ROSSVILLE -- City leaders in Rossville unveiled an ambitious plan Thursday to build a park, farmers market and a pedestrian bridge over U.S. Highway 27 to dress up their gateway to Georgia.
"We're dreaming big," said Vice Mayor Teddy Harris, speaking after a news conference to announce the plan.
The plan is loaded with greenspace and a gazebo centered around recently purchased Roy's Grill and the triangular lot that already contains the Veterans Memorial. It calls for closing the alley behind Roy's and building a retaining wall and widening a sidewalk next to a church across from the triangle.
Lawrence Mathis, the architect who created the plans, called the triangle the "front yard of the city" and said the retaining wall would give space for a farmers market or other functions.
Other plans call for building a cistern to collect rainwater runoff from the roofs of nearby buildings and using limestone found at the site to build the gazebo.
Mathis said it would be "premature" to discuss how much any of the improvements would cost.
"It's ambitious, but that's part of changing the vibe of a place," he said.
Also at the news conference, Troy Potter, who recently bought Roy's, discussed his plans for the diner, which he called a "monument" in the community. He said crews already are working on a new roof, new heating and air and a new electrical system. He expects to be serving hamburgers, chili, stew and milkshakes there by January.
"We're hoping that the people on Lookout Mountain will look down with their telescopes and see Roy's shining bright," Potter said.
Rossville Downtown Development Authority Chairman Ron Wade said other groups have tried "to take a little paint and reopen Roy's," but the Potters are committed to doing it right. He said philanthropist Jack Lupton changed downtown Chattanooga, and the Potters and a host of others could change Rossville.
Inside, the restaurant is covered in white 1-inch tiles with red and white accents. Above the door is a sign that says "Go to Church on Sunday." Much of the original charm will stay, Potter said.
"The importance of getting it back to what it was is the key," he explained.