Don’t let parking keep you away from the downtown area. | Photo by NOOGAtoday
Something we hear from our readers all the time? “I would go downtown if there was more parking.”
Well, folks, fuel up those cars — the City of Chattanooga, in partnership with CARTA + private lot owners, is launching an improvement plan specifically for downtown parking.
The first part of this multi-phase effort will introduce the NorthShore Express Shuttle, a new park-n-ride that aims to minimize travel disruptions during the 18-month-long closure of the Walnut Street Bridge — which will begin Monday, March 17.
Here are some pro tips on navigating this free shuttle:
Shuttle Park North parking (3rd Street) — first hour is free, with fees up to $12 for over three hours
Shuttle Park NorthShore parking (behind Shell station on Frazier Avenue) is $10 for over three hours
Download Transit for real-time transportation updates
Download PBSC to locate a bike station + see availability
Other parts of the initiative include better signage, upgraded technologies, easier payment options + teaming up with local lots and businesses to offer parking credits.
Events
Events
Wednesday, March 5
“Becoming Led Zeppelin” | 6:15-8:15 p.m. | Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater | $13+ | See the first-ever authorized documentary about the legendary rock band, featuring “never-before-seen” footage, remastered sound and video + interviews with John Bonham.
Jim Gaffigan | 7 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium | $52+ | This seven-time Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, writer + producer is bringing his observational humor set to Chattanooga.
Thursday, March 6
Soap Making 101 | 6-8 p.m. | The Chattery (Broad Street) | $53 | Learn to skillfully blend oils and lye, resulting in the creation of five to six bars of soap of your very own.
Friday, March 7
Gentle Flow & Restore | 4-5 p.m. | Key to Change Wellness Studio | $15 | This class blends gentle, mindful movement with deep relaxation with the support of props and optional hands-on assists.
Bummer Camp | 6-11 p.m. | Yellow Racket Records | $12+ | Enjoy an intimate show at the back of a record store where this grunge band will celebrate their latest album release.
Saturday, March 8
Mystical March | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | The Commons, Collegedale | Free+ | Immerse yourself in a whimsical world of art, craft, and farmers market wonders while listening to Irish/Celtic music + sipping green beer.
✈️ Here’s how to score a $196 flight deal to San Diego (or Key West, or Las Vegas)
Presented by Going
$196. That’s the average deal Going finds for its members to fly round-trip to San Diego. | Photo by Griffin Wooldridge via Pixabay
Psst — the secret to feeling amazing when you book this year’s vacation? Signing up for free flight tracking, so you’ll be notified when flights you have your eye on are seriously discounted.
The votes are in for Chattanooga’s Municipal Election — Mayor Tim Kelly will serve four more years, marking his second term. Notably, Ordinance No. 14168 also passed. Check out the full results to see elected City Council members for Districts 1-9.
Closing
NorthShore gift shop Blue Skies has announced it will be permanently closing its doors by the end of April. The shop has operated on Frazier Avenue for 25 years, offering jewelry, funny socks, wall art, and more. You can support the store by partaking in its sales until inventory is gone.
Outdoors
Chattanooga is set to receive a $6 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture. The funds will go toward planting over 2,000 trees as the Scenic City strives to become a National Park City. These efforts also include new tree ordinances coming in May — stay tuned. (NewsChannel 9)
Real Estate
ULI Nashville + local community members will host a tour and panel at Mill Town tomorrow, March 6. From 4 to 6 p.m., attendees will learn more about how this 42-acre site is being revitalized to become a single-family neighborhood. Register online.
Ranked
The Tennessee Aquarium is fishing for a repeat victory of ranking No. 1 on Newsweek’s Best Aquariums Readers’ Choice list. Voting is open now through Thursday, March 27 at 12 p.m. Bonus: Read why they rank so highly on our list.
Shop
A new farmers market is popping up on the scene. Starting April 11, Farmers Market and Food Truck Friday will pop up at Cocoa Cafe from 4 to 6 p.m. every second Friday, through November. Interested vendors can fill out this form to participate.
Featured
Launch Tennessee will feature Chattanooga as part of its Tennessee House programming at the SXSW film festival held in Austin, TX (hi, ATXtoday). Festival-goers will hear a talk hosted by Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, learn about our role in the quantum world, see a dedication to the MoonPie, and more.
Award
ChattState was recently honored with the highest distinction a college in the Achieving the Dream Network can earn. See what that means and how they did it.*
Category
Seasonal
🌷 4 ways to create a springtime bouquet
Let us guide you to some local farms for tulip season. | Photo provided by @jolijardinfarm
Tulip season is almost here in the Greater Chattanooga area, and while it seems like it lasts a while (March through mid-May in some cases), you don’t want to miss out on these local farms before their supply runs out.
Save the date for opening day on Saturday, March 15 + get ready to head to:
Pick through a selection of double tulips at this local flower shop’s stand at Walden Peak Farm Thursdays-Sundays. Prewrap bunches start at $10. Stay tuned on Instagram for when the tulips become available.
Located less than an hour away from downtown Chattanooga, this u-pick farm will open daily for folks to cut their own stems from the fields that hold 200,000 tulips. Admission is $5 + $2 per stem.
It looks like our readers have grocery shopping on the mind — in our recent poll on what you’d like to see come to a new + improved Tennessee’s First Shopping Center, 37.2% answered Trader Joe’s. Let’s just hope the parking situation is better than the Hamilton Place location.
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