Developer of The Bend in Chattanooga: Novonix expansion would clash with vision

Novonix is exploring an expansion next door to its riverfront plant in Chattanooga, but the move would not be the best use for the property, according to the developer of the surrounding site.

The battery materials maker is assessing whether to buy a neighboring plant at the Westside site for $26.5 million instead of expanding across town at the Enterprise South Industrial Park.

Jimmy White, president of Urban Story Ventures, is working to attract mixed-use development to the entire former Alstom site in a venture called The Bend, named for its setting on the Tennessee River. He believes Novonix should stick to its original plans rather than expanding industrial uses beyond what he hopes to be a new neighborhood, retail and entertainment district.

Developer of The Bend in Chattanooga: Novonix expansion would clash with vision

White does not own the property that Novonix is potentially interested in buying, though he formerly held minority ownership.

“At the end of the day, it’s not the highest and best use of property at the end of Main Street in downtown Chattanooga. That’s my opinion, for whatever it’s worth,” White said in a phone call. “There’s a lot better mixed-use elements of development that can happen there in the downtown core.”