Chattanooga developer withdraws zoning for Walnut Street Bridge site

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

photo An aerial view of AT&T field and Downtown Chattanooga looking East.

A Chattanooga developer has temporarily withdrawn a request to rezone a tract for a new hotel near the south end of the Walnut Street Bridge downtown.

"It's been withdrawn for the moment," said Andrew Hibbard of Vision Hospitality. "We're weighing our options."

Hibbard wouldn't say why, but the action comes in the wake of concerns expressed by a downtown homeowners group. Documents filed with the city had indicated a Fairfield Inn by Marriott was eyed for the site.

Helen Burns Sharp, a representative for the Downtown Owners Collective, said DOC went on record as opposing the zoning change. She cited concerns including opening up the site to general commercial zoning and no neighborhood meeting.

She said she later talked with Mitch Patel, CEO of Vision Hospitality, who told her that his company withdrew the zoning change application and that it will take several months to explore the concept of a high end boutique hotel that would tie in with the Bluff View Art District.

See full story in Wednesday's Times Free Press.