Audio clip
Chris Anderson
A developer under fire for a proposal to put 500 housing units on Stringer’s Ridge sought support Tuesday from North Chattanoogans as he tries to secure City Council approval of his plan.
“There’s room for everybody,” said Chris Anderson to a group of business leaders and others. “We’re here for the long term.”
Mr. Anderson’s is one of an array of new, proposed or recently completed projects in the burgeoning development of the North Shore area.
His project has drawn criticism from some who claim it would mar Stringer’s Ridge and put too many new units in one place.
Mark Hixson, who lives in North Chattanooga, said there’s a concern the area could become overbuilt.
“I don’t think we’re there yet,” he said after a meeting of the North Chattanooga Council of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Anderson said his proposed project with street access from Cherokee Boulevard and Bell Avenue can complement the area and other developments.
With townhouses and condominiums ranging from the upper $200,000 to $600,000, the project could take five to eight years to build out, he said.
It will have a connection to the urban fabric of the North Shore, but offers an alternative to riverfront development, Mr. Anderson said. He said he plans to seek City Council approval Tuesday.
Margaret Thompson, representing the $36 million, 200-unit condominium project going up on Manufacturers Road called One North Shore, said it’s 60 percent sold out.
“We’ve had a lot of people who want to move here from out of town,” she said.
Steve Arnsdorff, developer of the Two North Shore retail development on Manufacturers Road, said his first phase is leased.
“The best is just beginning” for the North Shore, he said. “In 20 to 30 years, you won’t be able to recognize it.”
Brian McGhee, a Chattanoogan who attended the Chamber meeting, said he’s excited to see new development.
While there are always worries about overdevelopment, it appears as if there is space for the new projects, he said.
“At the moment, it’s not an issue,” Mr. McGhee said.
NORTH SHORE PROJECTS INCLUDE:
* BridgeView
* One North Shore
* Two North Shore
* Terrace at Frazier
* Four Seventeen on Frazier
* CARTA garage
* Planned hotel
Mike Pare, the deputy Business editor at the Chattanooga Times Free Press, has worked at the paper for 27 years. In addition to editing, Mike also writes Business stories and covers Volkswagen, economic development and manufacturing in Chattanooga and the surrounding area. In the past he also has covered higher education. Mike, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida Atlantic University. he worked at the Rome News-Tribune before ...
