The State Building Commission on Sept. 11, 2025 approved a $22,520,000 project to build a visitor center, maintenance facility and park amenities at Middle Fork Bottom State Park.

Deputy Commissioner Grier Tidwell of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation described the project to the commission and asked for approval. "This project will construct a new visitor center, maintenance facility, boardwalk, boat ramp, trail bridges, utility infrastructure, amenities, and all required related work," Tidwell said. "This is a fiscal year 23, 24 line item in the capital budget with a cost of $22,520,000 with construction anticipated to begin in the spring of this next year. We request your approval, please."

The commission voted to adopt the item after a motion and second. Commissioners voiced no questions or objections during the discussion. The project was presented as funded through the FY 2023–24 capital budget line item cited by Tidwell.

The project scope presented includes a visitor center and maintenance facility, boardwalk, boat ramp, trail bridges, utility infrastructure and other park amenities. Construction was described as anticipated to begin in the spring following the meeting; no specific start date, contractor, or designer was specified in the presentation. The item as presented sought approval to proceed with project implementation as described.

The commission’s approval clears a step in the capital process; the presentation did not specify implementation milestones, on-site impacts, or a construction schedule beyond the general spring start timeframe. Questions about funding breakdowns, designer selection, or local permitting were not raised on the record during the discussion.