Tennessee’s State Building Commission delayed a vote after a 3-3 split over a faster master-developer search for state-owned lots near Nashville’s Capitol. The proposal would waive legislative disclosure and use a qualifications request instead of a request for proposals.
The proposed mixed-use project would combine housing, a hotel, retail space and parking for state employees. One lot sits above the first stretch of Elon Musk’s Boring Company tunnel for Tesla vehicles. The land would remain state-owned and be leased to the master developer.
The commission delayed another vote to give members more time to review the proposal. State law requires the Department of General Services to present public-private partnership plans during the budget cycle; lawmakers typically approve them each April, but the department submitted nothing in the 2026 session. Sen. Heidi Campbell said she does not oppose redevelopment but questioned waiving disclosure. Spokesperson Michelle Parks said the request for qualifications (RFQ) helps identify developers with the experience and financial capacity for the long-term project. The RFQ would give the department more discretion in choosing a developer.
