Chattanooga Named Among Top 5 Small Cities in America by Leading Expert in Revitalization of City Places

Chattanooga's parks and public spaces were under the microscope Tuesday... and they passed with flying colors.

Fred Kent is a leading authority on revitalizing city spaces.

He says its one of the best ways to keep a city growing and healthy...

A bike ride through downtown Chattanooga was all it took for Kent to name it one of the top cities in America.

Kent is the founder and president of the non-profit group Project for Public Spaces.

He says, "It is such a thrill to be here and to see the progress."

Project for Public Spaces deals specifically with making cities and public spaces beautiful.

Kent tours as many as 70 cities a year, and his preferred mode of inspection is via bicycle.

He says Chattanooga is one of the best he's seen, and its downtown revitalization is a big part of that, "Its sort of an organic way of growing a city."

Speaking to a group of city planners and leaders Kent applauded the Tennessee Aquarium and the Water Front.

He praised city government for creating public places the city and its people can enjoy.

Benwood Foundation Executive Director Corinne Allen says, "It's time for a celebration, not only of what we've done in the past, but the potential of going forward to make this an even more desirable community than it is today."

City leaders say Kent's advice will achieve that potential...

Kent says Chattanooga's streets and traffic need to become public spaces once again, so that the atmosphere and activities in a place automatically control the flow of traffic and speed.

He listed two key areas that need some work... The Library and the Chattanooga Market.

Kent says, "You're never finished. We always say that you're never finished. There's so much to do here, but you're on such an amazing foundation."

Kent was in town as part of the Benwood Foundation's Hunter Lecture Series.