Catoosa survey asks for input about future of Hutcheson building

FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga. (WDEF) — It has gone by several different names from Tri-County Hospital to CHI Memorial… But most people remember it as the Hutcheson Medical Center.

The historical building has over 30 acres of prime land in the middle of Fort Oglethorpe — with the city already in the process of reimagining buildings around the area. 

Currently hosting CHI Memorial Hospital, the building has been open for nearly 70 years and is a nostalgic place for many. 

“A lot of people have come here with their kids or themselves. When they need a trip to the emergency room… broken hands, broken fingers, all that kind of stuff. Lots of babies were born here, so people really have an attachment to this particular facility. They know it,” Catoosa County PIO John Pless said.

As the town of Fort Oglethorpe looks to the future, city officials are looking for input on what this building should be used for in the next few years.

“This is why we’re doing it. This is for the community. We want the public to have some skin in the game. To have some say into how this cornerstone of Catoosa County is going to basically write it’s next chapter going into the next hundred years,” Pless said.

The property has been around since 1953. 

According to Pless, the project is under planning from the City but the hope is to hand it over to someone who has a plan and can revamp it into something magical.

“We really want to weight most of the responses from people who are Catoosa County citizens, although we welcome input from anybody in the Chattanooga area that has got some ideas,” Pless said.

The University of Georgia put together a marketing plan about what would best suit the property.

There have been ideas to establish housing or even retail and restaurant options on the property.

If you have a plan for the Hutcheson property or ideas for the building, fill out the survey online.