Chattanooga Residents Advocate for Inclusive City Planning at Community Forum

Chattanooga Residents Share Their Vision for the City’s Future

Chattanooga, Tennessee – On a recent Monday evening at the downtown library, the community came together to discuss the future of their beloved city. Among a backdrop of colorful maps depicting various neighborhoods, residents like Ronald Moss were keen to express their thoughts and ideas about the city’s new planning initiative known as Plan Chattanooga.

Ronald, a resident of the Lake Hills neighborhood, took a moment to fill out a comment card in tidy blue pen. He explained that his area often feels overlooked when it comes to city planning. “It’s great to see Lake Hills included as ‘Area 10’ in the plan,” he noted. He strongly believes that the addition of sidewalks would make a massive difference for locals trying to walk to nearby spots like Food City or the post office. “As it stands, we often have to walk in the street,” he added, a hint of frustration in his voice. “It’s a start, and I really hope they can implement it somehow.”

Plans for Change, One Step at a Time

Residents gathered around the tables, browsing through detailed neighborhood maps, listening intently to presentations about the planning strategies in place. Ronald mentioned that he has seen various plans come and go over the years, citing high-profile projects like the Tennessee Aquarium and the new Lookouts stadium which receive a lot of attention due to their potential to bring in revenue.

“I feel like the city is more focused on attracting wealthier newcomers rather than taking care of long-time residents,” he said, pointing out a gap in prioritization. “I’ve participated in plenty of these planning sessions, but real, tangible changes seem few and far between.”

Kickstarting the discussion was Dan Reuter, the executive director of the regional planning agency, who emphasized the importance of having an open dialogue about growth issues. “We want to put everything on the table at once—let’s talk about our needs and understand our challenges,” he exclaimed.

Mobility and Community in Focus

The planners behind Plan Chattanooga began their work in mid-2023, collaborating with various consulting firms to create a well-rounded approach to urban development. According to Zakcq Lockrem, a planner with the Mend Collective, the plan will serve as a policy guide rather than a direct blueprint for construction or zoning changes. “We’re looking to identify areas that have great potential for development or conservation,” Lockrem clarified. The plan has four main principles aimed at ensuring growth aligns with existing infrastructure while being environmentally friendly.

During the open house, attendees got a chance to look at proposed conceptual designs for key focus areas around the city. Ideas floated around included turning underutilized land near Northgate Mall into a bustling mixed-use hub or creating a central town area at the intersection of Brainerd and Germantown roads. “These visuals help make it real,” said Kari Spiegelhalter, another planner from Mend Collective. “People can see their neighborhoods in a new light, thinking, ‘This is where I live and care about.’”

Voices from the Community

Another resident, Noel Weichbrodt, took the opportunity to examine designs for the downtown area. He expressed enthusiasm for a proposed rejuvenation of the Broad and Fourth streets intersection, emphasizing the need for creating inviting spaces to hang out rather than just passing through. “It looks like a nice place to be!” he said, while also advocating for safety improvements around the community where his kids ride their bikes to school.

Despite the overall positive energy in the room, Noel wished for improved communication regarding public feedback sessions. “It would really help to have more notice about these discussions because we all have a stake in this,” he said. It’s clear that while excitement for the ideas is brewing, there remains a call for action, and the community is eager to see what comes next.

As the deadline for feedback approaches, with an extension likely beyond November 15, residents remain hopeful that their voices will be heard and their needs addressed in Plan Chattanooga. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about maps and plans – it’s about building a city everyone can call home.