Runners head south on Riverfront Parkway just beyond the south end of the Tennessee Riverwalk near Ross’s Landing. Expansion plans include an extension from this area to St. Elmo.How to participateWhere: South Chattanooga Rec Center, 1151 W. 40th Street.When:* Thursday, Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. — Opening Presentation and Discussion* Saturday, Jan. 25 at 2:00 p.m. — Midway Presentation and Discussion/Feedback* Monday, Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. — Closing Presentation and DiscussionSource: Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise
A nationally-acclaimed town planner is poised to help St. Elmo create a link between the historic hamlet’s downtown district and Chattanooga’s Riverwalk.
Urbanist Mike Watkins, who has led the creation or redesign of more than 70 neighborhoods across the U.S., will work with neighbors to design the link between the Riverwalk, St. Elmo and Lookout Mountain while also boosting bike use and bolstering downtown businesses.
The village of St. Elmo brings geographic challenges to the Riverwalk extension project. To the north lies the Tennessee River. To the south is Lookout Mountain. To get from one side to the other, the Riverwalk must pass over, under or across Broad Street or Tennessee Avenue, both of which snake through the center of St. Elmo.
To date, city officials have secured a path along the river from the Chickamauga Dam through the U.S. Pipe and Wheland Foundry site, with a planned Broad Street crossing near Mt. Vernon restaurant.