New committee will try to find a Medal of Honor Museum compromise for Coolidge Park

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – City council member Jerry Mitchell and Retired Major General Bill Raines have formed a civic committee to work on the Medal of Honor Heritage Center plan.

Museum supporters are trying to bring the Heritage Center to the park which was named for Chattanooga’s Medal of Honor winner, Charles Coolidge.

But park users have balked at how it could impact the layout.

The committee brings together elected, military and business leaders to find a solution.

So far, these people have signed on:

• Jim Fields, Hamilton County Commissioner for District 2 and retired petty officer second class in the U.S. Navy
• Jon Kinsey, former Chattanooga mayor and president of Kinsey Probasco Hays
• Noah Long, professional engineer (P.E.) and retired rear admiral in the U.S. Navy
• Allen McCallie, attorney with Miller & Martin, PLLC

The committee will take the next 60 days to examine the issues, then submit a final list of recommendations to the Mayor and City Council.

Ret. Maj. Gen. Bill Raines says “This ad hoc committee will truly embody our city’s can-do spirit of cooperation — often dubbed the ‘Chattanooga Way’ – where civic and business leaders, philanthropists, government agencies and residents pull together to set a bold vision and get big things done.”

“Chattanooga’s heritage and the Medal of Honor have been intertwined since the Medal was first awarded to Private Jacob Parrott for his actions with the Andrews Raiders in 1862,” said Jerry Mitchell, Chattanooga city councilman for District 2. “It’s my hope that this ad hoc committee will lay the foundation for building a consensus around the Heritage Center so we can move forward on this project in a manner that embraces an important part of our city’s heritage, honors Charles H. Coolidge and all of area veterans for their service to our county, and addresses the concerns being raised by local residents.”

You can learn more about the proposed Heritage Center at www.ilovecoolidgepark.com.