Fisk University Innovation & Technology Center (data center)
Also called: Quantum Leap data center
Fisk University, a historically Black university in North Nashville, wants to build a 100,000-square-foot building with a 30-megawatt data center and classroom space. Fisk says it would be LEED certified and would not raise neighbors' power bills. Some students and neighbors oppose it.
Where things stand: Announced in May 2026 as part of Fisk's campus master plan. Still needs Metro Planning Commission approval; Fisk is looking for a data center partner.
🕒 Latest update (June 2026): Two online petitions started against the Fisk data center.
What we know
- 📍 WhereFive empty acres on Fisk's south campus along Herman Street, between DB Todd Jr. Blvd. and 17th Ave. N., Nashville-Davidson Metro, Davidson County
- 🏢 CompanyFisk University
- 👤 Built forunknown (Fisk is looking for a partner)
- 🌳 Size5 acres
- ⚡ Power it needs30 megawatts (about as much as 24,000 homes)
- 💵 Cost$400 million
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Which company will run or lease the Fisk data center? 🙋 I'll find out
- How much water would it use? 🙋 I'll find out
- When will the Metro Planning Commission hear it? 🙋 I'll find out
- Does Nashville's new data center rule and pause apply to the Fisk project? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- May 2026Fisk University announced a 100,000-square-foot Innovation & Technology Center with a 70,000-square-foot data center as part of its 'Quantum Leap' campus plan.
- June 2026Two online petitions started against the Fisk data center.
Local votes and rules
⚖️ Court case
DC Blox sued Metro Nashville in federal court. The company says its permits were already approved (vested) before the data center pause, and that Metro unfairly targeted its project near the Nashville Zoo. Metro says it acted lawfully and will defend the case.
📌 Other
Metro Council voted 27-5 to let Metro buy, or take by eminent domain, the 23.49-acre DC Blox data center site next to the Nashville Zoo. Metro must first get an appraisal and is not required to buy. If the two sides cannot agree on a price, a judge decides.
📜 Data center rules
Metro Council passed Nashville's first data center zoning rules and a pause on new data center permits until December 1, 2026. The rules ban the biggest data centers (over 500,000 square feet), keep data centers in heavy industrial zones, add buffer zones near homes, schools, parks and zoos, and ban on-site gas turbines.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- What to know about the data center planned for Nashville HBCU Fisk University's campus · WSMV · June 8, 2026
- Two petitions emerge opposing Fisk University's proposed data center · WKRN · June 2026
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