How large is the planned data center?

The initial facility will span 69,000 square feet, with plans for an additional building of 261,000 square feet to be built later.

What rare animals does the Nashville Zoo protect?

The zoo hosts 3,700 animals representing 350 different species, including endangered clouded leopards in a successful breeding program and Amur leopards, of which fewer than 200 remain in the wild.

What is the next step in the approval process?

Nashville's Metropolitan Planning Commission will examine two proposed bills—one establishing zoning rules for data centers and another instituting a moratorium on new data center projects—during a public hearing on July 7.

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Nashville Zoo battles 69,000-sq-ft data center plan next to endangered species habitat

Fortune AI17h ago5 min read

Key takeaway

A data center planned by DC BLOX next to the Nashville Zoo is facing significant opposition from the zoo, environmental groups, and celebrities including country music star Brad Paisley, who has called it an "enormous monstrosity." The zoo, which houses endangered species like the clouded leopard, is concerned about noise, light pollution, and potential harm to protected animals' breeding patterns. The conflict is now before Nashville's city council, which is considering zoning rules and a moratorium on new data center projects.

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3 Key Points

What happened
DC BLOX, an Atlanta-based company, is planning to build a data center spanning 69,000 square feet next to the Nashville Zoo, with plans for a second building of 261,000 square feet. The zoo, which houses 3,700 animals including rare species like the endangered clouded leopard and Amur leopard, has filed a zoning appeal and is exploring legal action. A petition against the project has collected more than 533,700 signatures as of Monday afternoon.
Why it matters
The zoo is concerned the data center will irreversibly damage the 350 species it protects and manages in breeding programs. Environmental groups have warned the facility could cause noise and light pollution that disrupts animals' breeding patterns and stress responses, potentially violating federal environmental laws. The conflict reflects broader tension between AI infrastructure growth and local community and environmental concerns.
What to watch
Nashville's Metropolitan Planning Commission recently recommended two bills—one establishing zoning rules for data centers and another instituting a moratorium on new data center projects until rules are in place. The commission will examine both bills during a public hearing on July 7. DC BLOX's lawyer told the planning commission the company already has permits and plans to build.

FAQ

How large is the planned data center?: The initial facility will span 69,000 square feet, with plans for an additional building of 261,000 square feet to be built later.
What rare animals does the Nashville Zoo protect?: The zoo hosts 3,700 animals representing 350 different species, including endangered clouded leopards in a successful breeding program and Amur leopards, of which fewer than 200 remain in the wild.
What is the next step in the approval process?: Nashville's Metropolitan Planning Commission will examine two proposed bills—one establishing zoning rules for data centers and another instituting a moratorium on new data center projects—during a public hearing on July 7.

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