Ellen Gerst

Ellen Gerst is the breaking news editor at the Times Free Press. She has served as the paper's public editor, overseeing the opinion section, and covered crime, local news, growth and development since joining the paper in 2022. She previously reported on criminal justice and local government for the Casper Star-Tribune in Wyoming.

Contact Ellen Gerst at egerst@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6319.

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East Brainerd center to add boutique shopping, restaurants

by Ellen Gerst ·May 14, 2025

A planned "lifestyle center" coming to East Brainerd Road aims to bring the feel of downtown living to the fast-growing suburbs.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / The site of The Grove, a new commercial development near Hurricane Creek off East Brainerd Road, is seen May 14, 2025.

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Proposal withdrawn for Tunnel Boulevard development in Eastdale

by Ellen Gerst ·May 12, 2025

A developer withdrew his proposal to add 1,600 housing units at a large development off Tunnel Boulevard on Monday after months of meetings with neighbors concerned about the project.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Developer Michael Kenner makes a presentation Feb. 27, 2025, during a meeting at New United Missionary Baptist Church.

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Feds cut funding for Chattanooga’s Alton Park trail

by Ellen Gerst ·May 11, 2025

Administration cites ‘radical agenda’ in project that attempted to connect communities

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / East Lake Park is pictured May 7, 2025. The federal government has canceled a $20 million grant to complete the Alton Park connector trail, which was to stretch from a West 33rd Street apartment complex across 2 1/2 miles to East Lake.

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5 Hamilton County construction projects on Monday’s agenda

by Ellen Gerst ·May 9, 2025

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission is set to meet Monday to review applications for construction projects and new developments, and discuss a strategic growth plan for the county.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Kim Helton speaks during a community meeting in the Harrison Community Center on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

CARTA considering raising fares for some services

by Ellen Gerst ·May 9, 2025

Five days a week, Sidney McDonald boards a bus that delivers him, electric wheelchair and all, from his doorstep to his job at City Hall.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / From left, CARTA Chief of Staff Scott Wilson, CARTA riders Sidney McDonald and Gatha Logan Jr. and CARTA's Charles Thompson talk May 8, 2025, during a forum at the Chattanooga Public Library.

Chattanoogans talk public space, housing and belonging

by Ellen Gerst ·May 7, 2025

Cooper's Alley, Glass Street, a BlueCross Healthy Place park and an old freight depot turned into an accounting office.

Staff photo by Abby White / Constance Spano takes a selfie March 6, 2025, with those at her table. The United Way of Greater Chattanooga hosted a panel conversation at the Mac Avenue Event Space on how understanding built environments might make better neighbors.

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Church in Brainerd area again proposing senior apartments

by Ellen Gerst ·May 6, 2025

An attempt to build affordable housing for older adults at a Brainerd area church has been revived.

Staff photo by Abby White / The empty lot next to Greater Tucker Missionary Baptist Church is pictured May 6, 2025. Apartments have been proposed to fill the lot next to the church, on North Moore Road.

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Hamilton County home values spike, sparking tax concerns

by Ellen Gerst ·May 3, 2025

There is a house in a quiet Red Bank neighborhood, about 1,700 square feet, that owner Logan Ridge bought amid low interest rates in 2021 then planted 13 shrubs outside.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Sidewalks and a common lawn are features at Heritage Walk, seen Aug. 9, 2024, in East Brainerd. Hamilton County property values are up by an average of 60%.

CARTA to test free north Brainerd shuttle in summer months

by Ellen Gerst ·May 3, 2025

Residents of North Brainerd neighborhoods will be able to ride a free shuttle in their area this summer.

Staff photo by Abby White / The CARTA bus stop on the corner of Brainerd and Germantown roads is seen May 2, 2025. CARTA is testing a new route along parts of Brainerd, North Moore and Shallowford roads.

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Assessments rising fast in Chattanooga’s lowest-income areas

by Ellen Gerst ·May 3, 2025

In some of Chattanooga's lowest-income neighborhoods, rocketing property values are a sign of the times.