<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1cO2zM_0vkdtvrT00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1cO2zM_0vkdtvrT00" width="1500" height="844" >CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — TheState of Tennessee will no longer move forward with plans to build a new psychiatric hospital on state-owned land at Moccasin Bend in Chattanooga, Governor Bill Lee announced Thursday.Tennessee lawmakers approved a plan last summer to build a new Moccasin Bend Mental Health institute at the same location where it is now.But the governor's office says they decided not to move forward based on initial findings of an ongoing archeological review.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2FCMAC_0vkdtvrT00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2FCMAC_0vkdtvrT00" width="648" height="365" ><figcaption>NewsChannel 9 SkyView file photo.</figcaption></figure>Just north of the facility is one of the prized archaeological sites in Tennessee, which contains evidence of human habitation that goes back 12,000 years.This is the first archeological review that has been conducted since the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute was founded in 1961 and the State expects the final report to be delivered in November. The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) and Department of General Services (DGS) oversaw the survey on behalf of the State Building Commission.<blockquote>“Tennessee’s robust conservation strategy balances our state’s growth with a plan to protect our environment, which is why we pursued an archeological study at Moccasin Bend,” says Gov. Lee. “I look forward to working with stakeholders to determine the best path forward for this historic site.”</blockquote>Key findings from the review include:<ul><li>73% of the state-owned parcel at MBMHI is comprised of a multi-component archaeological site containing buried layers of historic and pre-contact materials, occupation surfaces, and features (pits, hearth materials, etc.).</li><li>The presence of Woodland period features (pits and occupation surfaces) indicates that there are likely more intact features within the site, some of which may still contain human remains or isolated burials. No human remains or burials were found during the survey.</li><li>Areas within the parcel exhibit excellent preservation and integrity</li></ul>Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp released a statement on the governor's decision, saying...<blockquote>“Governor Lee has made a historic decision to preserve Moccasin Bend that will define his legacy in Hamilton County. I’m incredibly grateful to the Lee administration and Commissioner Marie Williams for their good faith leadership in evaluating the future of Moccasin Bend. This decision is in many ways the culmination of decades of determined advocacy by countless local leaders, including my father, that we honor the extraordinary history of Moccasin Bend. I spoke to Commissioner Williams this morning and pledged my full support in helping the state identify a new location for the state’s mental health hospital.”</blockquote>Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly also released a statement, saying...<blockquote>“We are incredibly grateful to Governor Lee for making this historic decision that will be applauded for years by our children and our children’s children. We are especially thankful that the early conversations we initiated about relocating the state hospital have played out just as we had hoped. At long last, after decades of deferral and delay, we now have the opportunity to truly preserve this nationally historic land as a park for every Chattanoogan to enjoy, connecting our community to the natural beauty and rich history of Moccasin Bend forever.”</blockquote>Several groups have pushed for this decision, saying thatthere is too much history in that spot, and it is a National Historic Landmark.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4AnBsP_0vkdtvrT00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4AnBsP_0vkdtvrT00" width="648" height="364" ><figcaption>NewsChannel 9 SkyView file photo.</figcaption></figure>Back in April, advocates met to discuss alternatives or new locations for the facility.The state has determined that it will pursue alternative locations for the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute (MBMHI) replacement facility.</div></body>

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Tennessee halts new psychiatric hospital at Moccasin Bend following archeological review

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — TheState of Tennessee will no longer move forward with plans to build a new psychiatric hospital on state-owned land at Moccasin Bend in Chattanooga, Governor Bill Lee announced Thursday. Tennessee lawmakers approved a plan last summer to build a new Moccasin Bend Mental Health institute at...