Who Will Mow The Lawn On Music City Center’s Roof? No One

The Music City Center’s green roof is supposed to absorb rainwater and reduce the overall runoff. Credit: Stephen Jerkins

One of the Music City Center’s most iconic features is a green roof that can be seen from the nearby Interstate. It’s part form and part function.

Architects designed the roofline to mimic the rolling hills of Tennessee. It also absorbs heat in the summer and acts as good insulation when it’s cold. The sustainability element will help the building achieve a certification with the U.S. Green Building Council.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean gave tours to dozens of journalists ahead of the grand opening this weekend. He was asked who would keep the four acres mowed. He responded with a joke.

“I think we’ll get some goats or something,” Dean said. “I don’t know. Right now it’s not a problem.”

If all goes to plan, the green roof shouldn’t need mowing. It’s made of 14 types of vegetation, including sedum, which is in the aloe vera family. It will need watering in the hottest part of the summer but not much maintenance otherwise.

There are 14 types of vegetation on the roof, which are intended to require very little maintenance. Credit: Stephen Jerkins

Music City Center’s roof may appear to be a lush lawn from far away, but close up it looks like a mess of weeds. The green roof won’t have many close-ups anyway. It will be closed to the public once the building opens.

Dean said he’s just glad the roof is green after the winter months.

“It was brown,” he said. “It turned green. I was very happy.”