experience for Music City’s favorite holiday tradition, Nashville’s Nutcracker and Cinderella in February,” the ballet said. More: multiple reports that the Nashville Symphony’s president/CEO stepped down.

• International Black Film Festival: It begins today with events at multiple locations around Nashville. This year’s theme is “Return on Independence.” Here are some links if you’re interested: event schedule, screening schedule, and ticket information.

• Poll results: I asked nash.news readers yesterday whether they support the punishment against Nashville state Senator Charlane Oliver for her protest while the Senate was in session. 48% of respondents said yes. 52% said no.

🧠 Today’s quiz

Test your memory of yesterday’s newsletter.

USPS packages that would normally pass through Louisville, Kentucky, and Evansville are being diverted to Nashville and a facility in which of the following states: Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, or Alabama?

Here’s a link to the answer.

🍔 MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville. And here’s a list version.

Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan

☀️ Weather

Rain chances return on Thursday. High: 87, Low: 59. Back to the 90s tomorrow.

✉️ USPS delivery delays

Have you noticed longer waits for packages delivered by the United States Postal Service? This might explain why.

The postal service is installing new package sorting equipment in Louisville, Knoxville, and Evansville, Indiana, according to this new notice. In the meantime, packages that would normally pass through these locations are being diverted to Nashville and a facility in Ohio, likely meaning more volume here.

“As these installations are completed and operations stabilize, processing flows and transit times in and out of the region will improve,” USPS said. “These upgrades are an important part of preparing our network for the upcoming peak holiday season.”

⚖️ Nashville state senator sues

Nashville state Senator Charlane Oliver threatened to do this, and now she’s followed through. She filed a federal lawsuit against Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally after he punished her for standing on her desk with a banner while the Senate was in session.

She was protesting this year’s special session to redraw congressional districts at the urging of President Trump. The lawsuit argues McNally violated her First Amendment rights when he removed Oliver from committee assignments and limited her per diem and travel reimbursements.

“When I stood on my Senate desk, I did it because the legislature swiftly moved to silence the voices of Black Tennesseans,” Oliver said. “An injustice of that magnitude demanded an equally urgent response.”

I reached out to McNally’s spokesperson for comment, but I didn’t hear back. The spokesperson previously told the Williamson Scene the punishment was “measured, appropriate and entirely legal.”

🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods

Antioch

• Movement at former Starwood Amphitheater: The first phase of redeveloping this property at 3839 Murfreesboro Pike into a mix of industrial, residential, retail, and commercial appears to be on the verge of starting. Developers applied for a permit to build four warehouses ranging in size from nearly 117,000 square feet to more than 127,000 square feet. I also found a listing for retail space on the property. More: a history of failed proposals for this property (at the end of article).

Bellevue

• Another infestation allegation: After a resident complained about an “ongoing cockroach problem that has continued despite repeated pest control treatments,” Metro Codes visited apartments at 6900 Sonya Drive. Codes ordered the owners to bring back the exterminator for the person’s apartment “and the entire building.” Metro Codes received a complaint about mice and cockroaches at the same property just last April.

Donelson & Hermitage

• What’s next for former church property: A restaurant with a drive-thru is planned at 605 Stewarts Ferry Pike. The building permit application doesn’t identify the restaurant. Metro Council approved a rezoning for the property in 2024 that would allow commercial space, a hotel, and apartments.

• Cleaning up Lebanon Pike: Metro Codes told three businesses to address sign-related codes violations like having a sign without a permit. They’re at 2547, 2605, and 4491 Lebanon Pike — click each address to see the report.

Downtown (and nearby)

• Transforming Wasioto Bend: Despite property owners’ concerns that proposed roads will cut through their land, Metro’s Planning Commission approved a new street grid around the scrap yard near Nissan Stadium known as Wasioto Bend. You can see the map on page 11 of this document. The decision doesn’t automatically condemn anyone’s property, but it sets the long-term plan for roads in the area.

West Nashville

• 65 health score: The health inspector who visited the Hillwood Country Club’s main kitchen flagged issues with food storage and temperature, among other things. You can read the full inspection here. I link to all inspections at the end of the newsletter.

Madison

• Plans for former car wash: A clothing store and auto detailing shop are planned for a former car wash at 815 Gallatin Pike, according to a new building permit application. They’re called Empire Clothing and Empire Auto Service/Detailing. The property sold in May for $750,000, a real estate listing said.

East Nashville

• Multiple traffic headaches: “Traffic near Shelby Avenue at South 2nd Street will be reduced to one inbound lane and two outbound lanes” for the next month to install new manholes, NDOT said. I also have an update on roadwork on Gallatin Pike: repaving and other improvements from South 5th Street to Briley Parkway have begun and will take about two months. That’ll mean lane closures at some points, but I don’t have exact dates and times. “Crews will work to maintain through traffic and minimize impacts, but people traveling along the route should expect some delays,” NDOT said.

Wedgewood-Houston

• Inside The Truth: Before this new music venue opens on Thursday with Miranda Lambert, it shared a first look at the inside in these pictures.

• More new restaurants: Olive & Thyme, a California-based chain, just received a building permit to open at The Finery at 620 Merritt Avenue. Here’s a link to their menu. A new restaurant is also planned for 1131 4th Avenue South, but the building permit application doesn’t name the brand. I’ve reached out to a contact for the application to get more details.

North Nashville

• Mobile health clinic today: The Metro Health Department will be set up today at the Hartman Park Regional Community Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Preventive services like immunizations and family planning services are available,” the health department said. You can read here how the department chooses locations for its clinics and where it’s going next.

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📰 A few final headlines…

• 66% increase in pedestrian deaths: Metro Police said a man was hit and killed on Sunday night while walking on Murfreesboro Pike at Summercrest Boulevard. 25 pedestrians have died in Nashville this year, according to state data, compared to 15 at the same point last year. A bill to ban right turns at red lights in 59 intersections in Nashville is scheduled for the second of three votes in Metro Council next week.

• Record-setting weather: If we don’t get any measurable rain before Thursday, “not only would it be the driest September on record, but it would also tie our driest month all-time,” Nashville Severe Weather reported. The current forecast calls for rain on Thursday.

• Don’t blame the moon: After widespread streetlight outages, you might’ve heard suspicions that the super bright harvest moon was responsible. NES initially thought the moon triggered sensors that control the lights, according to WKRN, but later realized it was a software issue.

• Nashville Symphony financial crisis: The symphony suspended the remainder of its 2026-2027 season effective October 18 “to put the Symphony on sound, sustainable financial footing,” it said in a statement late yesterday. Already bought tickets? This note gives some answers on what’ll happen.

• Another MLB roadblock in Nashville: The Atlanta Braves’ president and CEO told the Sports Business Journal he doesn’t like the idea of a Major League Baseball expansion team in Nashville. “I love Nashville. Just as a reminder, Tennessee is part of our territory, right?” he said. “We’re going to be protective of the territory… what we have.” ESPN reported earlier this month what else could stand in the way of Nashville getting a team.

• Slight increase in unemployment: The unemployment rate for the Nashville metropolitan area, which includes counties surrounding Nashville, slightly increased last month to 3.1% from 3% in July, according to new state data. That’s better than the state and national unemployment rate.

• “We need YOUR help”: Metro Police asked owners of Hyundai and Kias to check if their car has been recalled for a security flaw that allows thieves to steal the cars with something as simple as a USB cord. You can check for Hyundais at this link. And Kias at this link. I reported earlier this month that both car companies agreed to pay Metro a total of about $748,000 to settle a lawsuit over a 555% increase in stolen Kia and Hyundai vehicles from 2022 to 2023.

🧠 Today’s quiz

Test your memory of Friday’s newsletter. What did these three locations have in common in the newsletter?

• Target at 26 White Bridge Road

• Walmart at 7044 Charlotte Pike

• Target at 6814 Charlotte Pike

Here’s a link to the answers.

🍔 MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville. And here’s a list version.

Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan