Not long after the Walnut Street Bridge reopens to the public this fall, another major renovation project is expected to begin.
While speaking about upcoming projects at Coolidge Park and the Brainerd Levee at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, city officials said there would be an estimated 18-month closure of the Tennessee River’s southern shore beginning in November.
Officials are working on plans to move events normally hosted at Ross’s Landing to Coolidge Park on the northern shore of the river, Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Deputy Administrator Monica Kinsey told the council.
The closure will make way for a riverfront revitalization planned for Ross’s Landing, from the Market Street bridge to the area of the Olgiati Bridge, which carries U.S. Highway 27 over the Tennessee River.
“It is our intention to ensure that we can retain these events and this economic stability within our city,” Kinsey said.
Chattanooga’s riverfront closing for 18 months come November
The closure would accommodate renovations that aim to provide new amenities such as restaurants and an iconic playground at Ross’s Landing as part of the riverfront parks plan, Kinsey said in an interview after the presentation.
The Coolidge Park project would provide improved dock infrastructure, including a 75-foot paddle-craft launch, a dedicated fishing pier and greater accessibility for people with disabilities, according to the officials’ presentation. The Brainerd Levee project includes the laying of a chip-and-seal trail, tactile warning strips and way-finding signage, among other things, according to the presentation.
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While noting how the two projects have potential to add value, City Council Chair Jenny Hill of North Chattanooga said the south shore closure was a surprise.
“I feel like I have minimal context on this,” Hill said. “All of a sudden, this came out, and suddenly, we’re talking about how we’re closing the south side of the river. We’re talking about losing events and needing to move events … This is the first time I’ve heard about it.”
The south shore closure served as impetus for the two projects, Kinsey said in response to Hill. Events would move to Coolidge Park in 2027. The south shore closure would occur after this year’s Head of the Hooch in November, Kinsey said.
“We’re playing musical riverfronts,” Kinsey said.
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Hill asked for better communication on the plans. Council Member Dennis Clark of Cherokee Woods echoed Hill’s sentiment.
“With respect to the closure, you’re right, we got a little ahead of ourselves with this particular presentation,” said Kevin Roig, chief of staff for Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, addressing Hill’s comments. “We certainly will approach the closure of the riverfront in the same way we did the Walnut Street Bridge to make sure that we’re just blasting the dates and the workaround plans and everything related to it when the time comes.”
Funding for the Coolidge Park and Brainerd Levee projects would come from a nearly $1.8 million Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation grant, if awarded, officials said. The required matching funds would come from a nearly $1.2 million Appalachian Regional Commission grant, if awarded, and a city commitment of nearly $595,000.
At next week’s council meeting, the panel will vote to authorize the administrator of Parks and Outdoors to accept the state grant if it is awarded. Community information sessions on the two projects are set for 5 p.m. March 25 at the Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center, 200 River St., and for 6 p.m. March 26 at the Ramsey Community Center, 1010 N. Moore Road.
Contact outdoors reporter Sam Still at sstill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6579.
Note: This story was updated March 18 to specify which part of the riverfront is encompassed by the riverfront revitalization project.