Great Wolf Lodge project faces possible new delay over archaeological survey

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Great Wolf Lodge development project, which has been in the works since 2021, may face another delay after Mayor Scott Conger’s recent Facebook post signaled a potential setback.

To comply with state codes, certain contracts must be amended, a step that requires Jackson City Council approval. The project will also require an archaeological survey, ordered by the Army Corps of Engineers, which would add roughly $31,000 to the original contract ceiling of $525,000.

The amendment under consideration involves a contract with Neel Schaffer for professional engineering services related to the Great Wolf Lodge access road.

“Then item four is the consideration of an amendment with the contract with Neel Schaffer for professional engineering services related to the Great Wolf Lodge access road. The Corps of Engineers for the state is requiring us to do an archaeological survey on the area for the road so we have to add that into our contract,” Mayor Conger said.

WBBJ reached out to the Army Corps of Engineers, which ordered the survey, to find out why the evaluation is necessary. The agency said it is still reviewing the request.

The mayor’s office was also contacted, but Conger said he was unable to share additional details at this time. He directed inquiries to his director of planning and development, Stan Pilant. A response from Pilant was still pending at the time of this report.

City council is scheduled to meet March 3 to further discuss the additional project costs.

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