Metro Council to vote on opposing Music City Loop
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Metro Council will vote at its meeting Tuesday night on whether to officially oppose the Boring Company's Music City Loop project.
Why it matters: The Boring Company has ambitious plans for Nashville. Embarking on its underground tunnel system against the wishes of the city council calls into question the project's long-term viability.
State of play: Gov. Bill Lee announced last week that the first phase of the Music City Loop, which will connect downtown to the Nashville airport, received the appropriate state and federal approvals.
- Metro's permitting power is more administrative, focusing on emergency vehicle access and stormwater issues.
Yes, but: Elon Musk's company has broader plans that call for a tunnel system throughout the city, including down West End, Charlotte Pike and perhaps under the river to East Nashville.
- It's likely that Music City Loop will need Metro Council sign-off at some point in the plan.
Friction point: State Sen. Jack Johnson introduced legislation last week seeking to create a new subterranean transportation authority that would usurp city control and oversee tunnel projects.
- That built momentum against the tunnel in the council.
Between the lines: Metro Councilmember Delishia Porterfield is behind the memorializing resolution opposing the Boring Company.
- It is a symbolic vote, meaning the project wouldn't die if it passes.
East Bank
Council will also vote on a redevelopment plan for the former East Bank scrapyard site.
- The proposal would add the old scrapyard to the downtown code and rezone the property to allow for tall buildings and mixed-use development. Residents opposing the plan say it calls for too much density and not enough community input.
- The two bills related to the scrapyard site are on the second of three required votes.