Nashville’s historic Rock Block is once again under attack from a budget hotel developer who doesn’t want to play by the rules and doesn’t care about the character of the neighborhood.

For generations, the Rock Block on Elliston Place has been home to independent rock clubs like Exit/In and the End, locally owned retail shops like Smack clothing and beloved bars and eateries like Samurai Sushi.

A vital aspect of the Rock Block has been the historic brick apartment buildings that have provided students, artists and working-class people an affordable place to live. But, a Dickson County developer wants to demolish the apartments in order to build a Holiday Inn Express.

And, what’s more, the developer doesn’t want to play by the rules. He’s asking for a special exception to build fewer parking spots than the law requires. The parking variance will be considered at the March 19 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, and it’s time for supporters to make their voices heard. Such a special parking favor would be bad for the neighborhood, forcing hotel customers to steal parking spaces meant for the small, locally-owned businesses that made the Rock Block a desirable place to live and work.

Exit/In is one of the nation’s most iconic and beloved rock venues with artists like the Police, Etta James, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, and Jimmy Buffett having performed there.

Please sign the petition and submit a comment to let the BZA and Nashville’s leaders know that the Rock Block doesn’t need a budget hotel and the developer should not receive special favors for less parking.

Help us #SaveTheRockBlock!