By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-10 21:37:49 | Updated at 2026-06-15 06:33:33
4 days ago
Some of America's biggest country stars are coming together to fight an Atlanta-based tech company's proposal to build a data center right next to the Nashville Zoo.
The proposed 69,220-square-foot data center in south Nashville would sit directly adjacent to the Nashville Zoo, according to local TV reports from WSMV and WTVF.
Leading the charge is Grammy Award-winning country star Brad Paisley, who asked millions of his social media followers to sign a petition to stop the project.
'It's an absolute nightmare scenario,' Paisley said in a video posted to Instagram. 'First of all they don't have the power to build this, the water, it doesn't belong there.
'The zoo is one of the sources of joy in the city. It is one of the top zoos in the world,' he added.
Joining the call was legendary singer Sheryl Crow, who commented under Paisley's video, saying, 'Thank you, Brad for raising your voice. I am signing the petition and ask others to do the same.'
Christian singer Brandon Lake, former White Stripes lead vocalist Jack White, One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz and singer-songwriter Margo Price also stated their intention to sign the petition.
The Change.org petition has garnered nearly 380,000 signatures as of June 10, including support from Nashville City Councilwoman Courtney Johnston, who wrote about her intention to try to halt the project.
Some of America's biggest music stars are coming together to fight back against a data center proposal that would be built right next to the Nashville Zoo, where animals such as the clouded leopard are highly susceptible to noise and light disruption
Leading the charge is award-winning country singer Brad Paisley, who shared to his millions of followers a petition to stop the project.
Joining the call was legendary singer Sheryl Crow, who commented under Paisley's video, saying she would sign the peititon and share it with others
'Please know that I am doing everything in my power, legislatively and otherwise, to prevent this development next to our beloved zoo,' Johnston wrote.
'I late-filed a temporary moratorium on data center-related development to give us time to pass policy and regulations around data centers. I have cosponsored that bill and have several amendments to strengthen it as well.'
'Additionally, I've filed an appeal against the zoning administrator's classification decision. I'm also speaking with many lawyers and experts in conjunction with zoo officials - literally going against it from every angle.'
Critics - including Nashville Zoo CEO Rick Schwartz - argue the facility could threaten the zoo's 3,000 animals, particularly sensitive species such as its clouded leopards, which are highly susceptible to noise and light disruption.
Schwartz said the zoo has not worked with the data center, called DC Blox, on the proposal and has urged public opposition, calling for 'a better place that it can go instead of around the No. 1 attraction that's focused on animals and children.'
DC Blox told the Daily Mail that the company has reached out to the zoo's leadership 'to meet, learn and to directly discuss the concerns that have been raised'.
'Though we believe that our proposed design addresses the concerns publicly expressed, we are willing to adjust our approach based on direct discussions,' a DC Blox spokesperson said.
The company also cited potential mitigation measures, including closed-loop or waterless cooling systems, noise testing, light shielding and commitments to pay for associated energy infrastructure.
Christian singer Brandon Lake, former Stripes lead vocalist Jack White, One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz and singer-songwriter Margo Price also stated their intention to sign the petition
Nashville Zoo's CEO Rick Schwartz said the zoo has not worked with DC Blox on the proposal and has urged public opposition
Another data center built by DC Blox was built in Greenville, South Carolina, which sits at 36,493 sq ft and consists of three operational data centers
The proposal has become a flashpoint in a broader debate over the rapid expansion of data centers and their environmental and community impacts.
Supporters say AI data centers bring investment and tax revenue, while critics point to concerns over power demand, noise, and resource use.
Metro Council members have also proposed a temporary moratorium on new data center development as zoning rules are reviewed.
The Planning Commission is expected to take up the proposal at a meeting on June 11.
The Nashville Zoo didn't immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment.
