News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The state continues to face challenges during it’s search for a location to build an Upper Cumberland State Veterans Cemetery.
Finding property within the market value poses the biggest challenge, according to Department of Veterans Services Assistant Commissioner Travis Murphy.
“We’ve had some conversations with landowners, and there are some expectations that are certainly higher than where the market in the region is,” Murphy said. “We continue working to find a suitable piece of land that’s consistent with the market and ensures we are using taxpayer dollars wisely.”
Murphy said the dollar value of land depends on location. He estimated $10,000 an acre or more in the Cookeville area and anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000 in places further away.
“That’s kind of the ballpark that we are looking in. Frankly, it’s been a little bit of a challenge because people understand how much money we have available,” Murphy said. “Just because we have it available doesn’t mean we need to spend all that on land acquisition. We are bound to only pay market rate and the state’s not going to pay beyond that.”
The state has already appropriated $600,000 for the purpose of purchasing 70-100 acres. The Upper Cumberland State Veterans Cemetery Association (UCSVCA) has raised an additional $202,445.
Cumberland County UCSVCA member Shawn Brunelle said it’s a frustrating situation because the association has no say in the matter.
“I want a spot to put this thing. It’s like the government just keeps on spinning it’s wheels,” Brunelle said. “It’s aggravating for us because, if we do pass away and want to be buried in a veterans cemetery, we’ve got to go to Knoxville, Chattanooga, or Nashville. That’s too far for most of our families to drive.”
The state hopes to have the property purchased by July.
