Nourishing the Neighborhoods
Plans for District Nine

Overview

District Nine extends from the Tennessee River at Chickamauga Dam southward along Missionary Ridge to the Georgia state line. It is one of the more unusual districts in terms of shape, land use and social diversity.

The district includes the heavy industrial Amnicola area and older residential neighborhoods such as Highland Park, Bushtown, Glenwood and parts of East Chattanooga. Further, portions of Chattanooga's inner-ring suburbs like Eastdale and Dalewood are within the district boundaries. Finally, the district is almost bisected by the long spine of Missionary Ridge which has an interesting mix of housing representing values from very high to very low.

Greatest Challenge:

The conservation and enhancement of the significant historic and recreational public spaces within District Nine offers the greatest challenge. This district includes a large percentage of the Civil War resources – such as those reservations and smaller properties scattered along Missionary Ridge plus Orchard Knob. Newly constructed extensions of the Tennessee Riverpark are scheduled to open soon and the maintenance of security and the physical improvements associated with this most unique park facility will present a continuous challenge to City and County resources. Still, these spaces are a large part of what makes Chattanooga special, so any reasonable investment should be considered appropriate.

Greatest Opportunity:

The resurrection of Highland Park and other urban neighborhoods in this district offer the greatest opportunity for significant improvement for the foreseeable future. The conversion of McCallie and Bailey Avenues and M.L.King Boulevard from a one-way pair to two-way traffic has sparked new development interest along both corridors that is already showing benefits. The development of the Third Street thoroughfare as a linear medical community can be both beneficial and threatening to adjacent residences. The management of these trends in order to provide the most desirable results for the existing neighborhoods will be challenging in the short term but positive in the long term.

My Plan and My Pledge

I will agressively seek a full-service grocery store / supermarket on McCallie Avenue

I will carefully manage the growing presence of medical facilities in the Erlanger / Memorial / Parkridge corridor.

I will provide landscape buffers and screening to protect existing residents.

I will protect and enhance the scenic value and historic integrity of Missionary Ridge

I will work to conserve and improve public access to the scenic, recreational and historic properties within the district – including Chickamauga Military Park and RiverPark sites.

I will provide improved industrial grade roads and other such infrastructure needed to support more manufacturing in the Amnicola area.

I will repair and extend sidewalks in urban neighborhoods and inner-ring suburbs.

I will add trails and pedestrian facilities – including extension of the Brainerd Levee / South Chickamauga trail from the Tennessee River to the south end of the levee at East Ridge.

I will restore brownfield industrial sites to a useful purpose

I will work to implement remaining applicable portions of the District Nine Plan and adopted neighborhood plans

I will push for more aggressive code enforcement throughout the residential neighborhoods to reduce the number of abandoned vehicles and to further minimize trash-strewn and blighted properties.

I will insist on active enforcement of the noise ordinance to eliminate the late night disturbances of booming car stereos.

I will implement "traffic calming" to slow traffic and discourage short cuts by motorists through residential areas. Thus, we will provide a quieter and safer environment for children and adults.

I will take a comprehensive approach to storm water problems.

Finally, pursuant to specific requests and comments by neighborhood residents, I promise to do a better job of maintaining the streets and roads, and I will undertake new measures to make sure that everyone has a better understanding about the scheduling and collection of trash and brush.