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Project Title: Construct Headquarters and Visitor Center (FFS #R4AF)
State: Tennessee
Project Description: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will build a new visitor center and headquarters at Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge. A $4.7 million contract was awarded to Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure to design and build the center, using American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funds. Further contracts will also be awarded in the future. Construction will begin in 2010. The new center will include an exhibit hall, auditorium, observation deck, and a classroom for environmental education programs.
“This project is important for the citizens of Paris and the surrounding communities, which comprise one of the most popular retirement destinations in the United States,” said Sam Hamilton, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“I think the entire community benefits from this great addition to a truly remarkable refuge,” said John Taylor, Refuge Manager. “Our present rental office is 10 miles from the nearest refuge unit, has no interpretive exhibits or facilities for environmental education and does not allow our refuge staff to adequately direct visitors to refuge facilities or attractions.”
“This exciting new center will enable John and his team to tell the refuge wildlife story in a more effective and compelling way,” said Cindy Dohner, Acting Regional Director for U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Southeast Region. “Once it’s completed, the center will become an important part of the region’s economy and our effort to connect people with nature.”
The proposed site is central to the refuge’s four widely separated units, which encompass 59,700 acres in five counties. It will provide more efficient deployment for law enforcement, biological, and maintenance personnel to better accomplish the refuge’s mission and safeguard the public and refuge resources. About 400,000 people come to Tennessee NWR each year for hunting, fishing, bird watching, and other recreation. The new visitor center is expected to boost the local economy by increasing tourism and related economic activity.
With more than 50,000 acres of water, forests, farmland and grasslands, the refuge is located on and around Kentucky Lake in northwest Tennessee. The refuge’s three units, Big Sandy, Duck River, and Busseltown, stretch for 65 miles along the Tennessee River. Established in 1945 by President Harry S. Truman, the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
On the web: http://www.fws.gov/tennesseerefuge/
Watch the video from the Tennessee NWR site dedication!
Photos:
 USFWS Director Sam Hamilton spoke about Teddy Roosevelt and the value of public land at the site dedication for Tennessee NWR’s new visitor center and headquarters, which will be built with Recovery Act funds next year. |
 A sign now marks the spot where the new center will be built. From left, Eric McLauren, VP of Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure Group; Sam Tharpe, Mayor of Paris; Director Sam Hamilton; Refuge Manager John Taylor; and Brent Greer, Mayor of Henry County. |
 Refuge manager John Taylor looked forward to school children learning about the outdoors. |
 USFWS Director Sam Hamilton and refuge manager John Taylor discussed plans for Tennessee NWR. |
For more information, contact:
Phil Kloer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service public affairs; (404) 679-7125, philip_kloer@fws.gov
Joan Stevens, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge; (731) 642-2091 x302, joan_stevens@fws.gov
Originally posted 11/02/2009
