For all the recent growth of Chattanooga’s downtown, the South Broad Street area has captured a mere 1 percent of the more than $1 billion of new investment in the central city over the past three years, according to a new study of the area.
But a new plan suggests the 400 acres south of Interstate 24 along and around Broad Street could join in Chattanooga’s central city renaissance with the addition of new sports facilities, parks and zoning rules to allow new types of urban housing and retail development.
What’s next?
The Chattanooga Design Studio will present and discuss the South Broad Street District Plan from 5 to 6:30 p.m, Monday night in meeting room 1A at the Development Resource Center, 1250 Market St. The plan will go to the planning commission in March and be presented again to the Chattanooga City Council for approval in April.
The Chattanooga Design Studio, using the ideas voiced by 250 people who attended a series of public meetings last fall, suggests building a new baseball stadium for the Chattanooga Lookouts, a new track and sports facility at Howard High School and new types of housing and parks will bring more residents, businesses and visitors south of the freeway.
The 128-page report said the Southside should capitalize on plans for a new Interstate 24 exit, the extended Tennessee Riverwalk and the availability of 140 acres on the former site of the Wheland and U.S. Pipe foundries for new retail, housing and stadium development.