Mayor Kelly reacts to Patten Parkway decision, new crime stats

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- We are hearing the reaction to Monday’s Patten Parkway decision from Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly.

He is represented by Senior Advisor Chris Anderson on the Planning Commission, who voted against the denial of a proposed 12 story mixed use development.

Anderson stated he wanted a deferral instead, which is something Mayor Kelly says he agreed with.

An attorney for the developer, Evelyn Capital of Nashville, requested a deferral for 30 days, as developers elected to skip Monday’s meeting.

Mayor Kelly says he agrees with Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp that Saints Peter and Paul’s Basilica is a jewel in the community and their concerns are valid.

However, he added that the current state of Patten Parkway needs to change. 

Mayor Kelly told us, “We don’t need that building to be empty either, that’s an equally poor outcome. We need to work with the owners and try to figure out what will work. Certainly I’d like to see the old facade preserved and we need to make sure that any new development reflects the character of downtown Chattanooga.”

This case despite Monday’s denial still will be heard by the Chattanooga City Council next month.

Meanwhile, he also reacted to new crime stats released in Chattanooga.

The Chattanooga Police Department says that homicides fell by half last year as 14 people were murdered in 2025.

27 were murdered in 2024.

The number of shooting victims in 2025 fell by 26 percent to 61.

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly says these are very encouraging stats, as he says Chattanooga is solving homicides at a far higher rate than at the national average.

Mayor Kelly said, “The stat that jumps out to me is a 94% closure rate on our homicides. To me that is quite literally almost unheard of. It is a very, very high number and it means really just said if you if you commit a crime here in Chattanooga, you’re gonna get caught, and that is the strongest method of crime prevention.”

According to FBI data, the national homicide closure rate is 61%.

Mayor Kelly added that his office will continue to support detectives and their work in Chattanooga Police’s Real Time Intelligence Center.