🏮 Why is Zoolumination canceled?!

🎼 A Nashville Institution Celebrates 80 Years

The Nashville Symphony opens the season this weekend! On today’s podcast, internationally acclaimed conductor Leonard Slatkin, the symphony’s new music director, talks about his plans for the orchestra, the meaning behind the season’s programs, and his hopes for the symphony’s future as it celebrates its 80th anniversary. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🗳️ Another Vice Mayoral Candidate

Metro Councilmember Burkley Allen has announced she’s running for Nashville’s vice mayor in next year’s election. She joins Councilmembers Zulfat Suara and Kyonzté Toombs, setting up what will likely be one of the more competitive races on the ballot. Allen is an engineer who has served on Metro Council for 15 years. Current Vice Mayor Angie Henderson has yet to announce if she’s running for reelection. [Axios Nashville]

🐯 Favorite Holiday Event Canceled

The Nashville Zoo has canceled this year’s Zoolumination after the Chinese artisans behind the light extravaganza, Inlight Festival Group, were denied visas. Zoolumination is the largest lantern festival in the U.S., and this company has partnered with the zoo to create the displays since 2019. To replace Zoolumination, the zoo is partnering with a Canadian company on a holiday event called Glow Wild, featuring glowing wildlife, holiday displays, and an 85-foot synchronized Christmas tree. [Nashville Post]

• 😞 Zoolumination was my favorite winter holiday event. [📰 City Cast Nashville]

💰 Should Data Centers Receive Tax Exemptions?

State Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) plans to file legislation for the 2027 session prohibiting Tennessee from issuing data center tax exemptions for the next three years. Currently, a state law allows data centers to purchase electricity at a reduced tax rate and some equipment without paying sales tax. In exchange, data centers must invest at least $100 million over three years and create 15 full-time jobs. There are 25 data centers in Nashville. [Tennessee Lookout]

• Sentiment against data centers has grown following the proposed data center by the Nashville Zoo. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]
• In neighboring Gallatin, some residents are concerned about a Meta data center, citing a lack of transparency and worsening quality of life, while the mayor defends the facility and argues it brings revenue to the city. [WPLN]

Let your voice be heard! These Nashville groups and organizations are seeking public feedback, from how to improve a beloved park to public transit additions. Fill out these surveys or attend these community meetings to help make Nashville a better place to live.

📚 Your Library. Your Voice.

The Nashville Public Library wants to hear from you, whether you visit the library every day or have yet to go (what are you waiting for?!). Take the online survey anytime in September or stop by the special survey station at any NPL branch. You can also snag the new Libraries Are For Everyone library card while you’re there.

🏞️ Imagine Shelby’s Future

Friends of Shelby Park & Bottoms are inviting park enthusiasts to sign up for a one-hour focus group in September to discuss future programming and changes. As a bonus, you’ll get free pizza! Sign up here; there are limited spots available.

🚌 WeGo Public Transit Service Changes

WeGo is seeking public feedback on a proposed new connector route in Antioch as well as frequency improvements for its winter 2027 service changes. Attend virtual and in-person meetings from Sept. 29 to Oct. 6, or send an email with your thoughts. The public feedback period runs from Sept. 21 to Oct. 16.

🖤 Jefferson Street Corridor Study

Jefferson Street has long been the center of Black history in Nashville. Choose How You Move is seeking community feedback on what transportation changes should be made in the neighborhood, such as sidewalk improvements, bike connections, and additional parking.

🚗 Long-Range Transportation Plan

The Tennessee Department of Transportation wants to know what you think TDOT’s future priorities should be, all the way to 2055. Take the online survey here.

👋 Your Neighborhood

Keep an eye on Metro Nashville’s event listings for community meetings in your neighborhood, from traffic calming discussions to chats with councilmembers and street clean-ups. You can also stay informed by signing up for your Metro councilmember’s newsletter. Find out what district you’re in and who your councilmember is here.