Hawk Hill Plans Await Approval
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The future of AT&T Field is under consideration as the Chattanooga Sports Authority weighs next steps for the site following the Chattanooga Lookouts’ departure, while River City Company continues shaping what redevelopment could look like.
River City Company says the framework for the site has been developed over several years and is based on community input, downtown market data, and economic analysis aimed at determining what would be viable while aligning with community goals.
“That framework plan is based off of community input and it’s based off of a market data downtown real estate market assessment and a deep dive into what is gonna be economically viable and matching that with with aspirations of our Chattanooga community,” said Emily Mack, President and CEO of River City Company.
Early cleanup work is already underway inside the stadium as part of the transition process, with crews removing equipment and preparing the site for its next phase. The Sports Authority has not yet approved an interim agreement that would allow River City Company to formally enter the property and begin demolition work.
“In May is what is called final trash out and so there are things that they’re not suitable for donations and they were not auctioned off. They will be properly disposed of recycled etc.,” Mack said.
If approved, River City Company would take on demolition of the stadium at no cost to taxpayers as part of an early step in a longer redevelopment process.
“River City company is taking on the demolition of AT&T field no tax payer dollars are being used,” Mack said.
The proposal is intended to keep the site from sitting idle while long-term plans are developed. Mack said the request is meant to allow crews to begin work once the stadium is vacated.
“Build out and mobilize and actually start construction. It’s still several years away so what we’re asking for today is to be able to enter onto this site to be able to perform the demolition so that we don’t have a big and empty stadium sitting there,” she said.
That interim agreement is expected to go before the Sports Authority board for a vote on May 8th at 11:30 a.m.
