Lisa Fontana

A newly opened events hall is part of what some say could be a revitalized arts district within the Southside.

“We’ve talked to the city about designating the area as a creative arts community in the same way that the Bluff View Art district is one,” said artist John Henry.

Mr. Henry and Tom Bartoo have renovated an early-1900s building at 1601 Gulf St. and leased a portion of it to The Mill, an events hall that opened in June. The Mill is in an area called Cypress Corners off Main Street across from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga. Mr. Henry declined to say how much the renovation cost.

Staff Photo by Shane McMillan
Director of The Mill Lisa Fontana says The Mill has a capacity of nearly 500 seated guests and as many as 1,000 standing.

Mr. Henry said he operates an outdoor studio adjacent to The Mill to make large sculptures and has an indoor studio nearby as well. He said he has spoken extensively to the city to turn part of the old Montague Park behind The Mill into a mixed-use park that would include a sculpture garden. Artists from around the world would send sculptures to the garden, he said.

The sculpture garden would make a wonderful amenity for guests at The Mill, said Lisa Fontana, the event hall’s director.

The Mill features 7,300 square feet of space for such events as weddings, corporate events and charity fund-raisers, Ms. Fontana said. The event hall has held a family reunion and wedding, and is working to book several nonprofit agency events and has a prom booked for next year, she said.

The event hall’s capacity is 500 seating or 1,100 standing, she said. The event hall has a moveable stage and a lounge area with flat-screen televisions.

The Mill has a professional-style kitchen available at no charge and will work with any licensed caterer, she said. And, The Mill has free parking, she said.

The Mill’s building was once Allied Drug Co. and later was Nation Hosiery Mill, Ms. Fontana said. Mr. Henry said the structure is one of three buildings that make up Cypress Corners, which also is home to a film production company. Other possible tenants are in negotiations and several should be announced soon, he said.

“We will have amenities like restaurants,” he said.

Comments