Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke
Mayor Andy Berke has backed away from his proposed purchase of the former Harriet Tubman public housing site, even though the land was a key part of his plan to create new jobs in Chattanooga.
It was in late July that Berke first revealed the plan to purchase the East Chattanooga public housing site and use it to attract industry. The project was included as part of his overall budget to tackle job growth along with other key initiatives such as public safety and youth and family development.
But two months later and after gaining City Council approval, Berke withdrew his $1 million offer and pointed to the Chattanooga Housing Authority, which owns the 35-acre tract of land.
“It is clear that CHA will accept the highest bid, which is an amount beyond what we are willing to pay,” Berke said Monday in a statement.
The mayor later explained that he initially believed the CHA board would consider his $1 million offer. But, he said, CHA Executive Director Betsy McCright told him Friday that the board was now only considering selling Tubman to the highest bidder.