Nourishing the Neighborhoods
Plans for District One

Running for mayor means listening to people's concerns, being Mayor means you'll take those concerns and get the job done. Over the past several months it's been my privilege to visit each of the nine districts that make up our great city and to listen to the residents that live in the fine neighborhoods within those districts. I've learned that Chattanoogans have a wealth of knowledge about how to make things better. Here's what I've learned from those living in District One, and here's what I plan to do for them.

Overview

District One is destined to become one of the fastest growing parts of Chattanooga. Residential development is already taking off and that trend in conjunction with proposed commercial development will put a strain on infrastructure. Lookout Valley and Mountain Creek are experiencing new subdivision development. The North Chattanooga area is seeing considerable infill development.

I have gone door to door, attended events at schools and ballgames - listening to the people. As a planner, of course I discussed the district needs with professional staff and reviewed adopted plans. I have talked with both the incoming and outgoing Council representatives to get their views.

Challenges

This is the only council district facing the daunting task of accommodating two new Wal-Mart Super Centers (Lookout Valley and Mountain Creek). Traffic and drainage are critical issues. Environmental protection and enhancement will be a priority - especially due to the presence of steep slopes throughout much of the district.

Identified Needs:

1. Sidewalks and greenways - especially connecting schools with residential areas and commercial centers.

2. Road and traffic, railroad improvements.

3. Picnic pavilions in area parks, more ball fields near the schools or other appropriate locations district-wide plus a more convenient post office branch to serve Lookout Valley - perhaps a good candidate for the new Wal-Mart center.

4. Greater capacity for the schools - particularly the elementary schools.

5. Attention to the serious drainage issues throughout the district, but more pronounced in Mountain Creek and parts of Lookout Valley.

6. Traffic calming on selected thoroughfares.

7. Environmental protection.

Greatest Opportunity:

After more than 50 years of effort, Moccasin Bend will finally become a national park. The development of this unique site as a historic resource focusing on the Trail of Tears will be one of the more significant undertakings of the next decade. It is likely to become the centerpiece of District One.

My Plan

I'd like to work with District One residents, neighborhood leaders and elected officials to move these concerns from talking about it to doing something about it. We need to work quickly to keep the present concerns from becoming serious issues in the future. I'd like to use my expertise in planning and my credibility with all stakeholders to make progress on the inadequate roads and other long-standing developmental bottlenecks affecting Lookout Valley and Mountain Creek. We've already taken steps to protect some of the more environmentally fragile areas. The specific regulations on development of slopes and hillsides adopted recently by the current city council (with substantial advice and assistance from the development industry) will provide a previously missing level of protection. As the only candidate that has ever built a road or dealt effectively with traffic and drainage problems, I honestly believe that we can move much further and much faster in addressing these serious needs throughout the entire district. My involvement with Moccasin Bend goes back almost 30 years. I've served two terms on the Board of Directors for Friends of Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park and look forward to helping this dream of preserving and interpreting the bend become a reality. We must work hand in hand with Federal officials to keep this project moving. Further, I want to bring the railroads to the table to talk about a solution to the much discussed overpass problems on Highway 41. I've worked with the railroads before as Commissioner of Public Works in replacing the McCallie Avenue viaduct and the bridge on Central Avenue. It can be done. As Mayor, I know we can make greenways and sidewalks happen, too. It just takes persistence and determination. Of course, experience counts as well - and I have plenty of that. I won't need on-the-job training. I'm ready to go to work for District One and all of Chattanooga.