NASHVILLE, Tenn. – With the stroke of his pen, Mayor Freddie O’Connell today signed pivotal Metro Council-approved legislation that will guide the transformation of the 47-acre East Bank scrapyard site into a premiere Nashville urban neighborhood. The legislation, which was unanimously approved by the Metro Planning Commission and the Metro Council, incorporates The East Bend development site into the Downtown Code, marking a generational milestone in the reclamation of Nashville’s riverfront.
The legislation reflects years of collaboration between public and private partners to advance the shared vision outlined in NashvilleNext, the Plan of Nashville, and Imagine East Bank.
"This is a defining moment for Nashville's East Bank and for our city's future," said Mayor O'Connell. "Nashville has been dreaming for decades of something more than a riverfront scrapyard. Today, I’m proud this city knows that dream can become a reality.”
The rezoning establishes the regulatory framework for a new mixed-use district centered on walkability, access to the Cumberland River, and a strong emphasis on urban neighborhood-serving amenities. The site, which has operated as an industrial scrapyard for more than 60 years, has long been viewed as the most important redevelopment opportunities in Nashville.
After decades of stalled efforts, the property was acquired in 2025 by TEB LLC, a local investment group backed by more than 50 Nashville-based investors.
“We need a district where families with children of all ages and those seeking a different alternative in entertainment and living can thrive. For more than 70 years, this site has stood apart from the progress happening around it, and for just as long, Nashvillians have believed in what it could be, someday,” said David Byerley, Chairman and CEO of ARRT Global, the organizer of TEB, LLC. “Today represents a major step toward delivering on that shared vision. We are committed to creating a vibrant, welcoming neighborhood where families feel a true sense of belonging, anchored by meaningful community assets like a future children’s museum and designed with intention at every step.”
Sam Lingo, Managing Partner at ARRT Global, emphasized the local commitment behind the project and the significance of reaching this milestone.
“This has been the result of thousands of hours of thoughtful collaboration, and we are grateful to the Mayor, Metro Council, and Planning Commission for their leadership,” said Lingo. “With strong local backing, we are now positioned to move forward with a project that reflects Nashville’s character and creates lasting value for generations.”
District 19 Metro Councilmember Jacob Kupin noted the broader significance of the vote for the city’s future.
“This is a generational opportunity to create a neighborhood for Nashvillians, reconnect to the riverfront and create something truly unique” said Councilmember Kupin. “I am appreciative of our planning department, my colleagues, the development team and countless others who lent their time and voices to this effort, including the many members of the public who shaped this project for generations to come. The East Bend will be an urban neighborhood designed for residents, families, and everyday life.”
The approval represents a major step forward in the broader East Bank transformation, where significant infrastructure investments and planning efforts are underway to support long-term growth and connectivity across the river.
“Today marks the first step in a new future for this important site,” said Lucy Kempf, Executive Director of Metro Nashville Planning Department. “Nashvillians made it clear through the Imagine East Bank plan their hopes and expectations for how this area should evolve. I look forward to seeing this site meet its potential as a more livable and connected part of our city.”
"The vision for the East Bank is about transforming potential into opportunity,” said Ben York, CEO of East Bank Development Authority. “Bringing The East Bend into the Downtown Code will allow its owners and their development partners to do exactly that. The East Bank Development Authority thanks the many partners who have come together to bring new life to this area. Our team is eager to help the development team move forward now that this local legislation has been approved."
Early plans for The East Bend include a mix of residential offerings, neighborhood retail, public green space, and cultural amenities and entertainment. Project leaders confirm they are already in advanced discussions with several community-focused uses, including what would be Nashville’s first dedicated children’s museum.
With the rezoning complete, the project will now move into detailed planning, design, and continued community engagement. Developers are in talks with many end users and co-developers about curating this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“For decades, Nashvillians have said that someday this site would be transformed,” Byerley added. “Today, that someday has arrived, and the real work begins.”
Stay up to date on future East Bend updates at: theeastbend.com.
ABOUT THE EAST BEND
The East Bend is a visionary, family-centric urban neighborhood planned for 47 acres along Nashville’s East Bank, transforming a long-standing industrial riverfront site into a vibrant, mixed-use district in the heart of downtown. Owned by TEB LLC, a locally led investment group backed by more than 50 Nashville-based investors, The East Bend is designed to deliver a new kind of neighborhood for the city, one where families, residents, and visitors can live, connect, and belong.
Guided by the principles of NashvilleNext and the Imagine East Bank vision, The East Bend will feature a dynamic mix of residential options, neighborhood-serving retail, public green space, entertainment, and cultural and civic amenities. Plans prioritize a human-scaled riverfront, walkability, and meaningful access to the Cumberland River, with an emphasis on uses that serve Nashvillians first.
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