NEWPORT-The Tanner building, after nearly 18 months of being closed following a tornado that hit it in April 2011, forcing its multiple nonprofit tenants to scatter to other locations, may finally get the comprehensive environmental clean-up it needs so it can reopen its offices.

The City of Newport's Board of Mayor and Aldermen, meeting Tuesday, Oct. 9, in the City Hall chambers, approved the lowest bid of $61,067 by Holm Construction to remove asbestos, lead-based paint, mold, and debris in the Tanner Cultural Center.

In response to a question from Carlene Robinson, director of the Cocke County Office on Aging, City Administrator Scott Collins said his goal is to have the funding available to start clean up before the end of December.

For more details, please see the latest edition of the Newport Plain Talk.