Lookouts stadium developer says surrounding investment will come
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Jim Irwin, president of New City Properties, speaks June 12, 2025, about the progress of the new stadium during a meeting of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Sports Authority in Chattanooga. Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Jim Irwin, president of New City Properties, speaks June 12, 2025, about the progress of the new stadium during a meeting of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Sports Authority in Chattanooga.
Though no developments around the new Chattanooga Lookouts stadium are rising yet, the site’s master developer visited the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Sports Authority Board to express confidence in future investment.
“Even though we haven’t talked in a minute, I’m here, and we’re working hard and incredibly excited about the progress we’re making,” Jim Irwin, president of Atlanta-based New City Properties, told the board Thursday. “Everything’s right on track.”
Erlanger Park, the $115 million stadium under construction at the former U.S. Pipe/Wheland Foundry site in the South Broad district, is on schedule for completion by the Lookouts’ 2026 season.
Chattanooga-based EMJ Construction, the general contractor for the stadium, has spent around $33 million on the project as of June, according to data the city presented at the meeting.
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / City Engineer Bill Payne gives details June 12, 2025, about the progress of the stadium site’s infrastructure during a meeting of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Sports Authority Board in Chattanooga.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Jim Irwin, president of New City Properties, speaks June 12, 2025, about the progress of the new stadium during a meeting of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Sports Authority in Chattanooga.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Jim Irwin, president of New City Properties, speaks about the progress of the new stadium June 12, 2025, during a meeting of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Sports Authority Board.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Jim Irwin, president of New City Properties, speaks to the media June 12, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / From left, Andy Stone of Perimeter Properties; Gary Chazen, president of Perimeter Properties; and Todd Womack, president and CEO of Bridge Public Affairs, watch a stadium presentation June 12, 2025, during a meeting of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Sports Authority Board.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Jim Irwin, president of New City Properties, speaks June 12, 2025, about the progress of the new stadium during a meeting of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Sports Authority Board.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / City Engineer Bill Payne gives details June 12, 2025, about the progress of the stadium site’s infrastructure during a meeting of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Sports Authority Board.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Chattanooga-Hamilton County Sports Authority Board Vice Chair Daisy Madison asks a question June 12, 2025, during a board meeting in Chattanooga.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Sports Authority board member Rudolph Fosters listens during the meetingThe Joint City-County Sports Authority Board held their regular meeting at the john P. Franklin Sr. City Council Building Assembly Room on June 12, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Sports Authority board member Rev. Ann Weeks listens during the meeting.The Joint City-County Sports Authority Board held their regular meeting at the john P. Franklin Sr. City Council Building Assembly Room on June 12, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Jim Irwin, president of New City Properties speaks to the media. The Joint City-County Sports Authority Board held their regular meeting at the john P. Franklin Sr. City Council Building Assembly Room on June 12, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Jim Irwin, president of New City Properties speaks to the media. The Joint City-County Sports Authority Board held their regular meeting at the john P. Franklin Sr. City Council Building Assembly Room on June 12, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Paul Boylan, left, City of Chattanooga, accountant and City Engineer for the City of Chattanooga Bill Payne bring the board up-to-date on the status of the stadium. The Joint City-County Sports Authority Board held their regular meeting at the john P. Franklin Sr. City Council Building Assembly Room on June 12, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Paul Boylan, City of Chattanooga, accountant speaks to the reporting of finances for the project. The Joint City-County Sports Authority Board held their regular meeting at the john P. Franklin Sr. City Council Building Assembly Room on June 12, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / City Engineer for the City of Chattanooga Bill Payne gives details about the progress of the stadium site’s infrastructure. The Joint City-County Sports Authority Board held their regular meeting at the john P. Franklin Sr. City Council Building Assembly Room on June 12, 2025.
Irwin and officials from the team and city estimate the stadium will be a catalyst for $1 billion or more of private development in the area.
