Officials have broken ground on Phase 2 of the seven-phase One Westside redevelopment project, marking another step in a sweeping effort to transform the city’s historic College Hill neighborhood.
The latest phase will bring 144 new mixed-income apartments to downtown Chattanooga, providing housing for residents relocating from College Hill Courts public housing as well as new tenants seeking affordable and moderately priced options. Construction is underway, with completion expected by the end of 2027.
The project is part of a broader initiative led by the Chattanooga Housing Authority and the city of Chattanooga, supported by a $50 million federal Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant that ranked first nationally.
When fully complete, One Westside will include 1,126 mixed-income housing units.
Phase 2 will be built on currently vacant land and follows a “build first” approach, allowing residents to move into new housing before older units are demolished. The development will replace aging public housing originally built more than 80 years ago.
Of the 144 units, 66 will be reserved for relocating public housing residents, while others will be priced at 60% and 80% of the area median income, with some offered at market rate. Plans include an elevator-served building, structured parking and access to public transit near downtown.
The $57.1 million phase is funded through a mix of federal, state and private financing, including support from HUD, the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Truist Bank, the city and the housing authority.
Chattanooga-based Grace Construction is serving as general contractor, with Columbia Residential leading development and management.
Phase 1 of the project, which includes 230 homes, is already under construction.
Room in the Inn launches youth homelessness pilot
Chattanooga Room in the Inn has launched a pilot Unaccompanied Youth Program to provide shelter and support for teenagers experiencing homelessness in Hamilton County.
Developed in partnership with Hamilton County Schools, the program will serve youth ages 16–18 who are not in the custody of a parent or legal guardian and are facing housing instability. The initiative aims to help students remain in school, build life skills and work toward long-term independence.
The program offers safe shelter, academic support, case management, life skills training and trauma-informed care. Hamilton County Schools will identify eligible students through its Families in Transition office and coordinate with Room in the Inn on services.
Room in the Inn is currently testing the model and exploring funding to expand it into a permanent program.
Nearly $1M grant aims to preserve Wauhatchie Battlefield land
The National Park Service has awarded nearly $1 million in Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants to protect a key 30-acre site tied to the Oct. 27, 1863, Battle of Wauhatchie, also known as Brown’s Ferry.
The $973,526.70 grant, issued through the City of Chattanooga, will be combined with roughly $450,000 in matching funds from the Tennessee Civil War Sites Preservation Fund and additional contributions, including a landowner donation, to secure the 30.72-acre parcel.
The site played a critical role during the Civil War when Union troops, besieged in Chattanooga and facing dwindling supplies, fought to establish the “Cracker Line,” a supply route that helped sustain their position.
Fitness Central expands to N. Holtzclaw Avenue
Fitness Central plans to open a new 37,000-square-foot training facility at 515 N. Holtzclaw Avenue, replacing its originally proposed location on Rossville Avenue.
The new site offers significantly more space and design flexibility, allowing the Chattanooga-based gym to develop a more comprehensive training environment for its growing membership base, says co-owner Kevin Roenpage.
The facility is expected to open in phases, with a soft launch scheduled for April 1. The initial phase will focus on a high-performance training environment featuring Arsenal Strength equipment, a full range of free weights and cardio machines.
Additional amenities will be introduced over time, including locker rooms with sauna, steam room and hot and cold plunge options; expanded training areas with group fitness rooms and outdoor workout space; specialty studios for cycling, reformer Pilates and yoga; child care services; and a VIP member area offering recovery and wellness features.
Existing members will receive access to both its East and Downtown locations while maintaining current membership rates.
More information is available at fitnesscentralcha.com.
HCS highlights progress at annual address
Hamilton County Schools welcomed more than 350 staff, community members and local leaders to its annual State of the System address at Red Bank High School March 23, highlighting a year of student success and district progress.
Attendees included Mayor Weston Wamp, members of the Hamilton County Board of Education, district staff and community partners. Students from the Superintendent’s Student Leadership Council hosted the event, guiding presentations that focused on key achievements such as the district’s Advancing District Designation, its highest graduation rate on record, strong teacher retention and ongoing efforts to strengthen student connection and belonging.
Students, educators and district leaders shared examples of how those priorities are being implemented across schools. Clifton Hills Elementary Principal Lindsay Starnes and teacher Alicia Young joined Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson to discuss how clear instructional expectations paired with school-level flexibility are driving academic growth.
The program also featured three graduating seniors who spoke about their paths to success, highlighting opportunities ranging from JROTC to hands-on career training and specialized programs.