Leaders break ground on new Greene Valley development

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Local and state stakeholders celebrated the groundbreaking of the new East Tennessee Regional Office complex and new Seating and Positioning Clinic on the former Greene Valley Developmental Center campus.

The Greene Valley campus has sat vacant since 2017 and had served as a mental rehabilitation center for many years.

After seven years, the buildings and design of part of the space will change completely.

“As we stand in the shadow of the buildings that represent our past, we’re breaking ground on some of the buildings in our future,” said Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Disability and Aging Cara Kumani.

Since the Greene Valley campus has been closed, the East Tennessee Regional Director, Terry Jordan-Henley, said a lot has changed and it shows in the design.

“It reflects our values,” Jordan-Henley said. “Our beliefs in inclusion, and collaboration, and working together. And helping people to live within their environments, their homes, their communities, in the best possible way.”

Jordan-Henley said the architects have worked to design the campus to be more accessible and better fit the needs of the community.

“They should be able to park and get from one part of the campus to the other on their own, without any human assistance,” said Jordan-Henley.

Once the project is complete, Jordan-Henley said the region will receive the same services provided in Nashville.

Local leaders have been pushing for movement at the Greene Valley campus.

“For the better part of a decade, we’ve been saying, ‘What’s next with Greene Valley?'” said state Rep. David Hawk (R-Greeneville). “And now we have the answer.”

With future plans for a Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) campus close by, leaders are excited about the services being provided and the boost in the economy.

“The investment, the financial investment is tremendous,” Hawk said. “What’s going to occur with jobs is tremendous.”

“Plus, [TCAT’s] going to train nurses which can walk across the street to this beautiful facility right here,” said Sen. Steve Southerland (R-Morristown). “So, you know, it’s the start of something great.”

People can expect to start seeing movement on the project as early as the next few weeks. Demolition and construction are scheduled to begin between the middle and end of July. The complex is set to be finished either in the summer or fall of 2026.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.