The developer of the biggest master-planned community in Chattanooga says the $300 million endeavor is being held up due to repeated delays by the Tennessee Valley Authority in its review of the proposed riverfront project on the north shore just below the C.B. Robinson Bridge.
The project in Riverview, known as Riverton, was acquired by John Thornton’s Thunder Enterprises in 2019. Thornton planned to start building the 210-acre residential complex last year after submitting applications for a boat and dock permit to TVA nearly two years ago.
“It’s been rather frustrating that we submitted our applications in May and June of 2020 expecting to get our permits and things squared away early in 2021, and it hasn’t happened,” Thornton told TVA President Jeff Lyash during a Chattanooga Rotary Club luncheon Thursday. “We keep getting delay dates and delay dates. I know TVA has a lot of other bigger issues to focus on, but our investors and others are really concerned about these dock permits.”
Thornton said the Riverton developers have done everything correctly and continue to respond to TVA requests for more information. Although Thornton initially considered building a canal and inland marina on part of the site, he abandoned those plans and is looking instead for permission to develop boat docks for residents on the Tennessee River between the C.B. Robinson Bridge and the Rivermont Community Park and tennis courts.
The Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 confers on TVA broad authority to conserve and protect the Tennessee River and the shoreline along the 652-mile river path. In particular, section 26a of the TVA Act requires that the authority’s approval be obtained prior to the construction, operation or maintenance of any dam, appurtenant works or other obstruction affecting navigation, flood control or public lands or reservations along or in the Tennessee River or any of its tributaries.