Happy Election Day, Nashville! It’s November 3.
☁️ Increasing clouds with shower and storm chances tonight. High: 79, Low: 63
📍 New in Nashville’s Neighborhoods: How much you could pay to use I-24 toll lanes, indoor golf, a closing sale for a 171-year-old store, why you might notice low water on the lake, a plan to boost library visitors, new cake and coffee shops, and much more.
📰 Also in today’s newsletter: Shrinking the Metro Council, a data center company tries again, and a few links for Election Day.
🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods
Southeast
How much you could pay to use I-24 toll lanes: I just got a copy of the concession agreement between TDOT and DriveTN, the group of companies that plans to build toll lanes from roughly I-440 to Murfreesboro. The maximum toll in light traffic is $0.80 per mile. Once volume increases to a “500 passenger car equivalent per hour per lane,” the toll cap increases to $1.60 per mile. If speeds drop to 55 miles per hour or lower, “the Developer is entitled to exceed the User Fee Limit” until traffic clears. The price caps will increase each year with a formula tied to inflation, or at minimum 2.5% per year. So, how will you know what you’ll pay? Signs at each toll lane entrance must show the total price to the nearest exit and to the farthest exit. You can read the full agreement here. The first section of the project could open as early as 2032.
Downtown (and nearby)
Bringing people back to the library: Visits to the downtown branch of the Nashville Public Library are “probably at about 50% of where we were” prior to the 2025 parking garage fire that forced the library to close for months, Assistant Director for Main Library Chantel Clark estimated. Circulation has rebounded, she said. The library is working on an “activation plan” to increase traffic while the garage remains closed, including a merchandise store at the circulation desk and “some merchandising and book displays in our windows.” Changes to discounted parking took effect yesterday, which you can read more about here. One more library note: Jersey Mike’s is open in the former Copper Branch space.
Park closure: Wasioto Park is closed through January 28 for a “long-term improvement project.” Here’s a map of the affected area. Greenway access will not be impacted, according to Metro Parks.
Green Hills
Winding down after 171 years: The closing sale at Levy’s Clothier (3900 Hillsboro Pike) begins today. The owners announced in August that they’d close in December because of health issues and an upcoming lease renewal. The store describes itself as “one of America’s oldest continuously family-operated clothing stores.” You can read more about its history here.
Old Hickory
Low water: If you notice Old Hickory Lake is lower than usual, this is why. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will lower water levels a foot or two below “normal pool” to “conduct shoreline assessments and routine recreation area maintenance.” The drawdown was scheduled to start yesterday, and water levels are supposed to be back to normal by the end of the month.
East Nashville
Back to court: This property has been on Metro Codes’ radar for years, and the owner appears to be heading back to court. The inspector who visited 870 Carter Street issued a citation for junk and broken down or unregistered vehicles on the property. The property was last cited in 2024, but Metro Codes also issued a warning around this time last year.
Mobile health clinic: Need a vaccination? The Metro Health Department’s mobile health clinic will be set up today at the Cleveland Park Community Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can read about all of the services they offer here.
The Nations
Indoor golf: City Golf USA calls itself “America’s first full 18-hole indoor golf experience.” It just got a permit for nearly $9 million in construction to open an indoor golf facility at 141 Crestline Xing. This page has some answers to frequently asked questions.
Bellevue
Nothing Bundt Cakes: Bellevue’s new store appears to be opening today, according to a Google listing for 8133 Sawyer Brown Road. Here’s a link to the menu. The cake shop is also expanding to Donelson. A permit application was just filed for a new location at 2272 Lebanon Pike.
Hermitage
Cleaning up trash: If you’ve noticed trash at the Old Hickory Boulevard I-40 exit (221B), Metro Council member Erin Evans said “the Office of Homeless Services and MNPD are involved and working with the gentleman involved.” She said she also reached out to TDOT about litter cleanup.
Library survey: I told nash.news readers this was coming, and now I have a link to share with you. If you want to give your input on renovations to the Hermitage library, here’s the survey. I reported last month the library is expected to close for renovations next year through January 2028.
Hillsboro Village
New coffee shop: Starbucks plans to open at 1817 21st Avenue South, according to a new building permit application. It’s one of several new locations I’ve reported in Nashville, including the site of a former bank in Hermitage at 2725 Old Lebanon Pike and near Berry Hill at 2015 8th Avenue South.
Music Row
Short-term rental problems: Metro Codes accused two owners at Motif on Music Row (50 Music Square West) of illegally turning their units into short-term rentals. Both Airbnb listings show a host named “GoodNight,” and one of the listings has been up since at least May, based on the reviews.
Near 12 South
Construction warning: Nighttime paving is planned for Belmont Boulevard between Beechwood Avenue and Graybar Lane through Friday, according to NDOT.
Sylvan Park
New coffee shop: Elegy Coffee expands again this week with a new location opening at Sylvan Supply (4101 Charlotte Avenue) on Friday. I’ve enjoyed my visits to the Wedgewood-Houston location — here’s a link to the menu.
Donelson
Food drive: Jack’s Deli at 2720 Old Lebanon Pike is holding a Thanksgiving food drive through November 20. “Shelf stable food items are the top priority,” it said in a Facebook post. “If you need a warm Thanksgiving plate or some shelf stable food, come see us on 11/22.” This post gives contact info if you want to help.
📰 A few more stories I’m following…
Shrinking the Metro Council: Tennessee’s Supreme Court upheld a state law that cuts the size of the Metro Council in half to 20 members. Translation: Council members will be representing more people. The legislature’s Republican supermajority passed the law after the Metro Council voted against hosting the Republican National Convention in Nashville. The ruling doesn’t lay out how or when the changes will take effect, but the next council election is next year.
Data center company tries again: The company that wants to build a data center next to the Nashville Zoo filed an amended lawsuit against Metro after a federal judge threw out the last version. One of the new allegations: that the Metro Council authorized using eminent domain to take the property for office space or other uses even though Metro had not taken actions to acquire the property before the data center project got attention. “The condemnation authorization was enacted to stop DC BLOX’s data-center use rather than to accomplish a genuine public use,” the lawsuit said. The judge already struck several of the claims in the amended lawsuit for not following proper procedure.
Election day: I’ll cast my ballot in a few hours, and if you haven’t already voted, this link will help you find your polling place. If you have questions about what’s on the ballot, including the meaning of constitutional amendments, the Nashville Banner put together this voter’s guide.
🍽️ Restaurant inspections
Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Talk to you tomorrow! —Ryan