A group of Nashville developers has dropped its plans to redevelop Greer Stadium after archaeologists determined that it was “highly likely” that the human remains of slaves impressed to build the adjacent Fort Negley were buried on parts of the redevelopment site.
“The likelihood of graves means that we should reassess plans for this site so as to better honor and preserve the history of the men and women who died in the construction of a fort that helped save the Union,” Mayor Megan Barry said in a release.
Opponents to the redevelopment project, including Pith writer Betsy Phillips, have long argued remains of enslaved laborers were likely to be found beneath the property.
Bert Mathews, principal of the Cloud Hill Partnership formed to develop the site, said it had formally withdrawn from its contract with Metro. The group also includes T Bone Burnett and Tom Middleton.
Tennessee Valley Archaelogical Research conducted the report released Friday, which identified undisturbed soils along the periphery of the property and the historical record as two indications that “impressed slaves were likely buried in these areas.”
TVAR recommends that a portion of the project be protected and reintegrated into the adjacent Fort Negley Park. Phillips, among others, has argued that the whole Greer Stadium site is already part of Fort Negley Park and should remain so.
“The Cloud Hill Partnership put forward a wonderful proposal that even critics thought would be a welcome addition to the community, if perhaps at another site,” Barry said. “I regret that we will not be able to move forward with this project, but I want to thank them for stepping up and helping us see what a sustainable, responsible, and equitable development could look like on this land.”
