NASHVILLE — Tennessee’s State Building Commission approved a $260 million replacement facility for Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute in Chattanooga, even though no new location is set to replace the old location on a Native American historical site.
The project price includes the purchase of a different tract after several groups persuaded Gov. Bill Lee to conduct an archeological review of the state-owned land in Moccasin Bend where the hospital has been operating since 1961.
Nearly three-fourths of the state property contains layers of historic materials such as pits and hearths from the Woodland period, indicating more intact features could be within the archeological site, such as human remains and isolated burials. Surveys have shown burial mound complexes and subterranean villages there, according to reports.
(READ MORE: Gov. Lee: No new mental health hospital on Moccasin Bend)
State Sen. Bo Watson, who has been working with the Department of General Services and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Marie Williams, said he expected the State Building Commission to approve the revised project.