News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Fentress County has accepted $83,000 for the sale of the South Fentress Convenience Center.
County Executive Jimmy Johnson said TDOT purchased the property for the future Highway 127 widening project.
“It was close to an acre, but there have been some more businesses in that area that have already sold to the state,” Johnson said. “If you drive between Clarkrange and Crossville, you’ll see empty houses and buildings sitting there and waiting for demolition. It’s going to come if we could just keep their (TDOT) feet to the fire. Hopefully we can start getting bids out for it after the first of the year.”
The state has set 2021 as the start date for construction. TDOT plans to widen Highway 127 from Cumberland County’s Lowe Road to just north of State Route 62 near Clarkrange in Fentress County.
The state originally planned to begin the project this year.
Fentress County Commission voted to accept the $83,000 during this week’s meeting. Johnson said the convenience center will eventually be relocated.
“We’re hoping to keep it within a small radius of the current location,” Johnson said. “If you start moving it North, that means people to the East or West are going to have to drive an extra two or three miles. We’re going to keep it as close to the Highway 62 intersection as we can.”
TDOT also purchased a fire hall that sat adjacent to the convenience center. Johnson said the county relocated the fire hall several months ago.
