TVA Evaluates Historic Buildings on Muscle Shoals Reservation

Oct. 27, 2009

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. – In preparation for the potential redevelopment of about 1,300 acres on its Muscle Shoals reservation, TVA is evaluating the importance and condition of buildings eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

A TVA-commissioned study, known as the Adaptive Reuse Study, focused on three broad areas in evaluating about 45 buildings south of Reservation Road:

• Existing architectural and structural conditions of each building and the flexibility of each building for uses other than their original functions;
• Viability of the buildings based on current and foreseeable market trends in the region;
• Development of a draft concept plan illustrating examples of how the historic buildings might be reused in a larger redevelopment effort.

The study outlines various concepts including changes in population and how that might affect use of the property and buildings; types of businesses or industries that the current population or expected growth in the area might support; and impacts that road systems and distribution of population centers might have on the economic viability of new businesses and industries locating on the reservation. The study also provides for a large area on the reservation likely to remain as green space and discusses protection of sensitive resources.

As a comprehensive redevelopment plan for the reservation property is developed, the study and concept plan may be used as a starting point for future discussions with the Northwest Alabama Cooperative District and the community.

As a federal corporation, TVA is required by the National Historic Preservation Act to consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, local governments, federally recognized Native American Indian tribes and other consulting parties on TVA undertakings that have the potential to affect historic properties.

The study, conducted by Lord Aeck Sargent Architecture Atlanta, Ga., was started in January 2009 and completed Sept. 30. Copies of the study are available. To obtain a CD copy, go to TVA’s Pickwick- Wheeler Watershed Team office, Service Building, Complex E, Muscle Shoals Reservation, Reservation Rd., Muscle Shoals, Ala.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financing. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 9 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also creates economic development opportunities and manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.

Media Contact

Barbara Martocci, Knoxville, (865) 632-8632
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

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