Meigs County to seek new site for 10-mile convenience center after TVA lease limitations

The mayor told the commission that the Tennessee Valley Authority owns the parcel where the 10-mile convenience center sits and that the county does not have a formal lease; instead the county’s use was defined by a 1982 agreement that can be cancelled with 30 days’ written notice.

"TVA owns the property that the 10 miles center is located on. We uh we don't have a lease," the mayor said. County staff reported TVA would not sell or lease the parcel but would consider site modifications, such as removing fencing, which would require county investment.

Because the committee felt it would be unwise to invest in improvements on land the county does not own, commissioners discussed relocating the convenience center to county-owned property. Bill England and other commissioners discussed a county-owned frontage area on Highway 58 as one possible alternative but raised concerns about encroaching on a walking trail, the ball-field infield and an area used for helicopter landings by emergency services.

Commissioners asked district members to review potential sites and suggested placing the topic on next month’s agenda for further consideration. No formal action to abandon or alter the existing site was taken at the meeting.