“This Community Benefits Agreement represents a collaborative effort on the part of many groups to ensure that this project not only enhances our community’s sports profile but also enriches the lives of South Chattanooga residents for generations to come.” — Executive Director of the Bethlehem Center Reginald F. Smith II. | Rendering provided by South Broad Chattanooga
Just when you thought news about South Broad was over — The Bethlehem Center has entered a Community Benefits Agreement with the organizations behind the development, mapping out the future of the former US Pipe and Wheland Foundry site + the surrounding district.
This historical agreement marks the first of its kind for Chattanooga + Hamilton County and is the second one to ever be signed in Tennessee.
While you can read the full agreement, we’re highlighting the major responsibilities of each party represented.
Chattanooga Lookouts
Environmental | Leading with a more “green” footprint like lessening light and noise pollution + addressing factors like the heat island effect.
Community | Incorporating South Chattanooga and local baseball history (think: Negro League baseball players) + supporting the neighborhood through community partnerships.
Workforce | Establishing the South Chattanooga Hiring Program, providing internships + working with local vendors through the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) database.
Public safety | Maintaining security cameras on grounds, having a disaster plan + conducting regular safety assessments.
Community | Consulting with local groups on priorities for highlighting South Chattanooga’s history + regularly donating to local organizations, especially DBEs.
Workforce | Ensuring one or more projects will bring 400 workforce housing units (defined as residents who fall between 80-120% of the area median income) + at least one site for childcare.
Traffic | Executing a site-wide Traffic Impact Analysis + working with CARTA to potentially bring a multi-modal transit center to the area.
Developer New City Properties
Environmental | Ensuring major commercial office buildings are aligned with LEED certification standards + utilizing native plants for landscaping.
Community | Meeting with the city’s director of supplier diversity to discuss hiring programs and space for DBE vendors + incorporating historical elements into the site.
Traffic | Implementing plans that adhere to the data found in the Traffic Impact Analysis + providing vertical parking decks, connections to public transportation, and structures like a vegetated riparian buffer along the riverwalk.
Vision + Verse | Thursday, Aug. 29 | 6-7 p.m. | Hunter Museum of American Art | Free | Enjoy an interactive discussion as you explore the work of contemporary African American artist + educator David Driskell.
Friday, Aug. 30
The Banshees | Friday, Aug. 30 | 8-11:55 p.m. | Barrelhouse Ballroom | $12-$15 | Catch this local indie-rock band headline the evening after In The Company of Wolves + Land Camera.
Saturday, Aug. 31
Grand Market | Saturday, Aug. 31 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Coolidge Park | Free+ | Shop a local arts + crafts and farmers market as you enjoy refreshing drinks and live music.
Foraging in the South East | Saturday, Aug. 31 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Crabtree Farms | $35 | Learn the basics of wildcrafting to identify, harvest, and use wild plants for food + medicine.
Learn to Decoupage | Saturday, Aug. 31 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | The Knot and Needle | $40 | It’s almost fall, get in the spirit by decorating a pumpkin with a pattern reminiscent of Blue Willow china sets.
Lumasi | Saturday, Aug. 31 | 9-11:55 p.m. | Barrelhouse Ballroom | $20-$25 | Get ready for an evening full of EDM as this Denver-based musician makes a stop in the Scenic City on his “Sun & Moon Tour.”
Sunday, Sept. 1
Fall Food Truck Rally | Sunday, Sept. 1 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion | Free+ | Try a bite around every corner of the Chattanooga Market as you shop from over 100 vendors and enjoy live music.
Lookouts Dogs at The Diamond | Sunday, Sept. 1 | 2:15-5:30 p.m. | AT&T Field | $8-$13 | Bring your furry friends + arrive early for the pregame Dog Parade during this special celebration of all things puppers. Pooch Pass required for all dogs in attendance.*
Hamilton County Parks and Recreation will host a grand opening for Enterprise South Nature Park’s new disc golf course on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. Following the ceremony, there will be a tournament to break in the equipment. Register online by today, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m.
Announced
Organizers behind the Highland Park Porchfest have dropped the official lineup for this year’s festival, happening on Saturday, Oct. 12. Get a look at the 23 performers who will be taking over the neighborhood. Stay tuned for our full event coverage.
Sports
The Chattanooga Red Wolves will name Section 117 at CHI Memorial Stadium the “Olivia Reeves Champions Corner” in honor of our local Olympian who took home gold for Team USA in weightlifting. Get your tickets for the Saturday, Sept. 7 match to see Reeves do a ceremonial coin toss.
Biz
Let’s talk money, or really banking. Chase Bank will soon bring two branches to the Chattanooga area — one in the Hamilton Place area + another in NorthShore. Both locations will be around 3,500 sqft in size and will have ATMs on site. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Community
Local nonprofit WeClimb is hosting a gear drive on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Burlaep Print & Press. You can drop off gear (think: winter wear, hand warmers, chalk, climbing shoes, etc.) and get a free local beer. Note: You can also drop off items at Four Bridges Outfitters + Synergy.
Plan Ahead
Registration is now open for UTC’s Center for Urban Informatics and Progress’ inaugural Chattanooga Connect. Slated for Monday, Oct. 21 through Wednesday, Oct. 23, folks can hear about the digital industry from global leaders to policymakers. Learn more + register.
State
UT’s Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research has projected that Tennessee’s population could reach 7.94 million by 2040 in a new study. Notably, the population of older adults (those 65+) is expected to increase by 25%, compared to data in the 2022 census. (Chattanoogan.com)
Number
25. You can study this many languages (and more) with Rosetta Stone. Ready to start learning?Get 50% off.*
Finance
Fall into savings (see what we did there?) with 18 months of 0% APR on balance transfers, plus no annual fee. Adding this card to our wallet feels as comfy as our favorite cardigan.*
Meet us at the schoolyard. | Rendering by Impact Parks
If we were to run a poll asking what your favorite school memories were, we bet a lot of them would be from the schoolyard. Thanks to The Trust for Public Land (TPL), you can relive those memories as Chattanooga will soon have its first-ever community schoolyard.
Think: A park on school grounds for students and the general public outside of school hours.
This $400,000 community schoolyard will be developed at East Side Elementary School, notably opening up the playground currently along East Main Street to be more accessible to the public. Expect a basketball court, pavilion, and more.
Playing around with the numbers — this development is funded by a public-private partnership with the city and TPL + $200,000 in matched funds from The Howard Fund and Lyndhurst, Bobby Stone, and Schillhahn-Huskey Foundations.
The schoolyard is expected to be open by early 2025 + TPL is already assessing future developments at other schools.
A cute graphic tee you can wear camping, hiking, or for day-to-day activities. Pick your favorite outdoors-y print + snag it while it’s on sale today for Labor Day.
When we asked our readers what their preferred camping style was, 42.4% said they were glampers. I’ll make sure to remember that if I do a camping guide in the future.
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