NASHVILLE, Tenn (WZTV) — Neighbors in North Nashville and even across the Cumberland River say they can hear a cement plant near Germantown for hours at a time, creating a disturbance that has grown over the past year.
The Buzzi Unicem Cement Plant, which has operated along the river for more than 100 years, has long been part of the community. But residents say the loud noise, caused by air moving dry cement through pipes from barges into the facility, has become noticeable since last spring.
“It sounds like you have a low-flying news helicopter directly over your house pretty much the entire time that the plant is running,” said Brian Newman, a neighbor who has lived about six blocks away for 18 years.
The Buzzi Unicem Cement Plant (Photo: FOX 17 News)
Newman said the plant can run anywhere from eight to 18–20 hours once it starts, shaking homes and making the “buzzing” audible inside residences. Complaints have come from multiple parts of the city, including across the river near the East Bank.
Residents have reached out to the company and city officials, including Council Member Jacob Kupin, asking for solutions.
“Some sort of noise mitigation or encapsulation of that area seems to be the most direct way to a solution,” suggested Newman.
A Buzzi Unicem representative responded to FOX17’s inquiry, writing that recent development in the area, including the removal of trees and structures, has made the sound more prominent. The spokesperson said no equipment or processes have changed. Buzzi Unicem has agreed to meet with Council Member Kupin next week to discuss the issue.
“See if there’s a reasonable solution to go back to the hundred years of coexistence that the neighbors had with that plant,” Newman added.
Council member Kupin sent FOX17 a statement, “In District 19, balancing the quality of life and business operations is a delicate dance. After years of attempting to address noise at Buzzi Unicem’s cement distribution terminal, I appreciate the company’s willingness to meet to discuss their operations and the neighborhood’s concerns. I look forward to this productive meeting and I hope to have good news to report to the community in the coming weeks.”
