Downtown Potential (Chattanooga, Midtown: condo, houses, movie theater)

[Grizzlybear34]

Chattanooga Times Free Press | Market̢۪s 700 block sits while developer pulls together project

As a visitor last October, this area has potential. There was some shopping, but it wasn't that great. Now I'm not expecting the Magnificent Mile like they have in Chicago, but with a little effort, maybe it could be created into the Pretty Cool Quarter Mile. No high rises, maybe 4 - 5 stories. Big book store, some newer clothing stores, one larger department store, etc.

Is the Hamilton Mall the area's only mall? It was nice, it is what you would expect, but you could place a real nice shopping district and that close to the riverfront, could really draw more tourists. My two cents.

Moderator cut: link cut copy write issues

[Grizzlybear34]

Chattanooga Times Free Press | Border war won’t derail hope for high-speed train

And if this ever becomes a reality, Chattanooga could really flourish. The beauty of the mountains and river, the Cumberland Plateau, and a beautiful clean downtown area with shops and restaurants. Nice...

[SPLIT]

G: There is the big Hixon Mall for people on the West side of the river. Intersection of Rt #153 & Hixon Pike. Inside border by Sears, J.C. Penny, Library , Inside multi Movie Theater, Panera Bread, etc, Food chains.
. . Down town just North of the C,Choo Choo is the three story mfg or Warehouse Mall (?) glass fronts breeze - walkways, still not up to capacity IMO, Near court-houses, plaza parks,(Miller)?
. . East Brainard has Mall, but lately many employers, Call centers are in there , Convergsis, Blue cross, library, etc.
"Miracle Mile" was a trade name for Vero Beach, East Fla coast where I covered. Developers took the old dead end street going to a bridge, and Re-named Royal Palm Point, with dancing fountains for kids, Doctors offices, now condo, upscale restaurant, GoldMIne.
. Warm weather this weekend , tree, flowers will pop next week.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Grizzlybear34

Chattanooga Times Free Press | Border war won’t derail hope for high-speed train

And if this ever becomes a reality, Chattanooga could really flourish. The beauty of the mountains and river, the Cumberland Plateau, and a beautiful clean downtown area with shops and restaurants. Nice...

They've been talking about this high speed rail for many years, and it really hasn't progressed very far. Atlanta needs a complete overhaul as far as Mayor/city leaders go in order to get it done, as part of the overall plan includes a multi-modal transportation station in downtown Atlanta - something none of our last few Mayors have been able to organize and get going properly. The governor Sonny Perdue has also in press interviews in the past has made it extremely clear that he is in no way interested in or supports "public transit" - of which technically a high speed rail would be considered. Make no mistake - this guy is BACKWARD as all get out.

The "plan" was to have the rail leave the Atlanta airport, connect via the multi-use station in downtown Atlanta (which again, still doesn't exist), and then head north with about 2-3 stops along the way, to then connect to the Chattanooga Airport. Actually, since Chattanooga seems to get stuff done quicker and easier than Atlanta in some cases, the city may want to think about adding a rail station of their own in downtown Chattanooga near the Aquarium/tourist area. After leaving the airport, the train would actually stop THERE instead, before turning around to head back to Atlanta.

I'd ride the thing regularly if it existed, but at 42, I'm afraid I'll be retired and too old to deal with it by the time it actually exists.

[Grizzlybear34]

Greg - I hear you, I hope that brighter minds get a hold of this thing. I definitely agree that a stop at the Aquarium would be in order, if the train gets off the ground.

[Katsmeeyow]

Sounds good to me!

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Grizzlybear34

Greg - I hear you, I hope that brighter minds get a hold of this thing. I definitely agree that a stop at the Aquarium would be in order, if the train gets off the ground.

I really wouldn't hold your breath, unless the Feds step in to fund the train (unlikely). As I said earlier, our current Governor has outwardly said he could care less about any kind of transit that doesn't travel on paved roads, so until there is another administration in place, I doubt any state funding will be shelled out for it.

Likewise, the city of Atlanta just "discovered" they have a 70 million dollar shortfall on what they spent last year - as in, 70 million extra dollars they spent, but that they can't account for where it went yet. They were just about to being a streetcar/light rail project for the downtown/Midtown area and now it's been said that due to this blunder, that whole project is either shelved for some time, or just completely dead. It would be safe to assume that any monies that were to go toward a multi-use transit station downtown or any city money that would have gone into the high speed GA/TN rail has also been flushed down the john due to this accounting blunder as well.

[Grizzlybear34]

Greg - I'll be looking down my way for $1 million of that!

Thanks for posting this info. Very good education for all of us.