Downtown surveillance cameras will not be purchased with state grant funds awarded to the Nashville Downtown Partnership, following a Tuesday vote from the Metro Council and amid public opposition.
At its first meeting of the year, the council voted 20-15 (with three abstentions) to reject the the use of funds for the purchase of 15 video surveillance cameras, which would have replaced existing cameras downtown. The vote stemmed from a $15 million state grant awarded to the Nashville Downtown Partnership (NDP) for the use public safety. The council voted to defer consideration of the grant in December.
Fearing surveillance abuse, council again defers guidelines for a $15 million grant
Despite several hospitality industry professionals speaking before the council in support of the technology, surveillance cameras have long been met with ire from many Nashvillians after recent years’ debate over the Fusus surveillance network.
Roughly 20 people spoke during public comment in opposition to the cameras. Some opposed taking any grant money from the state due to its past tiffs with Metro — for example, the state is attempting to reduce the council’s size and has sought to assume control of the Metro Nashville Airport Authority.
Opponents of the cameras also cited concerns that the state could weaponize their use against marginalized communities, with some citing increased U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in Nashville and immigration crackdowns proposed by state legislators.
“It is a system to build infrastructure for what the state is purporting to do,” said At-Large Councilmember Zulfat Suara.
While approving the state grant to purchase of cameras was rejected, the council did OK use of the grant for the purchase of an armored rescue vehicle, mobile command post and tactical support post for the Metro Nashville Police Department.
Suara encouraged her fellow councilmembers, with no success, to vote down these uses of the grant funds, expressing concerns that the equipment could be used by ICE. Suara then read an NDP email noting that if the council rejected any of the purchases, NDP would work with the state on how or how not the money would be spent, with the organization's preference being either additional ambassadors or homelessness outreach.
In other business:
New zoning policies, proposed Buchanan Street regulations lead to contentious public hearing about fairness and displacement
The council deferred consideration of a proposed commercial compatibility overlay district along Buchanan Street in North Nashville, which has caused public outcry over potential gentrification of the area and displacement of current residents. The overlay would impose restrictions on businesses such as liquor stores, cigarette markets, nightclubs and auto shops. The bill’s sponsor, District 21 Councilmember Brandon Taylor, deferred a vote on the bill until March 3.
The council also deferred At-Large Councilmember Delishia Porterfield’s resolution condemning The Boring Company’s Music City Loop project. The resolution takes a stand against what some feel has been the company’s lack of transparency and Metro Council engagement surrounding the under-construction airport-to-downtown tunnel for Teslas. Safety and infrastructure concerns are also noted. The matter will be brought forth again at the council’s first meeting in February.
A voluntary housing incentive program was approved by the council — an effort that comes as a part of a group of Metro legislation seeking to address the city’s affordable housing crisis. The program is made possible via a 2024 state law and applies to multifamily developments, entitling the developer to designate portions of the property as attainable housing in exchange for incentives like height additions and reduced parking minimums.
The council also gave its final OK for a ground lease agreement with the Tennessee Performing Arts Center for its future East Bank venue.
