PLANNING PROCESS

FALL 2020 - SUMMER 2021

 

Goals

  • 01

    Clearly identify the role of the district by and for Chattanoogans as a long-term vital downtown neighborhood.

  • 02

    Clearly identify different ways to fund the development to provide a 1:1* replacement of subsidized housing units within the district.

  • 03

    Provide a framework to reimagine the Westside District as a mixed income, mixed use, and diverse urban neighborhood for all Chattanoogans.

  • 04

    Provide clear, measurable opportunities to guide high-quality development and neighborhood-wide public construction investments.

  • 05

    Provide information about resident’s rights and responsibilities as they connect to HUD programs, local programs and agency required submissions.

  • 06

    Provide long-term visions that will lead to a quality living experience in an urban neighborhood.

  • 07

    Respond to the district’s history and character, development patterns and future potential.

  • 08

    Connect opportunities for public art and landscape design into the public space.

  • 09

    Provide various types of housing types and framework for the neighborhood.

  • 10

    Promote the principles of urbanism which support the ability for places to adapt over time.

STAGE 1

Understand the Community

The first 3 months of the planning process focused on understanding the people and geography of the neighborhood. The planning team gathered information on both the past and present of the community through surveys, interviews, observations and creative conversations.

Stage 1 included extensive surveying, listening and creative engagement. Over 1,000 residents completed surveys about different aspects of the neighborhood. The interactive presentation to the below is a summary of those findings.

Neighborhood Survey Highlights
 
 

STAGE 2

Create a Shared Vision

After understanding the neighborhood, the planning team worked with the community to create a shared vision for the future of the neighborhood. Creative conversations with residents, businesses, community leaders and other stakeholders defined goals and priorities.

An Activity Book was created for the community to participate in designing the future of the neighborhood for both those in person and those unable to attend in person.

View Activity Book
 

Workshop I

Buildings, Places & Connections

This workshop explored priorities and preferences regarding the built environment including but not limited to new housing, neighborhood retail and amenities, transportation, public infrastructure, parks and open space.

The first video is a recording of the presentation. The second video shows an interactive Mentimeter survey conducted during the workshop. Click the buttons to view the recorded events.

 
 

Workshop II

People, Services & Opportunities

This workshop explored priorities and preferences for services, programs and supports to help residents and their families improve outcomes related to health and wellness; income and employment; and education.

The first video is a recording of the presentation. The second video shows an interactive Mentimeter survey conducted during the workshop. Click the buttons to view the recorded events.

 
 
 

STAGE 3

Design a Plan

Once a shared vision is in place, the planning team will create detailed plans for the neighborhood including people, buildings, services, infrastructure and public space. Alternatives and a draft plan will be presented to the residents and broader community for input before the plan is finalized.

In the Stage 3 workshop, the planning team updated Westside residents on creative engagement projects and invited residents to provide more input on the ongoing planning process. The team shared a collective vision for the neighborhood.

View Recorded Event
 
 

STAGE 4

Make an Action Plan

In the final stage the planning team will create a common document with actionable next steps to inform the path forward for the future of the neighborhood. The final plan will guide the implementation of immediate and long term projects.

Stage 4 marked the end of the planning process. The below link overviews the plan, vision and goals for the long term future of the community.

Plan Overview
 
 
 

Additional Resources

Commercial Market Assessment

Residential Market Assessment

 

Community Advisory Group | Recorded Meetings