Patten Parkway development denied by Planning Commission

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  The fate of another historic downtown Chattanooga building remains up in the air.

However, a big step was taken today towards its preservation.

Developer Evelyn Capital wants to redevelop Patten Parkway into a new mixed use building up to 12 stories high.

This caused widespread opposition to the project, especially as the proposed building is just feet from the historic St. Peter and Paul’s Basilica.

The Basilica, which has been in Chattanooga since 1852, is filled with traditional stained glass windows among other sacred architecture.

Fr. David Carter of the church said, “The public does not support a project that would overshadow the basilica, threaten its structural integrity and put it an irreplaceable historic and sacred site at risk.”

They say that a proposed 12 story residential building, to be built by Nashville based Evelyn Capitol, would prevent light from shining through the stained glass.

One parishioner, Vicky, said, “It is a House of God built for this city over 100 years ago. The stained glass tells a story the only time you can see the glass on the story is when that sun streams through those windows.”

One of the other key concerns during the planning commission meeting was that the building would only be nine feet away from the church, and that the forces of the construction could damage the old basilica. 

James Poston, an engineer, said, “So this is at 9 feet from the Basilica. Driving 60,000 pound stakes into the ground could cause forces up to the earthquake of 6.5.”

An attorney for the developer argued that these sentiments shouldn’t get in the way of progress.

Hannah-Claire Boggess, an attorney for Chambliss Law, said, “Developing parcels downtown really close to neighbors is not a new concept. You have to build up.”

Commissioners were frustrated they couldn’t hear from the Nashville developers themselves.

Chris Anderson, the Vice Chair of the Planning Commission and the Senior Advisor for Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly said,”I thought we were pretty clear last month that we expected them to be here today because there would be more residents here so let me be even clearer today. I expect them to be here next month no matter what the request is.”

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, who is normally represented by Devel0pment Services director Nathan Janeway at meetings, sat in his seat to oppose this project.

He motioned to deny as he argued this development would be a massive mistake and harm the church.

Mayor Wamp said, “It is a work of art unrivaled in this part of the country. The light is not just important because of its beauty, it is necessary. It is part of its function.”

The Commission 8-4 to deny the project.

The denial by the Planning Commission does not mean that the project is dead.

The Chattanooga City Council will still have to hear the proposal.