Local public safety representatives want to change the name of a portion of South Crest Road on Missionary Ridge, but neighbors are fighting the proposed alteration, officials said.
John Stuermer, executive director of the Hamilton County Emergency Communications District, said it is important to change the portion of roadway so that first responders are able to locate residents in case of an emergency.
“This is a public safety issue,” Mr. Stuermer said during a Chattanooga City Council Public Works Committee meeting this afternoon.
But Dwayne Smith, who lives at 164 S. Crest Road, said changing his and other property owners’ address would decrease their property values.
“When people think of buying a home on Missionary Ridge, they think of South Crest Road,” he said in an interview.
Mr. Smith said property owners may sue the city if the street name is changed.
Lee Norris, deputy administrator of Public Works, said officials want to change the portion of South Crest Road that runs into and dead-ends at Bragg Reservation to the 3100 and 3200 blocks of Bragg Reservation Way.
“It’s about making sure that if somebody needs emergency services that our responders can find the residents,” Mr. Norris said.
The council is expected to hear the issue at next Tuesday’s 6 p.m. full council meeting.
For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.
