A Sculpture Fields at Montague Park supporter says he’s worried that a proposal for new athletic facilities at the park could stir up environmental issues at the former landfill.
“For them to do this construction could cost a lot more money than they think and create more of an adverse impact than anyone realizes,” said Warren Barnett, a Sculpture Fields board member. “There’s no current environmental issue with the 13 acres so long as the three-foot soil cap is not disturbed.”
But a city official said the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) believes the park can be a safe location for recreational and leisure activity.
Whatever goes on the 13-acre tract, the tenant would be legally bound to contact TDEC to ensure that a soil management plan is in place that’s in accordance with state requirements as improvements are made, said Jermaine Freeman, interim administrator for the city’s Department of Economic Development.
“The city will defer to TDEC for guidance on this matter, as we do with all sites of this nature,” he said.