Michael Chitwood talks about the new Lee Highway facility of the International Congress of Churches and Ministers.A nonprofit religious group has big plans to give a sharply different look to long-vacant retail space in Chattanooga.
The Lee Highway site, where another group had planned a Dave & Busters-type restaurant and entertainment complex, now will offer church services and become a training center for religious activities.
The Chattanooga-based International Congress of Churches and Ministers has bought nearly 50,000 square feet of the former shopping center and started turning it into its new home.
“We wanted a venue where everybody can come together and learn,” said Michael Chitwood, the entity’s chief executive.
Including the land cost, about $4.5 million will be plowed into the ICCM space, he said.