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Nonprofit leader says Scarborough 85 Monument faces rising costs, announces Sept. 3 groundbreaking
Summary
Aaron Wells told the Anderson County budget committee the Scarborough 85 Monument project has jumped from about $3.2 million to roughly $4.6 million; he thanked county support and said a major private donor helped secure a Sept. 3 groundbreaking.
Aaron Wells, speaking during the budget committee's public-hearing period, said construction costs for the Scarborough 85 Monument have risen sharply and confirmed the project will break ground in September.
"Our original construction costs a few years ago of 3,200,000 have jumped way up. We're looking at roughly 4,600,000 to get this project done," Wells said, adding that the project had secured a $1.5 million private contribution. Wells thanked Anderson County for an earlier $125,000 match and said the City of Oak Ridge provided a similar match. He also noted state funding previously exceeded $3.1 million.
Wells told the committee that the nonprofit has reserve capital in place and will begin construction on Sept. 3. He framed the site as part of a broader civil-rights trail and urged continued local support for the project.
The comment came during the committee's public-hearing time for the FY2026'27 proposed budget; there was no committee vote attached to the public comment.
