Developer says Foundry District around Erlanger Park is on target

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- An update was provided Thursday on Erlanger Park and its surrounding development in the South Broad District.

The development around the future home of the Chattanooga Lookouts has received criticism over whether its spurring surrounding development.

The main developer, Jim Irwin, answered questions on how the developments around the stadium that will support Erlanger Park are coming along.

Irwin presented new renderings of what some of the planned buildings will be around the stadium.

A rendering of a proposed apartment complex as part of the Foundry District overlooking Erlanger Park.

One of those being an apartment complex that will overlook the stadium’s outfield.

Irwin said, “It is something that each and every one of you and your city will be proud of… The Foundry District deserves world class architecture and construction. Something that is just striking and surprising and delightful and that Chattanoogans wouldn’t expect.”

Recently, Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp criticized the project for what he saw as a lack of progress on the Foundry District, and that it would lead to budget shortfalls in county and city government.

City Engineer Billy Payne that the project so far is on track with its projected $112 million budget.

Payne said, “The cash flow spend is projecting very well with the cash flow projections we had at the very beginning.”

Irwin says that he is confident that the project will deliver.

He said, “All I can say is that based on the momentum and the excitement that we feel, our investors are backing the design and we feel great about our progress.”

Irwin also adds that work is ongoing to recruit tenants to this district.

He said, “We are having lots and lots of conversations with prospects, both restaurants, retail, potential office tenants who are interested in working on site, and from the standpoint of designing multifamily residential, typically that happens well into construction when you start the pre leasing process.”

Irwin says the stadium is still on track for first pitch in April 2026.