Tennessee Officials Approve Plan to Seek Master Developer for Capitol-Adjacent Lots, Including Boring Tunnel Site
Tennessee state officials have approved a waiver to proceed with finding a master developer for approximately 10 acres of parking lots located near the State Capitol in downtown Nashville. This decision, made by the Tennessee State Building Commission, allows the Department of General Services to bypass its standard disclosure process and solicit bids for a master developer. The lots include the site where Elon Musk’s Boring Company is constructing the initial phase of an underground tunnel intended to connect parts of downtown Nashville to the airport using Tesla vehicles. The state aims to transform these parking lots into a mixed-use development featuring housing, hotels, and retail spaces. Additionally, the selected developer will be granted an option to redevelop the James K. Polk building, which currently houses the Tennessee Performing Arts Centers, and construct a new garage for state employees. The agreement will be structured as a land lease, ensuring the state retains ownership of the land. Gove...