Rendering for proposed climbing wall at former Bijou Theatre.PROJECT TIMELINE
2009 – Bijou theater closesOctober 2012 – Plans for The Block announcedFebruary 2013 – Demolition work startsMarch – Work on “The Pit” startsOctober – New projected grand opening
The plan to give the former Bijou Theater in downtown Chattanooga new life as a climbing gym and retail space is hitting snags that have caused organizers to push back the planned opening from this summer to early October, and costs for the project are on the rise.
The project’s cost now exceeds $5 million, said Jim Williamson, vice president of planning and development at River City Co., which is putting $2.5 million into the project. Planners initially estimated the renovation would cost $4 million.
High Point Climbing and Fitness co-owner John O’Brien said his costs are at $2.9 million – about $1 million more than he’d initially planned to pay for the work at Third and Broad streets.
“Costs have escalated, but the size of the gym has gotten bigger and the quality we’re putting in is better,” he said. “I think it’s something the city will be proud of when they see the finished product. We’re not cutting costs. And in the end it will be worth it.”