After extensive planning, Garth Brooks is gearing up for the official grand opening of his Friends in Low Places bar on Thursday, March 7. In addition to this exciting venture, Brooks has unveiled a long-anticipated project—a brand-new police substation, marking a significant milestone in his downtown Nashville endeavors.
The concept for the police substation originated when Garth Brooks initiated the construction of Friends In Low Places and recognized the potential to repurpose an old alley adjacent to the renowned Ernest Tubb Record Shop. Seeking approval from the city of Nashville, Brooks proposed transforming the alley into a dedicated police substation.
Reflecting on the initiative, Brooks explained, “We approached the City and said, ‘Hey, look, can we do something like, give us that alley, we’ll build you a police substation.’ Because I hear that’s where they park their horses on the mounted police. That’s where the whole police thought came in,” shared Brooks during a press briefing in November 2023.
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At that time, downtown Nashville lacked a convenient location for police officers. Brooks envisioned the substation as a strategic home base on Broadway, providing a secure space for police vehicles and a back alley for parking, ensuring full protection. The substation even features a balcony offering a commanding view of both ends of Broadway.
The decision to incorporate a police substation into Friends In Low Places was deeply influenced by Brooks’ personal connection to law enforcement—his brother served in the field for 31 years. Adding a heartfelt touch to the project, Brooks’ wife and fellow country star, Trisha Yearwood, played a key role in funding the development.
On March 4, Nashville Police Chief John Drake officially inaugurated the new substation, illuminating its distinctive blue “POLICE” sign for the first time. Chief Drake expressed his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the importance of having a dedicated space for the Entertainment District Unit to operate efficiently and independently.
“We try to ensure that we have enough officers down here to keep downtown safe,” said Chief Drake. “And so we created an Entertainment District Unit, and it needed a place to be able to operate, a place they could call their own and not go to Central Precinct. They could have a substation that’s all theirs.”
The chief concluded by expressing his excitement for this historic moment, marking the realization of Garth Brooks’ vision for a fully operational police substation in the heart of downtown Nashville.
Watch Chief Drake talk more and see him turn on the blue POLICE sign in the video below.
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