Good morning, Nashville! It’s Tuesday, August 25th. Today’s edition of what’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods includes a prediction that one part of town will grow by nearly 25% by 2030 and proposed rezoning that could lead to more students at schools already filled to capacity.
⚡ Quick hits
Weather: ☀️ High: 92, Low: 69. Storm chances return tomorrow night.
From the treatment of homeless people to road closures, there’s uncertainty about Metro’s power over Downtown Nashville because of emergency rules released by the state. Tennessee’s tourism commissioner “had to personally intervene” to keep a film project moving forward, according to an NDOT official. You can read my full report about the law’s impact here.
A five-day federal operation targeting illegal firearms and drug trafficking across Nashville ended with 44 arrests and 160 firearms seized, “many of them assault-style rifles equipped with high-capacity magazines,” the Department of Justice said. They also found “switches” that can turn pistols into machine guns. The operation focused on the “Harding Place/I-24 corridor, Bell Road-Murfreesboro Pike area, Brick Church Pike-Trinity Lane corridor, and the Napier-Sudekum neighborhood.”
Property tax relief for Broadway bars: Tennessee’s new Joint Capital Tourism Board is scheduled to meet for the first time on October 1, a spokesperson for the state comptroller’s office confirmed to me. That board could decide to give grants to restaurants and bars after property tax bills quadrupled in some cases. The Republican legislature limited any grants to businesses in Nashville’s Tourism Development Zone, which is essentially downtown. Any grants would be funded with excess tax revenue tied to the Music City Center.
“I can’t stand lying”: Did you sign a petition in favor of asking Nashville voters to remove racing from the Nashville Fairgrounds? Metro Council member Courtney Johnston shared a website that helps people remove their name after allegations that some canvassers misled people about what the petition does. “If you signed this believing what you were told - that it’s bringing affordable housing to an area that’s already set to be demolished. You signed in error,” Johnston wrote. On the other side: just last week, the group behind the petition claimed its members had to file police reports for assault and harassment.
🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods
Downtown
The number of people living downtown will increase about 24% to nearly 29,000 by 2030, according to a projection by Nashville’s Downtown Partnership. An oversupply of apartments downtown has allowed me to negotiate a net decrease in rent every year via concessions like several months of free rent since 2023. The partnership says about 1,500 additional residential units are under construction, and more than 9,000 are planned.
Bellevue
Developers of The Radicle, described as a sanctuary for artists with an amphitheater, submitted final plans for review by Metro. The property covers nearly 12 acres at 6842 Highway 70 South.
Antioch
More growth with schools at capacity: a rezoning that would allow nearly 300 housing units around 5862 Mt. View Road is up for a vote at Metro Planning Commission this week. When I asked Metro Council member Joy Styles for details on what’s planned for the nearly 15 acres, she indicated there could be an update at a community meeting this week, so I’ll check in later this week. Metro staff says the rezoning could add 78 students, with Cane Ridge Elementary School, Antioch Middle School, and Cane Ridge High School, at capacity.
📰 A few final headlines…
While President Trump tells Canada to “fall in line” as a trade war reignites, the Nashville metropolitan area ranked fifth in the country for its reliance on exports to Canada, according to data released last year by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. A state website says 8,300 Tennesseans are employed by Canadian companies.
After Lightning 100’s “Live on the Green” free music festival was canceled in 2023 at least partly over costs, the event’s website has a countdown for noon today. I’ll let you know if it’s returning!
“Mid-September is the prime dealmaking window” for homebuyers in Nashville, according to new research from Redfin. In Nashville, “there are roughly twice as many home sellers as buyers in the market,” the company said.
Poll results: in yesterday’s newsletter, I asked whether you support license plate readers for law enforcement. 73% of respondents said yes.
🧠 Today’s puzzle: By The Numbers
Let’s test your memory of yesterday’s newsletter. Match the number to the story.
Numbers
66
15
70
20
Stories
Restaurant inspection score
Canadian tourism decline (in percentage)
Height of proposed tower
Decade when Buzzard Hollow landfill was abandoned (19_ _ s)
🍔 MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville
Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. -Ryan