FW: Email us! The future of the East Bank's Scrapyard

[carey...@comcast.net]

My council member asked me to pass this on and encourage people to contact their own member.  The East Nashville CMs are offering some amendments to the EB zoning which is the old scrapyard and not the area under control of the EB Authority.

 

If you’re in East Nashville you can attend the Inglewood Neighborhood Association tonight to hear from the CMs and a representative of the East Bank Authority.  Clay Capp will be at the meeting and is also holding “office hours” from 3-5 Friday in the Bongo Java side yard. He says it can continue at Fridays by the River at Shelby Park.

 

I intend to ask about that damn road, green space and bike connections to EN and to Shelby Park. The zoning hearing is Tuesday night at council.

 

Carey

 

 

 

 

 

View this email in your browser       Dear Neighbors, I’m reaching out today because this is moving to final consideration next week — and your voice matters now. For decades, we have all lived with the riverfront scrapyard as a fixture of our city’s landscape. We’ve all been waiting for the day when this site would finally transform. Now, a "once-in-a-generation" change is at our doorstep. Both Monday and Tuesday night, Council will consider a rezoning for the East Bend, without binding commitments about what we can expect to see in the future. You may not live near the East Bank or East Bend area. But make no mistake: what happens there will shape the future of our entire city. The East Bend is one of the largest and most significant redevelopment sites in Nashville. It sits on our riverfront. It connects downtown to the East Side. It will influence our skyline, traffic patterns, housing supply, infrastructure, and tax base for generations. Decisions of this scale do not just affect one district — they belong to all of Nashville. Over the past several years, from 2020 to 2024, our city undertook the Imagine East Bank planning process. That effort included extensive public engagement, expert input, and years of work to create a thoughtful framework for how this area should grow — with walkability, resilience, transit, housing, and public space at the center. That kind of planning matters. Now, we are being asked to consider a blanket rezoning for a major portion of this area, the East Bend. But when we are dealing with a riverfront site of this magnitude - 47 acres - we must move deliberately and ensure our decisions align with the adopted plan. We cannot sidestep the standards and vision we spent years developing. And we cannot treat this like a routine zoning request. This site is too important. We've all wanted change here. Let's get it right. That means asking hard questions: Does the proposal align with the adopted East Bank vision? Are infrastructure commitments — roads, transit, sidewalks, bike lanes — guaranteed up front? Does it create a true neighborhood for Nashvillians, or does it allow for commercial uses that benefit corporate interests? How will it affect traffic, schools, public safety, and long-term city finances? Are we building something that reflects our shared values? You've told me that you want restrictions to limit massive hotels in the East Bend. And this is exactly why clarity matters before broad rezonings — so the public understands what could be built. These are not “East Side only” or “Downtown Code only” questions. We spent years planning this area — this decision should reflect that same level of care. Major land use decisions deserve major public input. Whether you live in District 7, Antioch, Bordeaux, Green Hills, Donelson, or Madison — this riverfront belongs to you too. If you have thoughts about what you want to see in the East Bend, now is the time to speak. Even a short email makes a difference. Please email your thoughts to: Council...@nashville.gov or each CM directly at firstname...@nashville.gov. A simple "I have concerns" email is good. It truly makes a big difference when Councilmembers hear from you. We read them, we respond to them, and we rely on them for our votes. Or show up if you can: Council Planning & Zoning Committee Monday, April 6 @ 4:30 PM 1 Public Square, Council Chambers Council Meeting Tuesday, April 7 @ 6:30 PM (arrive before 5pm to sign up for Public Comment) If you want to share more, tell us your position on any of these, for instance: What should the East Bank prioritize? What concerns do you have? What does responsible growth look like to you? Should uses be restricted to prevent entertainment like we see across the river? Does this zoning bill require the elements being promised? Will this truly be a neighborhood for Nashvillians? How should building heights relate to the rest of the riverfront's design throughout the entire East Bank from Jefferson/Spring all the way to East Bend? (The new stadium is ~25 stories.) We took years to thoughtfully plan the East Bank. We owe it to ourselves — and to future Nashvillians — to move deliberately and get this right. With appreciation, Emily emilyb...@nashville.gov 615-432-1307   Copyright © 2026 Emily Benedict for District 7, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Emily Benedict for District 7 204 Metropolitan Courthouse P.O. Box 196300 Nashville, TN 37219-6300 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.