The East Bank Development Authority (The Authority) shared updates regarding the relocation of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center TPAC, from Downtown to its landmark location on the East Bank. The update, which was part of the Authority’s monthly meeting, included new renderings, a proposed timeline, and preliminary activities that must take place prior to construction mobilization. The meeting also identified both planned and unexpected schedule constraints, including temporary measures as the new neighborhood starts to take shape.
The new TPAC will be located at Parcel E2 with frontage along the Cumberland River. The new 370,000 SF performing arts facility will include performance halls as well as offices for TPAC. It is bordered by East Bank Blvd, Victory Avenue, Davidson Street, and Music City Mile.
Shown for context only.
Prior to the construction of the new Nissan Stadium, the East Bank didn’t have infrastructure in place to support the multiple development projects such as wastewater treatment. A major coordination effort is currently underway as The Fallon Company moves closer to starting construction, the coordination of people to the new Nissan Stadium while demolition of the old stadium takes places, the buildout of East Bank Blvd, and an earlier than planned emergence of East Bend (the former scrapyard site).
The Authority is tasked with looking into possible efficiencies during the design & permitting stages; as they coordinate with multiple agencies, firms, and groups throughout this process.
Preliminary Schedule
TPAC Shown in Parcel E. Music City Mile Between Parcels E&F
Shown for context only.
The design of Music City Mile (the pedestrian bridge) will take place through the end of 2026 with construction planned for the first part of 2027. Considerations during this time includes:
- Phasing opportunities which allow for use during construction.
- Temporary measures that allow use of the bridge during construction for commuters and on event days.
- Coordination with TPAC Design
- Potential opportunities for compressed review and decision-making timeframes for agencies.
The site work for TPAC and the design of East Bank Blvd (EBB) is slated to begin the first half of 2027. The Authority noted that the contractor AECOM is currently paused on the EBB design. They are working to ratify decision-making with Metro on the new road network based off what the data tells them will be required. The Authority also noted that EBB decisions will not impact the construction of TPAC.
Separately from EBB is the Piedmont Gas main which runs through the TPAC site. The gas main has to be relocated and operational prior to construction. The Authority also has to consider the East Bend site in its gas main coordination. This was planned as a later phase initially, however, given the movement of the former scrapyard site, it must now be considered in early planning.
Before any of this can start, Metro has to coordinate a section .230 public meeting to discuss the dissemination of public land within Davidson County. Section 2.24.230 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws for Nashville and Davidson County places specific conditions on the leasing of Metro-owned property to private entities, particularly concerning high-value leases and the requirement for public input. The Section .230 meeting took place on December 4th. The Authority plans to add that item to the next meeting agenda, which will subsequently have three readings through Metro Council.
The State of Tennessee granted $500 million towards a new TPAC facility contingent on TPAC raising matching dollars from the private sector and Metro Nashville participating in the project based on the Metro-owned East Bank site and related infrastructure needs. Last month (November 2025) Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell announced that it came to an agreement with TPAC which includes sharing infrastructure costs with Metro as well as giving Metro access to use the facility 30 days annually for educational opportunities and other programming.
The performing arts non-profit administers one of the largest and most comprehensive arts education programs in the United States, serving students in 74 Tennessee counties.
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