Underground Dining Hall Controversy Continues

FOX 17 News – By: John Dunn

It’s the mansion at the center of a growing controversy.

First Lady Andrea Conte is standing by a plan to build an underground dining hall at the Tennessee residence despite vocal opposition.

The project has been nicknamed “Bredesen’s Bunker.”

It’s the next phase in a multi-million dollar renovation of the Governor’s mansion.

The First Lady took us on a tour of the newly renovated mansion.

She also talked about the need for the underground dining hall.

Construction will soon begin on the 15,000 square foot space, but not if some opponents have their way.

After years of work First Lady Andrea Conte is finally able to show off the mansion.

"We had water damage in the home because of the roof for years and years," says Conte.

Most would agree the Tennessee Residence needed a major renovation, but it’s the next phase of the project that’s drawing fire.

The underground dining room, officially named Conservation Hall, is unofficially dubbed “Bredesen’s Bunker.”


"The Conservation Hall is no question a need," says Conte.

The First Lady says the mansion’s current dining room only seats 22 people. If the crowd is larger the solution is often a tent outside.

"The governor, whoever he or she is, is a convener, and you have to have space where you can pull people together," says Conte.

Many Oak Hill residents, and a newly formed group, disagree with the underground plan.

"Cost, and the fact that we've got taxpayer money involved," says Susan Kaestner with Tennesseans for Accountability in Government.

Tennesseans for Accountability in Government points to the soaring costs of the renovation project. It was first estimated around $10 million, now it’s closer to $20 million.

"At a time the state has come back and said we have revenue shortfalls and we're going to be $200 million short, this is not an appropriate project," says Kaestner.

The state says the cost of Conservation Hall is being privately funded.

Nevertheless, the project is also drawing criticism from some state lawmakers.

First Lady Andrea Conte is standing firm.

Bottom line…she says the 160 seat dining hall is needed.

"It really addresses a deficiency that governors have lived with in this house since the state has owned it," says Conte.

Conservation Hall still has some challenges ahead.

The State Building Commission is discussing the project on Thursday, and the legislature’s Fiscal Review Committee is taking it up on Monday.

Still, the contractor for the project says blasting could begin within the next two weeks.
Underground Dining Hall Controversy Continues