Architects approved for Hamilton school projects

photo Fred Skillern

Hamilton County commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved nearly $3 million in contracts with four architects for design work at four schools.

Chairman Fred Skillern said the commission has worked with the architects before.

The architects are Derthick, Henley & Wilkerson Architects for the new Ganns Middle Valley Elementary School; Franklin Architects for Nolan Elementary School; Hefferlin + Kronenberg Architects for an addition to Sale Creek Middle/High School; and Billingsley/Architecture for an addition to Wolftever Elementary School.

Commissioners also approved the dedication of $26 million to the Industrial Development Board for the planned expansion of the Volkswagen site at Enterprise South Industrial Park.

Commissioners also approved the appointment of Richard Youngblood to the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Hospital Authority Board of Trustees, and the appointment of Nettie Gerstle as director of administrative services in the Health Services Division.

At the end of the meeting, Commissioner Warren Mackey asked County Mayor Jim Coppinger why Tennessee Highway Patrol officers have been ticketing extensively on state Highway 153, saying they were on a "rampage."

Mackey's complaint was that the money from the patrol tickets ends up in state funds, rather than in funds specifically for the county, like tickets from local police.

He asked Coppinger to encourage "Tennessee Highway Patrol in some fashion to slow down in Hamilton County."

Coppinger said the county does not have the authority to ask the patrol to leave, and also said it's his belief that the patrol was brought in at the request of the city of Chattanooga. However, he said he would look into it.

The Times Free Press reported in late July that the Chattanooga Police Department and the THP were partnering to try to reduce traffic fatalities on city roadways. There have been 29 reported traffic fatalities to date, up eight from the same time last year.

Contact staff writer Hannah Smith at hsmith@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6731.

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