During a recent government meeting, public comment was opened with remarks from Albert Bender, a Cherokee community activist and retired attorney. Bender expressed his eagerness to hear from Bob Mendez regarding the East Bank development, emphasizing the need for indigenous representation on the East Bank Authority. He highlighted the historical significance of the area, which sits atop the remains of a large indigenous city that existed over a millennium ago.

Following Bender's comments, the meeting transitioned to old business, where the board approved two dedicated conservation greenway easements aimed at preserving open space and expanding the Cumberland River Greenway network. The first easement, covering 0.37 acres at Pennington Bend Road, and the second, covering 1.86 acres at Maxwell Road, were both recommended for approval by the acquisition committee.

The consent agenda included a late addition for the Tennessee Beer and Wine Festival scheduled for October 19, 2024, which received unanimous approval. Additionally, the board approved a request for a USTA Tennis Hosting Grant of $900 to support community events and a charity pickleball tournament organized by Vanderbilt Sigma Nu and Kappa Gamma for Special Olympics Tennessee.

In a special presentation, Bob Mendez, Chief Development Officer for Mayor Freddie O'Connell, provided an update on the East Bank development. He outlined the challenges and opportunities of the 550-acre area, which currently has no permanent residents. Mendez emphasized the importance of maintaining the floodplain's water storage capacity during development and highlighted the need for phased construction, particularly regarding green spaces and stormwater management.

Mendez noted that the East Bank project is unprecedented in scale, with two major Metro-owned projects adjacent to each other, including a $2.1 billion football stadium. He stressed the necessity of integrating residential units to create a neighborhood rather than a tourism district, as well as the importance of conducting phase 1 archaeological work to respect the area's historical significance.

The presentation concluded with Mendez acknowledging the complexities of the project, including the need to address existing oil facilities and CSX tracks, which pose additional challenges to realizing the envisioned green spaces along the waterfront. The meeting underscored the ongoing efforts to engage the community and ensure that development respects both the environment and the historical context of the East Bank.