Donelson residents want answers from state about construction

DONELSON, Tenn. (WKRN) — Imagine waking up to the sound of a jackhammer. That’s what some folks in Donelson told News 2 they have been dealing with for weeks.

A new state office building is being built on Stewarts Ferry Pike. Residents, even a Metro council member, say the state has left them in the dark about the project. From questions about noise and inspection reports, they want answers.

For three years, Indira Dammu has loved where she lives. “I love living in Donelson. I love my home,” said Dammu.

But for the past three weeks, not so much. “I wake up every day at 6 a.m. to the sound of jackhammers.”

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Directly across the street from Dammu is the construction site. Dammu said it’s so loud, she often can’t work from home. “I’ve had to work in coffee shops. I’ve had to go to friends’ homes to take calls because the noise has been deafening.”

On Stewarts Ferry Pike, the state of Tennessee is building a new office for the Department of Disability and Aging. After construction started, Dammu said she received a notice that she can get an inspection. She did. But, she said that she’s being told that she can not keep that inspection report for her own records.

“They wouldn’t share the inspection report with us. They said, ‘Only if there’s damage to the home, we will call back and they will check the inspection report, and let us know if we are eligible for any damages,’ which doesn’t seem transparent at all.”

Metro Councilmember Jordan Huffman’s District 14 is in the construction zone.

“I didn’t have any notification from the state of Tennessee that this is coming down the pike,” said Huffman.

He said the state also left him in the dark about this project, forcing him to play catch-up deciphering out what the project means for his district. “Behind us is technically state property. They aren’t required to give us any notification, but that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t. And that’s really where the ball was dropped, in my opinion.”

News 2 asked what Huffman’s message to the state would be after not being clued in on the project. “Just give me a call,” he said.

Dammu said she’s fine with a newsletter or a meeting, she just wants more answers than questions moving forward. “We’re residents, we’re taxpayers, and we’re entitled to some information.”

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An hour before our story aired Tuesday afternoon, the Tennessee Department of General Services sent News 2 new details on the construction. Blasting for the project starts next week and lasts three weeks. Crews will blast every day Monday through Friday around 4 p.m. and possibly lunch as well. Five minutes before blasting, a horn will sound as a warning, and surrounding streets will close during blasting.

If homeowners would like a copy of the inspection survey, they can request it from the blasting company, and the state will pay that expense.

Once complete, this 121,000-square-foot building will be the new regional office for the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, providing new offices for administration, therapy, as well as a Seating and Positioning Clinic to help patients with mobility concerns.

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