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State Building Commission approves $39.02 million for two state park projects
Summary
The State Building Commission approved early-design and designer-selection steps for Middle Fork Bottom State Park ($22.52M, FY23–24) and Drive Branch State Park ($16.5M, FY25–26), including a plan to use off-grid utilities at Drive Branch.
The State Building Commission on Sept. 11, 2025 approved early-design and designer-selection steps for two Tennessee state-park construction projects totaling $39,020,000.
Deputy Commissioner Tidwell of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation told the commission that the first project, for Middle Fork Bottom State Park, seeks approval of the early design phase as recommended by the state architect. “This project will construct the new visitor center, maintenance facility, boardwalk, boat ramp, trail bridges, utility infrastructure, amenities, and all required related work,” Tidwell said, and described the project as a fiscal year 23–24 capital budget item with a cost of $22,520,000, with construction anticipated to begin in spring of the following year.
Tidwell also described the Drive Branch State Park item, asking the commission to proceed with the process to select a designer for a ranger contact station and maintenance facility. “These new facilities will actually rely on off grid methods to provide utilities, including but not limited to solar and generator power, battery storage, water wells, and on-site wastewater disposal,” Tidwell said. The Drive Branch project was presented as a fiscal year 25–26 capital line item with a cost of $16,500,000.
A member moved approval of the Middle Fork Bottom early design recommendation and of the Drive Branch designer-selection process; the motions were seconded and each was adopted by voice vote. The transcript records commissioners saying “Aye” and the chair declaring the items adopted; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript.
Speaker Sexton briefly commented after the Drive Branch presentation, thanking DEC staff and noting an outstanding request for information related to a proposed boutique hotel at the park. “I believe y’all put out a RFI for coming out in State Park recently for a boutique hotel at the park,” Speaker Sexton said, and thanked staff for the work.
Next steps announced in the meeting record: Middle Fork Bottom’s construction is anticipated to begin in spring following the early-design approval; Drive Branch will move to the designer selection process as requested to pursue development with off-grid utilities.
