Courthouse site letter stirs opposition
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The federal government has been searching for a spot to place their new federal courthouse for some time here in Chattanooga.
The General Services Administration says they have the spot they want.
However, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly made remarks opposing that spot Monday after receiving a letter from General Services Administrator Edward Forst late last week.
In that letter, according to the Mayor, the GSA intends to move forward with designing and building a new federal courthouse on Vine Street, bounded by Georgia Avenue, 5th Street, and Lindsay Street.
They had previously considered other sites such as Hawk Hill and the TVA building in the Central Business District.
A meeting was held a few weeks ago including Senator Marsha Blackburn to convince the GSA to choose a different site.
However, the GSA is ignoring that opposition and moving forward.
In a statement to News 12, Unum says quote that, “This decision disregards the clear concerns of local leaders and residents and limits the opportunities available to Chattanooga’s future growth.”
They insist that this property is not for sale, and it is essential to the future of their business.
Mayor Kelly shared similar sentiments, saying this is short sighted.
Mayor Kelly said, “Despite the totality of local opposition, including Senator Marshall Blackburn they’re just going to insist anyway. ..The irony is these are relatively short term considerations. These are concerns over the next six months or one year. This is a hundred year decision.”
He says that he prefers the TVA site to help drum up business in the central business district.
The Mayor added that he doesn’t think it would be cost prohibitive for the federal government to build at that site.
Mayor Kelly said, “I mean, I think the whole thought was all along. We would curse an incredible cost or someone would incur an incredible cost to return it to shuttle already and go build your stuff and TVA has stepped up and said we will do all this stuff. That was an acceptable objection for quite some time and that objection is off the table.”
The GSA says they plan to begin their construction next year.
