A hotel proposed for Chattanooga’s riverfront could put the squeeze on the Riverbend and Head of the Hooch festivals, though a hotel development would bring in more revenue year-round than the parking lots that are currently onsite.
The land proposed for the hotel by the Chattanooga Downtown Redevelopment Corp. is adjacent to the Olgiati Bridge, at the corner of Riverfront Parkway and Power Alley. Riverbend concertgoers know it as the site of some of the concessions fronting the Bud Light stage, where the open lot allows crowds to enjoy a combination of music and food.
Property around the site is divided into slices owned by Chattanooga, the city’s development group and the River City Co.
Chip Baker, executive director for Friends of the Festival, said he would “make it work,” even though the changes will reduce Riverbend’s overall footprint.
“Every year the festival changes to some degree,” Baker said. “It’s a lot of space, but the thing we do well is work and plan with all constituencies.”