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TDEC: Davy Crockett Birthplace needs tens of millions more; Roan Mountain partially open
Summary
TDEC said Roan Mountain State Park is largely open but a TDOT bridge repair will not be completed until about November 2028; Davy Crockett Birthplace suffered major damage and TDEC estimates an $18.5M insurance/shortfall plus about $40M additional capital needed for the community's rebirth plan.
Deputy Commissioner Greer Tidwell told legislators that Roan Mountain State Park has reopened most facilities and that two of three campgrounds are fully open, but a damaged bridge remains a TDOT project scheduled for repair by November 2028. "Roan Mountain is wide open," Tidwell said, adding that two of three campgrounds are available and cabins have been reopened.
Tidwell described the damage at Davy Crockett Birthplace as severe: teams have kept programming active via outreach and interpretive trailers while planning and public engagement continue. He said hurricane recovery funds and insurance will not fully cover rebuilding: "dollars 27,000,000 were established in hurricane recovery funds. There's 16,000,000 expected from insurance. And that leaves about an $18,000,000 delta, to fully rebuild in the rebirth process," Tidwell said. He added that strategic planning suggests another roughly $40 million in capital will be needed to meet community expectations.
Committee members pressed about timelines and funding sources; Tidwell said a master plan and program plan are near publication and that design and construction will follow. Members asked about the state's maintenance commitments for properties acquired with Heritage Conservation Trust Fund dollars; TDEC described revenue-leverage strategies and in-lieu-of-tax arrangements to offset lost local tax revenue and said the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund has achieved near 2:1 leverage on property values.
The committee asked for continued updates as the master plan is published and design moves forward.
