One Westside Plan draws concern from Unity Group of Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Unity Group of Chattanooga has concerns about the One Westside Plan in Chattanooga. 

The City’s One Westside Plan aims to revitalize the Westside area of Chattanooga.

from Unity Group of Chattanooga

The plan does include affordable housing and  parks. But The Unity Group said projects like these have a history of displacing African Americans.

Downtown Chattanooga has seen a sharp decline in African American population in recent years.

“Certain groups have not shared in the prosperity,” said Dr. Ken Chilton, Associate Professor at Tennessee State University. “In fact the data suggests that Chattanooga downtown grows and attracts new industry, new living units, and African Americans have not benefitted the same way other groups have.” 

The Unity Group wants to make sure safeguards for housing are in writing before the project moves forward.

This project has not been approved yet. To learn more about this plan, visit OneWestside.info.