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Chattanooga’s McKamey Animal Center planning an up to $2 million expansion at North Access Road site

McKamey Animal Center plans to build a new community education center as part of an expansion of the North Access Road facility. / Rendering by Franklin Architects
McKamey Animal Center plans to build a new community education center as part of an expansion of the North Access Road facility. / Rendering by Franklin Architects

By Mike Pare 3 min read

WHAT’S NEXT

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission on Aug. 12 is expected to take up the donation of about 15 acres in city property to McKamey Animal Center.

McKamey Animal Center is planning an expansion that would increase its footprint by nearly half to make room for a new wing for a community education center and more space for the animals.

Jamie McAloon, the center’s executive director, said the $1.5 to $2 million expansion would create added working space at the 4500 North Access Road site.

“It would help our ability to train and work with them and to do things for the animals who are with us long term,” she said, noting that the center is planning a capital fund-raising campaign.

At the same time, the city is looking to declare surplus a 15-acre tract, part of which the center now sits on, and then donate the entire parcel to McKamey, according to a filing with the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency.