NASHVILLE – The Tennessee State Building Board replaces $260 million at Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute in Chattanooga, despite no new locations set up to replace older locations on Native American historic sites. The facility has been approved.

The price of the project differs after several groups persuaded Governor Bill Lee to conduct an archaeological review of the state-owned land of Moccasin Bend, which has been operating since 1961. Regional purchases are included.

Almost three-quarters of the state’s property contains layers of historical materials such as Woodland-era pits and furnaces, and more intact features such as human remains and isolated burials. This indicates that it may be on the site. Reports show that the investigation shows a burial mound complex and an underground village there.

State Sen. Bo Watson, who works with the General Services and Mental Health and Drug Abuse Services Chair, Marie Williams, said he hopes the state’s Building Committee will approve the revised project. Ta.

“When we decided we couldn’t build on the historic moccasin bend site, we knew we would look at other sites that could require a reworked plan for our new mental health facility.” Watson said.

No final decisions have been made on the new mental health facility site. The state is believed to be looking at two sites, one of which is in Chattanooga. Knoxville could also be playing.

Native American groups, including the Eastern Cherokee Band and the Cherokee, passed a resolution in June 2024 calling for the preservation of sacred tribe sites, opposing the state’s first plan to rebuild at Mockacinbend. did. Their involvement likely influenced the state’s decision not to build on the old moccasin bend sites.

“It was a coup de Grace,” said Chattanooga resident Frank Robbins.

The state’s building committee appeared ready to proceed with a reconstruction at the Moccasin Bend Site in September 2023. At the time, the Tennessee Historical Commission discovered that demolition or disposal of the facility would have a negative effect on the property, and encouraged the state to find other options.

Supporters of the new site argued that when the 2003 law created the Moccasin Bend National Archaeological District, there was an oral commitment to the National Park Service and Native American tribes. Used as a national park. The area was declared a national historic landmark in 1986.

This process was complicated by the moccasin bend golf club, shooting range, wastewater treatment, and private property held there.