The site of the former Harriet Tubman Homes is seen in this October 2013 file photo. Chattanooga is moving closer to buying the 37-acre tract in East Chattanooga and beginning the years-long process to transform the site for economic development.
Site of former Harriet Tubman public housing.In two weeks the city of Chattanooga will own the dilapidated former Harriet Tubman public housing site, but Mayor Andy Berke said it could take several years to see an industrial user on the East Chattanooga property.
The long-awaited deal will be complete April 21. Berke originally announced the city’s bid last July, but the deal fell through two months later, only to be resurrected upon a new bid from the city.
City officials already have paid $250,000 for earnest costs and will give the Chattanooga Housing Authority the rest of the $2.6 million in cash at closing.
“This is a big project that is important to the city,” Berke said. “This isn’t a short-term project. You’re going to see the best results of this a few years down the line.”
Berke’s plan is to demolish the buildings on the site and clear the 36 acres of land to market for future industrial use.