The proposed DC BLOX data center in South Nashville — a single‑story, 69,220 sq ft facility described in public permits as "just feet away" from the Nashville Zoo — has sparked major public opposition. A petition opposing the project drew more than 400,000 signatures in under a week and exceeded 450,000 by June 17, with country star Brad Paisley among its supporters. Nashville's Metro Council advanced a temporary moratorium on data‑center approvals on June 9 while DC BLOX says it will use water‑conserving cooling, pay for needed power infrastructure, and mitigate noise and lighting.
Brad Paisley Joins Hundreds of Thousands Backing Nashville Zoo Against Proposed Data Center
Photo Credit: Getty Images
A proposal to build a DC BLOX data center adjacent to the Nashville Zoo has become a major local flashpoint, drawing widespread public opposition and celebrity support.
What Happened
Less than a week after the zoo launched a petition opposing the project, the effort gathered more than 400,000 signatures and quickly attracted the backing of country star Brad Paisley, local station WSMV4 reported. By June 17 the petition had grown to more than 450,000 signatures.
Project Details
Public permit filings show plans for a single-story data center of about 69,220 square feet to be built in South Nashville — reportedly "just feet away" from the zoo. The permits describe a commercial facility that would require significant construction, power and cooling infrastructure.
Community Concerns
The Nashville Zoo and petition supporters warn that the site's proximity threatens "one of the most fragile and rare collections of animals in the country." Opponents say the project reflects a broader trend of data centers moving into or near community assets and recreational spaces.
Residents have raised concerns about heavy construction, increased traffic, higher energy and water demand, bright exterior lighting and persistent noise — all of which can affect nearby homes, schools and public attractions. For the zoo specifically, animal welfare advocates emphasize that many species are sensitive to disturbance and that families visiting to experience wildlife expect a natural, low‑impact setting.
Local Policy Response
On June 9 Nashville's Metro Council advanced an ordinance to impose a temporary moratorium on accepting, processing, approving or issuing zoning, building and grading actions for data centers across Davidson County. The pause could affect the DC BLOX proposal near the zoo as well as a separate project at Fisk University.
Developer Response
DC BLOX told WSMV4 it "has heard and appreciates the concerns that have been raised about our newly proposed data center in Nashville near the zoo."
The company said it would use closed‑loop or waterless cooling designs to conserve water, coordinate with the local utility to pay for any necessary power and infrastructure, test and manage noise to meet local limits, and shield light fixtures to reduce light pollution.
Why It Matters
The dispute highlights a growing debate over how communities balance economic development and critical infrastructure with environmental protection, neighborhood quality of life and the well‑being of animals in public institutions such as zoos. The Metro Council moratorium gives local leaders time to review zoning rules and decide how — or whether — to permit new data centers in sensitive or high‑use locations.
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