The Chattanooga Red Wolves owner plans to maintain an existing senior living facility that sits near the club's East Ridge stadium and $200 million in planned new housing and commercial space.
Bob Martino, a Utah developer who owns the professional soccer team, said he has purchased the retirement facility at 1417 N. Mack Smith Road and is making improvements.
"No one will be moved out," he said in an interview about the center called East Ridge Residence. "It's close to full."
Martino said the center, which has about 200 units, is "part of the project." The location sits next to a road that is slated to be extended into his development on 110 acres at Interstate 75 and Interstate 24.
A rezoning of the property to C-4 Planned Commerce Center District was sought by Martino on that site and a few other properties he owns adjacent to the main tract. That's so he can move forward at a later time for a different use should he choose to do so.
East Ridge Mayor Brian Williams said "quality of life" comes into play for city residents who need services other than retail and commercial.
"Him putting money into that is awesome," the mayor said in a telephone interview. "We'll continue to have residents who are comfortable living there."
Williams said while East Ridge has developments such as Martino's and others, the city has to balance those with opportunities including senior living.
Staff File Photo by Matt Hamilton / Bob Martino talks about his planned $200 million development at the Chattanooga Red Wolves CHI Memorial Stadium in East Ridge.He said East Ridge Residence was once a hotel and convention center. The hotel relocated and it went through a couple of owners and became the senior facility, Williams said.
"My wife's grandmother used to live there," he said, saying it offers independent living apartments that provide a place for residents in the region to live where they don't have to worry about maintaining a home or yard.
Martino is currently building the massive mixed-use project called The Gateway. He has made a lot of improvements to the parcel around CHI Memorial Stadium, which he built and where the Red Wolves opened play in 2020.
He's currently ramping up construction of 144 luxury townhomes near the stadium, he said.
The developer, who said he has bought property in Ooltewah for a home, added that the $140 million phase one of the planned project includes commercial space, offices, townhouses, apartments and condominiums. At least one more phase is planned for the property, Martino said, who has also indicated there is an interest in attracting a hotel and raising a convention center.
Earlier this month, the East Ridge City Council agreed to request $13 million in state funds to help the Red Wolves owner with public infrastructure in the planned development.
Martino said the chance to land the state grant is "a great opportunity for public infrastructure" such as for parking lots, sewer, water and sidewalks.
"It will help us with a lot of improvements," he said.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.