TN budget does not include $2.5 million request for John Sevier project

Governor Bill Lee’s request for $2.5 million to help offset renovation costs at Johnson City’s historic John Sevier hotel building was removed from the final version of the state’s budget late last week. The Johnson City Development Authority owns the John Sevier building and is working with the city and a team of private-sector developers who hope to open a boutique hotel there as early as spring 2028. The John Sevier project, which will also include the sale and renovation of the adjacent Downtown Centre, is estimated to cost close to $70 million.