The upcoming expiration of the lease for the Family Dollar store on East Third Street has led to disagreements involving some Glenwood neighbors and a local developer.
Ed Cagle, with Cagle Development, wants to build a new Family Dollar store on the corner of Derby Circle and 2316 E. Third St., but Tommy Diller, president of the Glenwood Neighborhood Association, says it's too close to the historic district.
"I've been trying for two years to find a place for another Family Dollar store, and I haven't been able to find a piece that was big enough that wasn't in a residential area, and this one is already commercial," Cagle said.
"I can build anywhere; it doesn't matter. I've done it for the neighborhood, not for me because I don't need this fight," he said. "They don't have a grocery store there, they don't have anywhere to shop. The people in the association have cars and jobs, but people who live there walk (to the store)."
Diller said all they ask Cagle and Family Dollar is to be responsible community members.
"The Glenwood community has been trying to work with Ed Cagle and Family Dollar to find appropriate property to develop," he said.
"There is an empty and for-sale lot on East Third Street just a block away from the current location we asked Cagle Construction and Family Dollar to look into," he said. "There is also an empty building on Dodson Avenue where Vincent Printing used to be we asked them to look into. Why they have not, I cannot answer."
IF YOU GO* What: Ed Cagle Family Dollar information BBQ* When: Noon today* Where: Derby Circle and East Third Street* Information: Transportation provided at 11 a.m. from current Family Dollar, 2107 E. Third St.
District 9 Councilman Peter Murphy said he can't come to a final opinion about the situation until he hears all the information, but as the proposal stands right now he agrees with the Glenwood Neighborhood Association.
"The neighborhood doesn't want that, and I understand that," he said. "It's not appropriate for me to make a final decision, but I'm inclined to go with what my constituents are telling me and I understand their point very well."
Jessica Moore, a Glenwood resident, said she's in favor of Cagle's proposal.
"Anywhere in the neighborhood is fine," she said. "It's really the only store in walking distance in the neighborhood. It helps everybody, the able and disabled, because a lot of people in this neighborhood don't have a car."
She said the closest grocery store is the Food Lion on Brainerd Road, which is about a six-minute drive away.
On Monday, the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission will consider rezoning a portion of the site.