Topgolf cleared to build on Nashville's East Bank

Topgolf International Inc. is now cleared to build and open one of its next driving ranges and entertainment complexes on Nashville's East Bank.

Metro council gave unanimous final approval Tuesday to rezone 22.7 acres on Cowan Street, situated in an industrial area northeast of downtown, where the trendy golf outfit is planning a new facility.

A groundbreaking is expected this summer, with an opening by the end of summer 2016.

The plan, which company officials first discussed an interest in pursuing in January, calls for a 65,000-square-foot building, three-level driving range, 102 hitting bays and entertainment space. It's all centered on a trademark bull's-eye-like driving range concept.

The company uses microchips in its golf balls that have ability to read where the balls land. Each golf shot is scored based on accuracy, similar to bowling and electronic darts.

Councilman Scott Davis, whose District 5 includes the new facility, said the roughly 450 jobs that would results from the new Topgolf facility would be a boon to his neighborhoods.

The Nashville facility is part of an aggressive expansion push for Topgolf that included opening up to seven new U.S. locations over the past year, with plans to add 12 to 15 a year over the next three to four years. Topgolf has 16 facilities worldwide.

Reach Joey Garrison at 615-258-8236 and on Twitter at @joeygarrison.