Move boosts Cambridge Square in Ooltewah

photo Workers grade the land as construction continues on a new Cambridge Square shopping complex near the intersection of Lee Highway and Ooltewah-Georgetown Rd. early Wednesday afternoon.

Former state Senate candidate Greg Vital will double the size of his company's headquarters, as part of a move to the Cambridge Square development in Ooltewah.

The announcement marks the first corporate tenant at the growing project, said David Belitz, CEO of The Lupton Co., which has spearheaded Cambridge Square.

"Announcing our first office building is a significant milestone, but teaming with such a strong, local company makes it that much more rewarding here," Belitz said.

Chattanooga-based Independent Healthcare Properties, which does business as Morning Pointe, will build a $1.5 million, 10,000-square-foot corporate office building at Cambridge Square.

Vital founded the company 16 years ago and has remained in East Brainerd.

When construction is complete in spring 2013, the new headquarters will support Morning Pointe's 800 workers in 22 facilities across five states, Vital said Wednesday.

"Over the next five years, we believe this will be the next downtown of Ooltewah," Vital said. "It's the gateway to Chattanooga and Cleveland."

The move comes on the heels of Vital's $18 million investment in two new Kentucky health care facilities, which he expects will create 125 new jobs there, he said.

Cambridge Square has previously announced Southern Burger Co. and Lupi's Pizza as tenants, and is working to complete the physical square that will anchor the entire development this fall.

The square is situated on land that was originally set aside as a buffer between The Honors Course, a private golf club set up by the late Coca-Cola bottler John T. "Jack" Lupton, and the outside world.

Belitz is working to create a development that still serves as a buffer, and also takes advantage of the site's location in a growing suburb of Chattanooga.

The long-term plan is to finish the commercial portion, then begin building housing to create a live-work-play environment.

"We are fortunante in that we have the ability to build on a vision," Belitz said. "The intention of Cambridge Square is to have something for everyone."

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