Stand organizers plan weekend events to map Chattanooga's future

Volunteers with the Stand campaign are asking community members to host gatherings in homes and neighborhoods this weekend to help map out the region's future.

Stand, an initiative to collect opinions from Chattanooga area residents for ideas on the city's future, has collected more than 11,000 surveys. Officials expect to reach their goal of 25,000 by Aug. 31.

"Chattanooga is gaining ground every day (to be) the world's largest survey-based community visioning effort," said Sarah Lester, Stand campaign coordinator. "I am confident we will reach our goal."

Officials hope that a slew of home meetings on Saturday will bolster survey participation and allow neighborhoods and friends to talk in depth about how to improve the city and region, said Ms. Lester.

So far there are seven confirmed Stand events scheduled this weekend. There will be five private home and neighborhood gatherings, and Stand officials will hand out surveys Friday at Movies in the Park in Coolidge Park.

Also, Chattanooga City Councilman Peter Murphy will host a public barbecue at the East Ridge Recreational Center on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. where people can fill out Stand surveys and discuss ideas, she said.

Missy Luce, a Stand volunteer who hosted a community gathering at her house in Highland Park several weeks ago, said bringing her friends and neighbors together to discuss the survey helped spark several interesting conversations.

"I appreciate the Stand campaign because it shows me that the community cares about the next step for Chattanooga," she said. "The vision plan for 2000 was obviously successful, and I am very hopeful that this effort will prove to be as well."