Sevier County approves sale of former armory parcel to Sevier Solid Waste Inc.

The Sevier County Commission on June 30, 2025 approved a resolution allowing the county mayor to dispose of Parcel 083 115.03 (a former armory near Ridge Road) via quitclaim deed to Sevier Solid Waste Inc., authorizing the county to transfer ownership for use as a future solid-waste transfer station.

Senior Director of Community Planning and Development/Government Services Matt Rudder told the commission the county and the City of Pigeon Forge acquired the property from the Tennessee Department of Military and that Sevier Solid Waste Inc. provided the funds to purchase it. Rudder said an earlier figure of about $1,930,000 had been set for the property, but after working with the state appraiser the final purchase price came to $1,263,755.

Commissioner Bryan Delius asked whether the existing armory structures would be reutilized. Rudder said Executive Director Tom Leonard and engineering staff are working to obtain the state building plans so the county and the solid-waste operator can evaluate reuse; he described plans for drivers to use existing scales and route materials to either the demo landfill or the compost plant, which he said could yield long-term cost savings.

The motion to approve the disposal was made by Commissioner Carroll Rauhuff and seconded by Commissioner S. Catlett; the roll-call vote was 21 Yes, 0 No, 4 Absent. Chairman Larry Waters and staff noted the transfer follows coordination with the City of Pigeon Forge, which approved a similar transfer on its side, and that the quitclaim deed process will be used to effect the conveyance.

County officials described the transfer as a long-term planning action rather than immediate construction; details about a construction timetable, exact reuse scope, and any required state approvals were not specified at the meeting. The resolution passed; the next procedural steps are execution of the deed and follow-up planning by Sevier Solid Waste Inc. and county staff.