Catching you up on this week’s city announcements 📣

Keep reading for ways city officials are working to improve the Scenic City. | Photo by Kevin Ruck provided by Chattanooga Tourism Co.

It’s been a busy week for city officials in Chattanooga — and it’s only Thursday. Mayor Tim Kelly + his team have kicked off an accelerated affordable housing plan and released a climate action plan — plus, it’s Open Data Week.

There’s a lot happening. We’re here to give you the key points + how to get involved.

Open Data Week

Focus | To make the city’s data as transparent + accessible as possible for residential use.

Update | If you didn’t already know, you can view Chattanooga’s Open Data Portal — ChattaData — at any time to see details on city projects + studies.

Get involved | Share your thoughts + ideas about the city’s open data efforts via email. Bonus: If there’s a city project or study you’re interested in knowing more about that isn’t already on ChattaData, you can email to suggest it be added.

Accelerated Affordable Housing Plan

Focus | To accelerate the creation and preservation of affordable housing and expedite solutions that increase housing opportunities for all Chattanoogans.

Update | A 30-person working group has been created to inform the plan’s developmental process. This group will focus on:

Establishing the city’s housing inventory + needs
Identifying the biggest barriers to furthering affordable housing development + accessibility
Prioritizing programs + policies to drive investment efforts

Get involved | The consultant groups will work with the community over the next seven months to gather information + make recommendations for the action plan.

Climate Action Plan

Focus | A growth strategy that will “safeguard Chattanooga’s quality of life and invest in global competitiveness amid changes of the climate and international economy.”

Update | The plan has centered on these goals:

Achieving net-zero carbon emissions and a zero waste footprint in city government operations by 2040 + city-wide by 2050
Building a more sustainable city through modernized zoning policies
Preserving + improving Chattanooga’s natural resources
Becoming a national leader in the green community
Reducing disparities among socially + economically vulnerable communities

Get involved | There will be a public comment period at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 21 + the voting meeting to adopt the plan on Tuesday, March 28.

EVENTS

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Today, March 9

Other People’s Stories: A Story Exchange for Writers | Thursday, Mar. 9 | 2-4 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $12 | Join other writers and researchers in a story exchange workshop designed to practice empathy, deep listening, and perspective-taking.
Art+ Issues | Thursday, Mar. 9 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View Ave., Chattanooga | Price of admission | This program in partnership with CHI Memorial is inspired by themes found in Beauford Delaney’s “Metamorphosis into Freedom.”

Friday, March 10

Cultural Cross Ties Installation Opening | Friday, Mar. 10 | 4-6 p.m. | Downtown Library, 1001 Broad St., Chattanooga | Free | This art installation highlights the “powerful visions of hope that artists offer in times of turmoil” by artists in Chattanooga + Giv’atayim, Israel.
David Ramirez and Dylan LeBlanc | Friday, Mar. 10 | 7 p.m. | Songbirds, 35 Station St., Chattanooga | $20-$25 | This show will mix David Ramirez’s songs about love and heartbreak with rock ’n’ roll tunes by Dylan LeBlanc.

Saturday, March 11

International Women’s Day Group Ride | Saturday, Mar. 11 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lula Lake Land Trust, 5000 Lula Lake Rd., Lookout Mountain | Donation | Join the Velo Vixens on a fun mountain bike ride + hike in honor of International Women’s Day.
Rock City’s Shamrock City | Saturday, Mar. 11-Sunday, Mar. 12 | Times vary | Rock City Gardens, 1400 Patten Rd., Lookout Mountain | $19.95-$29.95 | It’s the opening weekend of Rock City’s annual Irish celebration with themed food and drinks, High Falls’ emerald-flowing waters, live music, and more.
Chattanooga River Market | Saturday, Mar. 11-Sunday, Mar. 12 | Times vary | Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, 1 Broad St., Chattanooga | Free+ | Shop from dozens of local and regional artists + makers at this riverside market.

Sunday, March 12

Family Fun Day | Sunday, Mar. 12 | 2-4 p.m. | Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View Ave., Chattanooga | Price of admission | Bring the whole family to participate in art activities and performances inspired by the Hunter’s special exhibitions — children 17 + under receive free admission.
THE LOBBY | Sunday, Mar. 12 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Bode Hotel, 730 Chestnut St., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | Bring your best jokes to this comedy open mic, or have a laugh at performances by local + out-of-town comics.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

56º | Cloudy | 82% chance of rain 🌧️

Tech

Introducing the CO.MOBILITY Summit — CO.LAB’s three-day summit focused on accelerating the future of sustainable mobility. The summit will take place May 9-11 at UTC + will feature keynote speakers, interactive sessions, panels, networking, and more. Grab your tickets.

Closing

East Ridge’s Wally’s Restaurant is set to close its doors permanently on Saturday, March 18. Owners Glen and Sharon Meadows said they will be retiring after 34 years. The Wally’s location on McCallie Avenue will remain open. (Local 3)

Sports

The Chattanooga Red Wolves have plans to expand its stadium. The more than $1 million investment will extend the stadium’s capacity by nearly 1,000 people + will include several other amenities. ⚽️ (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Edu

green|spaces, in partnership with VW Chattanooga, will host the Chattanooga Green Prix — a STEM program that allows students to have a hands-on experience in design — on Friday, March 24 + Saturday, March 25. The free event will showcase teams from 30 Hamilton County Schools. 🏁

Cause

Get ready to paw-ty. McKamey Animal Center’s MAC Gala will be on Friday, April 14 at The Westin Chattanooga. The “Caturday Night Fever” event will include a silent and live auction, plenty of cats and puppies to cuddle, and more fun. Tickets are on sale now + all proceeds benefit the organization. 🐾

Arts

The Chattanooga Boys Choir will host a special performance of “Brothers in Song” — welcoming back alumni Mark Laseter and Michael Parham — on Friday, March 17 at First Christian Church (650 McCallie Ave.). Purchase your tickets online. 🎶

Traffic

The closures on Vance Road (between Van Ness Street + Lee Highway) will be extended through Monday, March 20. Detours are currently posted.

Wellness

What’s in: red light therapy. What’s out: forms of treatment that are painful and invasive. Red light therapy is non-invasive and painless, and evidence suggests it may be able to ease body aches, heal sun damage, and build collagen. Brb — we’re adding this easy-to-prop light and this facial massager to our Amazon cart. *

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CIVIC

Weigh in on the future of Hawk Hill

Weigh in on the future of Hawk Hill. | Photo by Chattanooga Lookouts provided by Chattanooga Tourism Co.

River City Co. has opened a community survey for folks to weigh in on the future of Hawk Hill — the current location of AT&T Field + home to the Chattanooga Lookouts.

With the anticipation of a new stadium being built as part of the South Broad revitalization project, this leaves Hawk Hill up to be redeveloped.

What would you like to see at the 7.5-acre site? More restaurants, green spaces, or places to live? Let River City Co. know via this survey. Public input will be accepted through April 15.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Kristen.

Editor’s pick: After nearly 2,000 votes, TVFCU has announced the winning name of its porcupine naming competition with The Chattanooga Zoo. The baby porcupette’s name is Dill Prickles, which if you read our original coverage of the completion, was our top suggestion. We can’t wait to see the family of porcupines when the new exhibit opens at the zoo.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Let us know what Chattanooga activity you’ve been wanting to try out.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Kristen Templeton, Haley Bartlett, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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