New Updates Presented on the Lookouts Stadium Project
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) –Opening Day was on Tuesday as baseball season is in full swing.
What else is in full swing is the development of the South Broad Stadium complex, as the vision for it is coming together.
The Chattanooga Sports Authority Board discussed updates to the plan for the Lookouts stadium today.
Master developer Jim Irwin highlighted what changes have been made to the South Broad Stadium development.
The stadium has been shifted slightly from its original planned location to enhance its atmosphere.
Irwin said, “I think one of things that will make this particular stadium world class, and different than any other minor league stadium, is that we’ve really been able to really nestle the field itself closely and integrate these structures into the ballpark itself.”
You can see the future site of the South Broad Stadium here.
The old Wheland Foundry and U.S. Pipe feature as parts of the stadium.
The current location of the stadium is an empty concrete lot.
The paint shop that used to be a part of the Wheland Factory is going to be a part of the right field line along first base.
Irwin said, “It tells this amazing story of the history of Chattanooga, the history of the site, and it really activates the site, and it really activates the site and enlivens the mind the way that building a brand new stadium in an open field wouldn’t.”
Irwin says the Tennessee Riverwalk will be a key component of the design.
Irwin said, “It creates this year round destination not just for games for 70-80 nights a year, but for concerts and activates restaurants and theaters among other things. It all comes together in a really beautiful way.”
New roads around the stadium site are in the proposal.
These include a ring road that would create a 29th Street.
Irwin says that the cost of the project, which is projected to be around 79.5 million dollars, will truly be known sometime this fall from the early designs of the architect and construction managers..
Irwin said, “What we anticipate is that they will be asked to provide early conceptual pricing as part of their response.”
The city has issued a Request for Proposal this week, which will allow for an architect to be hired.
Irwin says he believes work on the site can begin as soon as later this year to allow it to be ready in time for Opening Day 2025.
Other potential developments like retail and living spaces on the site were not discussed at length, but city officials say those will be a part of future steps of this project.
