The good folks that own that sprawling eyesore known as the Wheland Foundry and U.S. Pipe sites are apparently looking for a master developer to lead future projects.
A master builder, huh? Is this the next installment of "The Lego Movie" or are we trying to revive Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor's career?
In truth, part of TFP business reporter Mike Pare's story about the next move by the group that owns the 141 acres on the south side of the city may mean a little more than meets the eye.
Jay GreesonTaking applications and looking to make hires seems like a move for a process already in motion. Yes, we know Mike Mallen and his partners are looking for something to do/build/develop/sell on the monster tract.
It also makes sense for everyone who can spell baseball to remember that the linchpin piece of any new megaplex at the site would include a new minor league stadium.
All parties involved are saying the right things and hoping for relative silence, but this - the Lookouts ownership wanting a new stadium or openly talking about moving - is coming, friends.
That development would almost assuredly be looking for heavy backing from local tax dollars. We can't speak for Jason Freier or the other bigwigs at Hardball Capital, the group that owns the Chattanooga Lookouts. We know no one from Team Lookouts management has ever said anything about a fund-us-or-watch-us-walk pitch. But that has been the working game plan for the other two minor league teams Hardball owns.
We also know that Hardball is a perfect name for their group. It owns teams that play with a hard ball and has been known to play hardball in negotiations about homes for those teams.
It's the job of every good political leader to explore ways to make our city and county better. Weigh the information, consider the cost and benefit and what may have to be cut from a finite pool of our tax dollars to make room for this or that.
The simple solution to all this new Southside development-Lookouts-new stadium discussion is to put that topic on the ballot. Let the voters decide, because as Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger is quick to remind all of us, the money belongs to the taxpayers.
So let the taxpayers decide on an expenditure this big with the knowledge that without a new stadium, the Lookouts likely will look for a new town and county that will help the team build one. It's a classic choice, and one that will have passionate voices on each side.
But that's how our system should work. Will it find its way on the ballot? We hope that our leaders - especially those who bang the drum for transparency for transparency's sake - will make sure that it does.
Until then, though, make your voice heard. Especially now.
We are in the days leading up to the vote on the 2018-19 Hamilton County budget, and make sure your commissioner or Coppinger's office hears your concerns. This is the productive way to make sure your voice is heard.
Make sure the matters that matter to you are known by your elected officials. They are there to represent your concerns.
Does that mean every phone call is going to be met with open arms and a certified A-OK? Of course not.
But when a lot of our county leaders are on the ballot later this summer, now is the time to make sure your voice is heard.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and 423-757-6343.