The area surrounding the Chattanooga Airport may be undergoing some massive changes in the next few years.
Regional Planning Agency Executive Director John Bridger and City Council members Russell Gilbert and Carol Berz met at noon to discuss the initial findings of a look into how to improve the airport district.
Mr. Bridger brought out a detailed Powerpoint, which went through a hypothetical plan to drastically change (and hopefully improve) the airport district.
The project would be completed in phases, and would be centered around creating “catalytic sites,” replete with retail centers, restaurants, hotels and more.
One such proposed catalytic site is Jubilee Crossing, which currently has a high accident rate due to the odd geometry of the intersection.
According to the plan, the crossing would undergo a renovation of sorts, and would be surrounded by restaurants, a hotel with 150 beds, and some industrial buildings.
The point of these catalytic sites are to give people a reason to stay around the airport. As it stands right now, there is not much to do when people get off the plane. As Councilwoman Berz noted, Chattanooga is becoming a hub for international travel.
Yet many of the businessmen and women who come from foreign countries often have nowhere to stay or meet up when their plane touches down.
If the plan comes to fruition, the travelers would have places to stay close by, and would have areas to relax at and do business in, all in one place. Mr. Bridger compared their vision to Coolidge Park.
After all, the park is just one piece of the total experience; Coolidge also has trails, shops and other such spots like the famous walking bridge all around it. In other words, the plan is “trying to create the synergy of downtown near the airport.”
The date for a public discussion has not been set yet, but it could possibly take place in late August or early September.