• Wednesday, March 20, 2024
    City council approves resolution to apply for grant to fund passenger rail study in Chattanooga - Local 3 News
    The Chattanooga City Council approved a resolution to apply for a grant to fund a passenger rail study on Tuesday night.The resolution allows the council to accept a $500,000 grant if awarded from the US Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Corridor Identification and Development Program.The Corridor Identification and Development Program is a comprehensive intercity passenger rail planning and development program that will study rail services between Atlanta and Savannah and from Atlanta to Nashville and Memphis through Chattanooga.It’s unclear how long it will take to finish the study.Any funds left over from the grant will be used toward future phases of the rail project.Stay with the Local 3 News app for updates to this story.
  • Wednesday, February 21, 2024
    Chattanooga Simplifies Sign Regulations: A Nod to Business Efficiency - BNN Breaking
    Imagine navigating a labyrinth of bureaucratic procedures, each turn revealing another layer of complexity, only to find the exit leads to another maze. For many business owners in Chattanooga, this Kafkaesque scenario was a reality when dealing with the city's sign ordinance. That is, until now. In a decisive move, the Chattanooga City Council, guided by Mayor Tim Kelly's vision, has voted to streamline the process, promising a new era of efficiency and business-friendliness. From Labyrinth to Expressway At the heart of the reform is the ordinance change which shifts all appeals of sign ordinance violations directly to the Board of Zoning Appeals, effectively dissolving the Board of Sign Appeals. This move is not merely administrative; it's symbolic. Mayor Kelly, drawing from his own experiences as a businessman, recognized the undue burden placed on entrepreneurs. "The goal is simplicity," Kelly remarked, emphasizing the need to reduce red tape and make ...
  • Monday, January 29, 2024
    Chattanooga Lookouts to shoulder extra costs in historic minor league project, city says - WTVC
    CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — UPDATE (Monday 1/29):The lead-up to this final deal was anything but easy."It's possible that there are some, you know, genuine and honest misunderstandings about how this actually works. I'm fully confident with my background experience that this is a great deal for for all parties. And I'm 100% confident," Mayor Tim Kelly said.It’s been months of back and fourth regarding the Lookouts Stadium project and price increase.The city of Chattanooga says the project is expected to be the most expensive in Minor League Baseball history."We've been in many, many minor league ballparks and many throughout the southeastern United States of America, Fort Wayne, Durham, Birmingham, Huntsville, all these ballparks and all these developments. It's amazing what they've done in those cities to bring development down to blighted areas of their towns," Rich Mozingo, the President of the Chattanooga Lookouts said.While the cost is nearly 40-million dollars higher ...
  • Saturday, December 23, 2023
    Opinion: Low-income housing in city is needed but projects shouldn’t skirt City Council - Chattanooga Times Free Press
    Opinion: Low-income housing in city is needed but projects shouldn’t skirt City Council  Chattanooga Times Free Press
  • Wednesday, December 20, 2023
    City Council expects to delay action on skateboarding in Chattanooga - WDEF News 12
    CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga City Council has delayed action on a proposal in skating on the roads citywide. Council members believe skating on streets will cause accidents and slow down traffic. Over the past two years, police have issued three citations for skaters.  Council Chair Jenny Hill says the ordinance that was passed earlier this year was due to skateboarders damaging public property. “In my district, I have tons of places that do not have sidewalks and yet, there would be a place that I would expect to see a child and my neighborhood riding in the road,” said Council Vice Chair Jenny Hill. “I would expect to see a pedestrian walking in the road to traverse that neighborhood.” Council Chair Hill suggested the council hold a work session on the issue in January. 
  • Thursday, November 30, 2023
    Chattanooga City Council OKs $20000 equity study in 7-2 vote - Northwest Georgia News
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  • Tuesday, November 28, 2023
    The City Council meeting room was packed Tuesday afternoon with families waiting to speak to the council in outrage after the Frazier Avenue wreck on Saturday afternoon that killed two pedestrians and critically injured a third. Local advocate Jon Jon Wesolowski was the first to describe “the Walnut Sreet Bridge dumping pedestrians onto that meatgrinder.” “It wasn’t a matter of if, it was a matter of when,” he said. Others said that the pace of Frazier Avenue is incompatible what Chattanoogans have lately built everywhere else in North Chattanooga and downtown. “I am devastated that we have had a loss of life that will be the catalyst of change,” said Vice Chairwoman Jenny Hill. “In this moment I think it’s important that we get every idea on the table.” Councilman Chip Henderson recalled a short traffic study in 2016 that cut Frazier Avenue down to two travel lanes to slow ...
  • Tuesday, November 14, 2023
    City Council votes to remove artwork near Chattanooga's Riverfront due to safety concerns - WTVC
    CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — UPDATE:Chattanooga City Council passed a resolution Tuesday to remove the light pillars on the city's pier by the Riverfront after safety concerns were raised.EARLIER:The City of Chattanooga says pillars of light on the city's pier by the Riverfront could pose a safety hazard.The lights have been in place for close to 20 years, and are part of an art project on Ross's Landing that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to build.But the wind recently damaged one of the pillars.Now, the city is faced with the choice of repairing the lights or replacing them. Back in 2005, the pillars were erected at a cost of $650,000. Most of that money came from foundations, and not taxpayers.City officials told us repairing the pillars would cost $250,000. That cost includes bringing them up to new wind codes.Brian Smith of the Chattanooga Parks Department told us tourists who visit the ...
  • Friday, November 10, 2023
    Warriors Set Free Director Steve Prince, left, and Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly celebrate the launch of a national pilot program offering all-inclusive services for homeless veterans, called Freedom Homestead photo by Hannah Campbell The Freedom Homestead national pilot program for homeless veterans celebrated a joint kickoff and homecoming in Chattanooga Friday. Freedom Homestead is the newest arm of Frontline Response, an Atlanta non-profit that helps people exit homelessness and sex trafficking. Chattanooga was announced as the host city of the all-inclusive care pilot at Frontline’s 20th anniversary celebration in Atlanta in October, beating Atlanta, Houston and Sacramento, Calif. The Freedom Homestead model’s through-line consolidation of both care and funding will make it effective and sustainable where other veteran services fall short, officials said. “We all come together to do what is considered impossible,” said state Rep. Yusuf Hakeem (D-28). “It’s what has come to be known as ‘The Chattanooga Way.’” ...
  • Tuesday, October 17, 2023
    The City Council on Tuesday reluctantly approved a new version of the Police Advisory Review Committee. Jenny Hill and Carol Berz voted against the resolution, which became necessary after the Legislature made drastic changes in the police review panels. The new law sets seven-member boards. The council said that leaves out two of the nine districts. It requires open meetings. Council members said that discussions of sensitive issues involving charges against officers sometimes needs to be private. The law says the committee reviews decisions by the police chief involving charges against officers after the fact. The council said the current PARC had been working closely with the police chief and having helpful input on her decisions. The new setup includes a new city employee - an executive director who will oversee police complaints. The executive director will not be a voting member of the board.
  • Tuesday, October 10, 2023
    Chattanooga Awarded $12.5 Million For 'Freedom Homestead' To Help Homeless Veterans - Chattanooga Pulse
    Mayor Tim Kelly, on behalf of the City of Chattanooga, is thrilled to share a major investment that will contribute significantly to supporting a vulnerable population of our community: Veterans experiencing homelessness.Frontline Response International, a faith-based non-profit organization based in Atlanta, will supply $12.5 million over three years to build a “Freedom Homestead” in Chattanooga, a 90-100 acre campus for veterans experiencing homelessness. The amount is expected to be maximized to $25 million over that period. Frontline Response chose Chattanooga over Atlanta, Georgia; Houston, Texas; and Sacramento, California due to the city’s favorable economic factors, proximity to its headquarters, and level of support given to the organization by the veterans in the community along with the  City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County. The announcement was made at the 20th anniversary celebration of the non-profit which raised $3.1 million last Thursday evening in Atlanta. “For more than a year, we have been having ...
  • Tuesday, October 03, 2023
    Chattanooga city council discusses mayor's $100 million plan to tackle affordable housing crisis - WTVC
    CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — City leaders in Chattanooga say they want to fix a decline in affordable housing across our area.Back in August, Mayor Tim Kelly said he wanted to commit $100-million to add new homes and policies over the next 5 years.Tuesday council members talked about putting that plan into action, with some sharing concerns.Tuesday we dug deeper into what the changes could mean for our community in the coming months.Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly says a recent market analysis shows that if nothing is done, Chattanooga could see a deficit of 7,000 affordable housing units by 2030.That sentiment was reiterated at Tuesday's council work session where chief housing officer Nicole Heyman says we're dealing with a housing crisis in Chattanooga.The housing action plan lays out a series of policy recommendations to guide the city of Chattanooga in the creation and preservation of affordable housing units.As part of the affordable housing ...
  • Thursday, April 13, 2023
    Unsheltered Homelessness In Hamilton County Reduced By Nearly 40 Percent During 2022 - Chattanooga Pulse
    The Kelly administration and its partners today announced a nearly 40 percent reduction in the number of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness in Hamilton County during 2022, marking record-breaking progress in the city’s work to end homelessness in Chattanooga. The point in time count for homelessness, conducted by the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition in January each year, showed a 39.8 percent reduction in the number of unsheltered people in the county from 2022 to 2023 — with an overall reduction (including temporarily sheltered people) of 31 percent. “Chattanooga was in the midst of a homelessness crisis when I took office, and with support from local and federal partners, we took bold and decisive steps to start solving it. The record-breaking progress we’ve made is a direct result of that work and a testament to what we can achieve when we work together,” said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly.“As Mayor, I’m incredibly grateful for our ...
  • Tuesday, April 04, 2023
    The City Council plans to vote on first reading next Tuesday on an expansion of the current noise ordinance. Councilwoman Carol Berz said it expands the current noise ordinance from downtown to the rest of the city. "Chattanooga is changing in many ways with people living closer together," she said. She said a number of new noise issues have arisen with the residential proximity. One change is that the ordinance will no longer include police officers using decibel meters to try to measure noise. She said, "That doesn't really work." At the same time, steps will be taken to research other methods to deal with noises such as loud mufflers and motorcycles. Councilwoman Jenny Hill recommended that the council turn to its research contract with UTC to provide data and possible solutions. Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod said she felt the city attorney's office might be able to get some of the ...
  • Tuesday, March 07, 2023
    Mayor Kelly Unveils Climate Action Plan - WDEF News 12
    An overview of some of the key components of the Climate Action Plan announced by Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. (Courtesy: City of Chattanooga)CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has unveiled one of the most ambitious plans of his tenure.Mayor Kelly believes that Chattanooga is a green city, but must continue to work to ensure that it maintains and expands that designation.This is why today, he unveiled a Climate Action Plan[1] that he hopes guide public policy in Chattanooga for the next generation. Mayor Kelly said, “What it is, is a wide, long ranging comprehensive plan to get Chattanooga to carbon neutral status by 2050.”The goal of having the city of Chattanooga at carbon neutral status is one of six primary goals of the Mayor’s Climate Action Plan.Among these goals in the plan include becoming a zero waste city, reducing disparities between communities, and positioning Chattanooga to be a leader ...
  • Thursday, February 16, 2023
    The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) board of directors elected Johan De Nysschen to be the new chairman of the board at its monthly meeting Thursday. The 11-member board includes nine new appointees by Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, who were approved by the City Council Tuesday. Eight appointees took the oath of office at CARTA’s Thursday meeting. Mr. De Nysschen, former chief operating officer for Volkswagen North America, told the board that autonomous vehicles are the future of public transportation and hinted at an eminent announcement from the city. “If you don’t continue to evolve, you’re going to get left behind,” he said. “We’ve got a very, very good idea of what’s next.” Mr. De Nysschen said high-tech auto companies would be attracted to “Gig City” and the area’s upward trajectory. He cited Chattanooga 2.0, an education collaborative for local children and young adults, and the new nuclear fuel ...
  • Friday, February 10, 2023
    Chattanooga City Council to vote Tuesday on new rules for short-term vacation rentals - Chattanooga Times Free Press
    Chattanooga City Council to vote Tuesday on new rules for short-term vacation rentals  Chattanooga Times Free Press
  • Tuesday, January 17, 2023
    The City Council is deferring for one week action on a Request for Proposals for upgrading the Airport Inn on Lee Highway for supportive services for the homeless. Council members spoke by video with Joda Thongnopnua, the mayor's chief of staff, about the project. Council members wanted some stronger language regarding safeguards that had been promised earlier through the mayor's "contract with the community." Council members spoke about the need for around the clock security, a fence at the rear, no tent camping and a ban on sex offenders. Officials said it is projected that the provider will need to spend at least $5.5 million in upgrading the old hotel. The Council was told that there could be two contracts - one for a developer on the project and another for a separate service provider. Councilwoman Carol Berz said it is expected that similar homeless supportive facilities will be place ...
  • Tuesday, December 20, 2022
    City officials said Tuesday that a compromise has been reached in connection with a rate increase for wrecker operators. The initial plan was to allow charges of $250 for towing passenger vehicles in the daytime and $275 during the evenings and weekends. Mayor Tim Kelly last Tuesday vetoed the ordinance passed by the City Council, saying he believed those rates were too high. He recommended $200 for towing passenger vehicles in the daytime and $215 during the evenings and weekends. The compromise announced on Tuesday afternoon was $225 for towing passenger vehicles in the daytime and $250 during the evenings and weekends. In addition, the wrecker charges will go up each January at a rate of inflation for the past year. City Attorney Phil Noblett said there was no need for a vote to override the veto in light of the compromise. Instead a new ordinance was to be considered ...
  • Thursday, November 10, 2022
    Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors reveals new park plan details - WDEF News 12
    Former NYC Parks and Rec Commissioner Mitchell Silver excited for Chattanoogans CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Former New York City Parks and Rec Commissioner Mitchell Silver is currently in Chattanooga looking into the city’s upcoming Parks and Outdoors Plan.That plan will be presented to City Council in February. Parks and Outdoors Administrator Scott Martin says it’s been 25 years since Chattanooga has had a planned parks and rec system.Fortunately for the community, he says that’s all about to change.“Every neighborhood should have a great park, just like Coolidge Park behind me now, that they can walk to and enjoy every day,” Martin said. “I think that’s really the big idea. Atlanta’s going to be a big city, Nashville’s going to be Music City USA. What if we’re the best place to raise a family at the end of the day? What if we’re the best place to live? We think that’s our ...