Palisades Bluff is a 17-acre property that sits on East Brow Road. The property’s owners hope to sell the land to the Town of Signal Mountain for $1.6 million so it can become a community park. (Contributed photo by HHM Certified Public Accountants)With finances tight, Signal Mountain officials are hesitantly considering a proposal for a town purchase that would turn a 17-acre property on East Brow Road into a park for the community.
The property, called Palisades Bluff, is currently owned by locals Ernest York and Frank Groves, who are hoping to sell the land to the town for $1.6 million.
York and Groves purchased the property 10 years ago with a desire to build a condominium for retirees, but they were unable to develop the structure due to property restrictions, such as building height limitations. Now, with age eroding their interest in development, the men are hoping the town will use the property to benefit the mountain’s residents.
“There’s no other piece of property on Signal Mountain that is more suited for a natural park than Palisades Bluff,” said York. “Rather than have someone come in there and develop it against our will, I’d rather the city had it to benefit all.”
Though Town Council members agreed the property was beautiful during a work session meeting on Aug. 26, their main concern was the proposed cost.