Westside Evolves News Today

Nearly six years after acquiring the shuttered remains of what was once Chattanoogas biggest manufacturing employer, developer Jimmy White said Wednesday he has preliminary interest and agreements for nearly $1.3 billion of new housing, office, retail and factory development on the 120-acre site.

The Chattanooga City Council unanimously approved a special Westside tax district Tuesday, paving the way for billions of investment in The Bend and Westside Evolves, together dubbed as One Westside.

Even as city and county officials move forward with plans to redevelop the area, Victoria Gray, a nearly three-year resident of College Hill Courts, doesnt intend to remain in the Westside neighborhood. Crime is a problem, she said.

The Chattanooga City Council and Hamilton County Commission are scheduled to vote this week on plans for Westside developments, a move that would start the process of investing billions into residential, retail and commercial property.

The Chattanooga Housing Authority presented to the City Council on Tuesday an updated survey of Westside residents, showing a majority want to stay after the Westside Evolves project redevelopment is complete.

Kenyetta Brown takes her three children to Sheila Jennings Park in College Hill Courts every day.

A committee reviewed the current state of the Westside One project Thursday afternoon at Chattanooga City Hall.

A new type of downtown zoning is being proposed to aid the redevelopment of Chattanoogas biggest and oldest public housing project on the Westside.

Major development projects during the past 20 years have coincided with the displacement of African Americans out of Chattanoogas downtown, according to findings from the Unity Group.

Hamilton County Commissioner Warren Mackey, D-Lake Vista, is often abrupt and sometimes obtuse during commission meetings, but he also is consistently supportive of growth and development in Hamilton County.