Town Hall brings out concerns over Northgate redevelopment
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) – Councilman Jeff Davis of District 3 hosted a town hall meeting Sunday at the North River Civic Center, giving Hixson neighbors a chance to voice their concerns and hopes for the future of the Northgate redevelopment project.
News 12 attended the meeting, where residents spoke openly about what they want and don’t want included in the plans.
One of the biggest questions of the night centered on how CBL Properties plans to use Tax Increment Financing funds, known as TIF, and what specific projects that money would support.
Hixson resident Marie Chinery said she wants more clarity before any taxpayer dollars are committed.
“Why would we pay for them to fix it when we don’t know what we’re going to get? And I mean we, as citizens. If we’re giving this money, it would help to have an idea of what we’ll get back in five years.”
Throughout the meeting, residents repeatedly pressed for details on what types of development could be coming, especially after previous statements suggested a mix of retail, restaurants, and possibly office or residential space.
David Neuhoff, Senior Vice President of Redevelopment for CBL, told the community that many decisions are still undecided.
“We really don’t know what to plan yet. There could likely be a mix, probably some more retail, definitely more food and beverage options. Could there be an office or even a housing component? It’s possible. But the infrastructure today would not be able to support the level of usage needed.”
Many residents say they want to see Northgate grow, but hope the growth benefits the community without overwhelming it.
Chattanooga resident Paul Hixon, who lives in Hixson, emphasized the importance of keeping the area alive.
“My comment to any city leader would be, don’t hesitate to keep Northgate thriving and in business. It’s very important to the infrastructure here in Hixson.”
While CBL has previously said they could choose not to build housing, one resident pointed out that other developers involved in the project could still pursue it.
The concerned Hixson resident expressed frustration about how quickly the TIF process appears to be moving.
“Every TIF I’ve seen takes six to eight months of meetings, discussions, planning, and public input. This one is happening in 30 to 60 days. We need to slow it down. There are people developing around this area who aren’t even here today. It’s more than just CBL, even though CBL is the one leading it.”
In a statement to News 12, CBL said it remains committed to working with the community.
“We’re focused on setting the proper foundation for the future of Northgate by working with the city on this partnership to fix the infrastructure. Only if this incentive package is approved will we be able to fully contemplate the scope of a future redevelopment. If approved, we will begin the planning process with community input to ensure the project we deliver meets the demands of the market and best serves the Hixson community moving forward.”
Residents will have another opportunity to share their thoughts next year.
The next public meeting is scheduled for March 15, 2026 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Greenway.
