On Thursday, Mayor Tim Kelly and his staff unveiled a comprehensive plan in hopes of transforming and improving the Scenic City.
Dubbed “One Chattanooga,” Mayor Kelly says this is the guiding framework for the city’s vision over the next three years.
A conversation with Mayor Tim Kelly with Greg Funderburg from NewsChannel 9. | Photo by NOOGAtoday
What this plan is
A broad vision informed by community input + designed to provoke action and dialogue about our shared future.
A guide to point Chattanooga towards ambitious goals + objectives.
Focused on changing systems that perpetuate inequalities.
Built on the basic services local government provides.
Issues to address
Mayor Kelly and his staff cited national research while developing this plan, including:
One in four children are living + growing up in poverty in Chattanooga (~8,797 children).
$13,000 difference in later-life annual income between white + Black children who grow up in low-income households in Chattanooga.
39.5% of local renters are housing-burdening — meaning 35%+ of their household income goes towards rent.
Black residents are four times more likely to die from hypertension + hypertensive renal disease than white residents in Hamilton County.
Chattanooga is ranked in the bottom 9% of worst places in America when it comes to helping poor children up the income ladder.
Chief of Staff Joda Thongnopnua + Senior Advisor for Opportunity Jermaine Freeman discussing the One Chattanooga plan. | Photo by NOOGAtoday
The plan
The One Chattanooga plan is composed of seven main goals with 40 key priorities:
Build a universal path to early learning — expanding access to early learning programs for all families.
Catalyze economic vitality in the Black community — increasing pathways to entrepreneurship + access to all.
Ensure affordable housing choices for all Chattanoogans — including the expansion of supportive housing resources available to end chronic homelessness.
Improve local infrastructure + public transit — composing long-term maintenance plans and investing in sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
Build a competitive regional economy — growing household incomes for all Chattanoogans.
Close the gaps in public health — addressing racial + economic disparities in public health outcomes.
Provide responsive and effective local government — increasing opportunities for residents to engage with local government.
Mayor Kelly stressed One Chattanooga is an ongoing and evolving plan that will be regularly updated. The current One Chattanooga plan can be found here with an in-depth analysis, as well as details on how the progress of these goals will be tracked.
Level 1 Introduction to Mountain Biking | Fri., May 6 | 6-8 p.m. | Greenway Farms Park, 3008 Hamill Rd. | $10 | Learn the basic skills of mountain biking — bikes and helmets can be provided. 🚵
Behold the Brave with High Heat | Fri., May 6 | 8 p.m. | Wanderlinger Brewing Co. | Free+ | Jam out to local indie rock with a beer in hand.
Thunderstruck | Fri., May 6 | 8 p.m. | The Signal | $20+ | The band considers itself “America’s ultimate tribute to AC/DC.” 🌩️
Saturday
Free Comic Book Day | Sat., May 7 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Infinity Flux Comics, 3643 Hixson Pike | Free | Free Comic Book Day is a fun event for the entire family — Infinity Flux invites you to celebrate comics in their unique shop.*
Nooga Noise | Sat., May. 7 | 12-11 p.m. | Redbud Venue, 2314 E. 13th St. | $15 | Enjoy a full day of music, food + more at this inaugural festival. 🎶
Red Bank Jubilee | Sat., May 7 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Red Bank City Park, 3817 Redding Rd. | Free+ | Celebrate the Red Bank community with food trucks, live music, craft vendors, a beer garden, and more. 🎉
World’s Best Mom Market | Sat., May 7 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Chattery | Free+ | Shop from local vendors to pick out the ultimate Mother’s Day gift.
Kane Brown | Sat., May 7 | 7 p.m. | Finley Stadium | $22+ | Award-winning artist Kane Brown will make a stop in his hometown of Chattanooga during his “Blessed & Free” Tour.
Sunday
Mother’s Day Family Canoe Adventure at Greenway Farm | Sun., May 8 | 2-4 p.m. | Outdoor Chattanooga OutVentures, 5051 Gann Store Rd. | $10 | This family-friendly, leisurely paced paddle takes you along a peaceful creek. 🛶
Scenic City State Fair | Sun., May 8 | 1-11 p.m. | Camp Jordan Park | $10+ | Enjoy the last day of the state fair. 🎡
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Picnic’s plans combine over-the-counter and prescription meds for maximum effectiveness. | Photo provided by Picnic
Is allergy season worse this year? Yes, according to the experts — and Chattanooga is no exception. The good news: You can say peace out to your symptoms with a treatment plan from Picnic. ✌️
Interested? Take Picnic’s allergist-designed quiz to receive a personalized plan that treats your specific symptoms.
Bonus: It’s delivered right to your door,so you have plenty of time to get back to biking the Riverwalk allergy-free.*
The former Chattanooga Choo Choo Convention Center has been sold by the Choo Choo owners. Various parts of the 33,000-sqft old train station complex have been sold off as well, with plans to reanimate the space + Southside neighborhood. 🚂 (Chattanoogan.com)
An East Ridge development is receiving $1 million from Hamilton County + ~$5 million from the state after recent approvals. The funding will go towards infrastructure work on the East Ridge mixed-use Red Wolves development, in addition to roads leading to the site. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Real Estate
SVN Second Story Real Estate Management, Fidelity Trust Co., and Lamp Post Properties recently joined forces in Chattanooga’s real estate market. SVN Second Story will operate company handling for all property management and maintenance + provide leasing and brokerage services. 🏠
Health
CHI Memorial Health will kick off National Women’s Health Week by offering free mammograms on Sat., May 7. CHI’s Mammography Mobile Coach will be parked at the Olivet Kingdom Center (730 E. MLK Blvd.) between 1:30-3:30 p.m. Walk-ups are welcome, or call (423) 495-4040 to make an appointment. (Chattanoogan.com)
Try This
Tonight marks the “Road to Nightfall” finals competition. The competition determines which of four competing local bands will headline the Nightfall Chattanooga shows on Fri., Aug. 26. The four final bands competing are The Smoky Nights, Adjective Trio, Lilac Line, and The Cosmic Twelve. 🎶
Arts
ArtsBuild is currently seeking candidates for the next Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute — a nine-part series that offers behind-the-scenes site visits to cultural + educational institutions, panel discussions with community leaders, and activities that engage participants. The deadline for applications is Fri., June 3.
Continuing its 70-year anniversary, the Hunter Museum of American Art will present, “Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Illustration” — the second of three special exhibitions. Visitors can take a journey through the realm of fantasy beginning on Thurs., May 19.
Active
Did you know tomorrow is National Fitness Day? To celebrate, SPENGA Chattanooga is hosting free sessions all day long. Know someone looking for an introduction into the fitness community or to elevate their current routine? This is a great opportunity to see what SPENGA offers. 💪 *
Travel
On Sat., May 7, American Airlines will start nonstop service to Miami (MIA) from Chattanooga Airport.Read: In ~3.5 hours, you could be sitting on a beach, dining at an authentic Cuban restaurant in Little Havana, or exploring the nightlife in Magic City. Book a flight. 🛫 *
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May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Chattanooga Public Library has found a fun way to provide self care supplies to community members.
Staff from the library have created a “make + take” station where you can pick up board games, puzzles, and other activities to take some extra self-care time.
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Editor’s pick: Well folks, I’m leaving for a beach vacation this weekend and will be taking most of next week off of work. I’ll miss y’all + Chattanooga, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t so excited to go to the beach. While I’m gone a familiar face will be helping out Brianna — welcome back to the Scenic City Dayten. 👋
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