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This week, more than 200 people gave input about the future of Chattanooga’s beloved riverfront, which is a huge part of what’s led to the vibrant city we call home today.
But there are also new challenges, such as aging infrastructure and an imbalance of tourist vs. local activity.
That’s why River City Co. is working on a new plan, called ONE Riverfront.
Check out more background from December, when River City asked our readers what they want for the future of the riverfront, and we’re sharing some of your feedback, too.
(To give your own feedback, check out this event or get more information online.)
Here’s what you said the riverfront needs:
🚗 Parking/roads
- “Competitive parking, different parking systems, owners, managers, leading to lower priced parking availability. Free parking in some areas would lower costs in other areas. Separation of city parking from private management is a must.”
- “Treat it like a major university area where focus is pedestrian friendly, limited vehicular traffic, outdoor meeting places, quiet spaces.”
- “More traffic lanes.”
👣 Activities/attractions
- “More attractions than the Aquarium and the IMAX. Get the history museum open. Get TVA to do a museum near the waterfront. They have awesome stories to tell.”
- “Take most of the money you’re spending on programming at Miller Park and direct it to the waterfront...How about yoga with stunning views of the water and big sky? Now that’s exciting!”
- “Keep the Lookouts!”
- “A Ferris Wheel!”
- “We need a multi-use venue for the city! Give the Lookouts a brand new baseball stadium where the city can host concerts and events and be a venue for the city of Chattanooga!”
- “A graffiti wall. A place where artist can tag legally.”
- “Need more commercial boat operators to help tourists and citizens to see the city and the gorge from the water.”
🎉 Amenities
- “Maybe food trucks and street vendors to get folks walking around…”
- “More visibility for public toilets!”
- “Golf course.”
- “Large, visually engaging Welcome Center … “
🥘 Eats
- “More restaurants with outdoor seating and coffee shops that all can be accessed by walking on riverwalk. And maybe even food vendor carts along the way - hot dogs, ice cream, beverages etc.”
- “More restaurants that over look the river. More bars with bands.”
🌳 Environment
- “No littering campaign across the city and county, please; install more trash and recycling receptacles & ensure they are emptied in a timely manner. We have a beautiful city-let’s put litter in its place.”
- “Green space that is people and dog friendly.”
🛍️ Shopping
- Trader Joe’s for sure. (Maybe all the requests are working. ICYMI, you need this Trader Joe’s news.)
- “Shopping district.”
- “A pedestrian area that includes more than just concrete and flat grass and with surrounding local shops. Something inviting right on the river rather than concrete steps.”
