💰 Councilmember accused of coercion

💸 Councilmember Accused of Coercion

The CEO of Best Brands has filed a formal ethical complaint accusing CM Joy Kimbrough of demanding the company pay half a million dollars for her support of its project to build a warehouse in Bordeaux. We’re discussing that and the rest of the week’s news on the City Cast Nashville podcast. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🧑🏻‍💼 Mayor's Office "Intrigued" By Tesla Tunnel

A memo shows Mayor O’Connell knew about The Boring Company’s Tesla tunnel proposal in May 2024, and while "intrigued," wanted to wait until after November’s transit referendum vote to discuss further. However, after President Trump’s election win, the mayor’s office reportedly decided distance was needed from the project. [🔒 Nashville Business Journal]

🚸 Residents Protest Deadly Crosswalk

Dozens of residents gathered Wednesday to block the crosswalk on 3rd Ave N. in Germantown where pedestrian Dot Dobbins was killed and another person seriously injured by drivers over the past two months. The protestors are advocating for stronger pedestrian protections across the city. NDOT Director Diana Alarcon says her department lacks the funding and staff to implement changes efficiently. [WSMV]

🏘️ ‘Not in My Backyard’

The arguments against a new affordable housing development in South Nashville in many ways mirror a broader city-wide debate. A developer requested a zoning change to build 64 row homes priced in the low $300,000s, but with community pushback against rezoning, he would instead be forced to build 25-30 single-family homes at around $600,000 each. [Nashville Banner]

• Could housing co-ops be a solution? [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
• How do you think Nashville should address our housing crisis? Email me!

Jude and Prudence are kitties from the Nashville Cat Rescue. After watching their birth livestreamed by a friend during the pandemic, their human parents fell in love. They were the first two kitties in the litter of six, and the only ones with white coloring. Five years later, and they’re as playful and cuddly as ever. They both love the Beatles, hence their names. “Hey Jude” and “Dear Prudence” also fit their personalities perfectly! Their parents are always yelling “hey Jude!” as he gets into trouble, and calling “dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play?” I want to snuggle them both!