Tennessee halts new psychiatric hospital at Moccasin Bend

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Moccasin Bend’s plans for a new facility to replace the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute (MBMHI) have been halted as Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has announced the state will not build on the land.

This decision comes after an archeological review that was conducted on the state-owned portion of the land.

It was found that 73% of the state-owned MBMHI site contained resources that show Native American life and culture from layers of historic and pre-contact materials.

The site has areas that showcase strong preservation and integrity.

Local nonprofit National Park Partners have been advocating to keep developments off the land to preserve this history.

Full findings of the extent of the study are planned to be released next month.

The state will continue to be in search of a location that better fits the roughly $250 million development.