The Boring Company provided 18 pages of answers last week to questions from Mayor Freddie O'Connell's office about the firm's ambitious Music City Loop plan.

Why it matters: The Boring Company wants O'Connell and his team to back its proposed underground tunnel connecting downtown to the airport.

• Although the project will primarily be overseen by the state, the responses make clear Metro will also play an important role.

Driving the news: Many of the mayor's office's most pressing questions were about security and how first responders would access the underground tunnel in the event of an emergency.

• In an 18-page document obtained by Axios, the Boring Company says the tunnels are designed in accordance with National Fire Protection Association standards, including "exit spacing no greater than 2,500 feet."
• "Music City Loop will be compliant with any authorities having jurisdiction over life safety procedures," the company said in the document.

Of note: The Boring Company says it has held productive meetings with the state Fire Marshal's Office and the Nashville Fire Department.

What they're saying: "Music City Loop tunnels will be equipped with redundant communication infrastructure to support 911 calls and responder communications, similar to Vegas Loop," the Boring Company said in its responses.

• The Boring Company reiterated no road closures are expected as a result of its project, because the company uses high-tech boring machines well below the surface. The firm says it will work with utility companies for permissions if any aspect of its work intersects with existing infrastructure.
• The memo also describes how its tunnels handle rain and floodwater. "The stations are elevated with barriers and/or drains with pumps to keep water from running into the system," the company says.

Zoom out: O'Connell's team also questioned how the project would be regulated and what permits are necessary. The Boring Company is pursuing its tunnel underneath Rosa Parks Boulevard downtown and then continuing along Murfreesboro Pike to the airport.

• Elon Musk's firm says the Tennessee Department of Transportation will review its construction plans.
• A TDOT spokesperson tells Axios the Boring Company announced its intent to file a permit application with the department. The company will also obtain a long-term lease from TDOT for "occupancy and operation" of the tunnel, spokesperson Beth Emmons says.
• "It is standard operating procedure to tailor each permit to its corresponding application. This being a first-of-its-kind project, we expect this request would result in an enhanced grading permit to address the large scope of work," she says.

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The first annual Grassroots and Nudie Suits Festival, celebrating Madison's unique music history and arts scene, takes place Saturday.

Why it matters: The free, family-friendly event features music, food trucks and artisan vendors.

• The celebration culminates in a ticketed concert headlined by the Time Jumpers and The Farmer & Adele at Madison's Harken Hall.

Catch up quick: Like many Nashville neighborhoods, Madison has a unique music history. Artists like Patsy Cline and Hank Snow called Madison home.

• Nudie Suits is an homage to the famous country music designer Nudie Cohn, who was known for his over-the-top and colorful threads. Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash are among the many legends who wore his blazers and suits.
• More recently, Nudie Suits experienced a resurgence with artists like Post Malone sporting its coats.

Zoom out: Madison is on the upswing, with popular restaurants like Shotgun Willie's and Daddy's Dogs relocating there.

• The neighborhood is a popular place to live for musicians and artists.

If you go: Grassroots and Nudie Suits takes place at Madison Station Boulevard. The festival's Amqui Stage will feature a full bill of music from 11am until 5pm.

• Daddy's Dogs, Madtown Coffee and the Grilled Cheeserie are among the food vendors.

For more information visit the festival's website.

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🏨 Dolly Parton's SongTeller hotel will open next year. More details about the development were recently released. (Tennessean)

🤠 Washington D.C. added a taste of Nashville with the opening of the new honky-tonk Desert 5 Spot. (Axios D.C.)

🍽️ The New York Times released its updated list of the best 25 restaurants in Nashville, including critical darling Noko. (NY Times)

How do you say, "terrible offensive playcalling" in Portuguese?

• It's a worthwhile search before the Titans' home opener on Sunday against the Rams.

Driving the news: The Titans, who had a poor offensive showing Sunday against the Broncos, are among the NFL leaders in tickets purchased by international fans.

Why it matters: Fans from 83 countries are buying tickets to NFL games this season on StubHub, up from 72 last year.

The big picture: The league's global footprint is growing as more overseas games are played each season.

• The NFL's international slate includes games in Ireland and Spain for the first time ever.

StubHub spokesperson Adam Budelli says buyers are "coming from more countries than ever before."

By the numbers: The Titans ranked No. 8 with 2.7% of tickets purchased on StubHub from international fans.

• The Jacksonville Jaguars have by far the largest share (nearly 33%) of international ticket buyers on the platform.
• The Jags have been playing in London annually since 2013.

The Miami Dolphins lead all NFL teams with the most countries (53) buying tickets.

The bottom line: Florida games are a hot ticket for the NFL's international fans.

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