Good morning, Nashville! It’s Tuesday, September 29. New in Nashville’s neighborhoods: movement at the former Starwood Amphitheater, another apartment infestation allegation, a 65 restaurant score, and multiple traffic headaches ahead.
☀️ 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.
📰 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
🍔 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