COOKEVILLE – Repairs are being made to the Standing Stone State Park dam in Overton County, and Cookeville-based J&S Construction Company Inc. has received a nearly $800,000 contract to complete the work.
The project marks J&S’ return to Standing Stone, a popular retreat situated on the eastern section of the Highland Rim. Officials recently received notice to proceed on the $789,916 contract with the Tennessee Department of General Services; repairs began in early September.
The scope of work included is multifaceted and consists of the replacement of the spillway channel lining, the repair of the drawdown valve and operator, installation of a new drawdown pipe inlet screen, architectural detailing of select portions of the spillway channel lining and grout injection to minimize leaking around the dam structure.
Logistically, all work must be conducted concurrently with ongoing park operations. The trails, picnic shelters and surrounding attractions will remain accessible during construction. Communication with the local park authorities as well as state officials is imperative to the project’s success, J&S officials said.
Looking back, the site holds historical significance for J&S Construction. More than 70 years ago, Pat Stites, father of J&S Construction founder, John D. Stites, worked on the job and supplied materials to help construct the dam. Later, in the mid-1970s, J&S Construction received the award for a project requiring major renovations to the park. This was the first contract in company history to exceed $1 million in total project value.
“This site has had a real personal connection with us to be able to keep the same job in the family for that long,” Jack Stites, president of J&S Construction, said. “We take a lot of pride in that job. We always look forward to working on a project that holds such historical value for the company.”
J&S Construction’s contract is for 180 days.
