Rural King 1 Report post Posted October 16, 2005 There is a distinct lack of representation and news from the Eastern Grand Division compared to the Middle and Western Divisions. So whats going on out there in regards to urban development? There has to be alot going on thats passing under our radar here, so what are we missing? I would like to try to churn up some interest in our forum from East Tennesseans. So if anyone has access to information and news from the cities in the Eastern Grand Division please share it here or start a new thread on it; and if you're a lurker from East Tennessee please feel free to sign up and help give the Eastern Division more representation here on the forum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCB 1 Report post Posted October 16, 2005 (edited) I was up in Knoxville in early September, and their seemed to be alot of construction going on throughout the area. I wasnt able to look into the projects, but there seemed to be plenty of action. Edited October 16, 2005 by NCB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hankster 6 Report post Posted October 16, 2005 There's quite a bit going on in Chattanooga as well. Some significant developments include: Contruction of the 10 Story Electric Power Board Headquarters in Downtown (Completion by end of this year) Construction of $200 Million 800,000 Sq Ft Headquarters for Blue Cross Blue Shield (Start Jan. '06) Development of Enterprise South Industrial Mega-Site (rumored in the running for large Auto Assembly Plant) Expansion of US Express corporate headquarters adding 1,000 jobs (U/C) $2.1 Billion in Construction from early 2001 to early 2005. $120 Million Waterfront Project and Aquarium Expansion - Complete this summer Construction of several downtown condo projects including a seven story condo downtown next to Aquarium. These are but some of the developments. The Chamber of Commerce web site lists some of the significant developments over the last few years. For details of any of the projects listed below just click this link: Chattanooga Projects SEPTEMBER 2005 Sulzer Pumps Expands, Adds New Jobs AUGUST 2005 Wrigley Creates New Jobs, Expands Chattanooga Facility T-Mobile Brings 700 Jobs to Chattanooga JUNE 2005 Ford Motor Chairman and CEO Lauds Local Innovation American Eagle Begins Service Between Chattanooga and Dallas/Fort Worth cre824 Brings Web's Best to Scenic City MAY 2005 Enterprise South Industrial Park Certified in TVA Megasite Program Twice Daily Flights From Chattanooga to Houston Starting in October APRIL 2005 City, County Take Control of Remaining Land at Enterprise South DUSA Announces Partners with City and County to Keep Jobs in Area FEBRUARY 2005 Wind Tower Manufacturer Will Add 150 Jobs in Three Years BlueCross BlueShield Announces $200 Million Campus in Downtown Chattanooga City Enjoys $2.1 Billion in Investment Since April 2001 JANUARY 2005 LJT Tennessee Plans $7.38 Million Expansion Chattanooga Airport Gains Additional Flights Clarity Introduces New Continuous Service Phone for Hearing- Impaired OCTOBER 2004 Kingdom Media Launches New Concept in Billboard Advertising SEPTEMBER 2004 Mayor Bob Corker Outlines Programming for New 23 Acre Park EPB Puts More Than One Million Dollars Back into Local Community Smart Furniture Closes Venture Capital Funding NewRoads Announces Business Expansion Plans AUGUST 2004 AAkron Rule Corporation Expands in Hamilton County TMIO Locates Manufacturing Operation in Chattanooga Tricycle Receives Venture Capital Funding Interstate Interchange for Enterprise South Underway Enterprise South Closer to Megasite Certification Clarity Dedicates New Headquarters in Chattanooga Techno-Visionary Keynoter at Chamber Annual Meeting JUNE 2004 Tricycle Wins Third NeoCon Award Luxury Hotel Company Assumes Sheraton Read House Management MAY 2004 U.S. Xpress Expansion Adds Up to 1000 New Jobs AquaShield Wins Kruesi Award at Chamber Innovation Event APRIL 2004 Southern Living Calls Chattanooga "Little City that Could" NuMarkets Opens EBay Center in Chattanooga Inc. Magazine Features First Enterprise South Tenant Smart Furniture Honored for Customer Service TAG Manufacturing Locates at Enterprise South Industrial Park FEBRUARY 2004 Tennessee Rand Announces Expansion Plans JANUARY 2004 State Lottery Director Keynote Speaker at Chamber Luncheon Krystal offers WiFi Internet Access in Lee Highway Restaurant DECEMBER 2003 Chattanooga's Going Places as 'Belle of the Ball' Governor Hails Enterprise South as a Premiere Industrial Site Chattanooga Honored as Bike-Friendly City Enterprise Center Receives $3.5 Million NOVEMBER 2003 Governor, Mayors Officiate at Enterprise South Milestone Ceremony EPB Wins Award for Annual Reports South Korean Tourist Spot is Chattanooga's New Sister City EPB Telecom Offers Fast, Fiber-optic Internet Service Southern Living Applauds Chattanooga and Tennessee Ballet OCTOBER 2003 Chamber Fields Team to Visit, Assist Businesses in Six Counties Margaret Callihan Named ATHENA AWARD Recipient Four Chattanooga Companies Selected for Venture Forum Work to Begin on I-75 Interchange for Enterprise South Ruth Holmberg Featured at ATHENA Luncheon SEPTEMBER 2003 Campaign Launched to Brand Chattanooga as a Great Business City Chattanooga Hosts Tennessee Valley Technology Summit Chamber Video, Web Site Honored by IDEC in Cincinnati World Trade Society Formed to Promote Business, Cultural Relationships AUGUST 2003 Tennessee Valley Technology Corridor Summit set for Oct. 5 JUNE 2003 EPB Breaks Ground on New 10 Story Downtown Office Building Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rural King 1 Report post Posted October 16, 2005 ^ @Hankster - Good stuff!! Is the Blue Cross Blue Shield HQ going to be downtown? That mega-site thats in the running in Chattanooga is a good deal. I really hope it can pull in a plant, it would be a great for the city and immediate region. I think that site and the ones its in the running with in Georgia, SC, etc are competing for a European manufacturer from what I have read. Do you know if that is correct? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smeagolsfree 6989 Report post Posted October 16, 2005 I am from Kingsport and visit there several times a year. The major thing that is happening there is the old Kingsport Mall site was mostly torn down and a new development with Goodys, Office Max, and several othere good size storeshave been built along with a number of rest. There was a large expansion at Weyerhaeuser's plant there but othere than that not a lot happening. The economy is down a little because of lay offs and plants closings. The Eastman Chemicl facility is an impressive site to see and have been looking for a good picture to post. The main plant is about a 1/2 to 3/4 mile wide and a mile or so long. Nothing but 6 to 8 story buildings, smoke stacks, and metal pipes Johnson City is the more progressive of the cities up there and has a lot more growth. I have not had a chance to go there in a while, but as a whole development in the Tri-cities seems to be slow as compared to Mddle Tn and the rest of the state. It would be great to have a set of eyes up there because you cant see the big picture in a visit or two because the area is so large. I havent beeen to Bristol in years so I have no idea of what is happening there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hankster 6 Report post Posted October 17, 2005 (edited) ^ @Hankster - Good stuff!! Is the Blue Cross Blue Shield HQ going to be downtown? That mega-site thats in the running in Chattanooga is a good deal. I really hope it can pull in a plant, it would be a great for the city and immediate region. I think that site and the ones its in the running with in Georgia, SC, etc are competing for a European manufacturer from what I have read. Do you know if that is correct? The Blue Cross Blue Shield HQ will be located on top of Cameron Hill, overlooking the Central Business District and the waterfront. I've now seen a rendering for the building; but I know this site has awesome visibility. It should be an awesome project since the budget has recently been increased to about $217 Million. As soon as I see a rendering I'll post it. There are all kinds of rumors about as to who's in the running for the Chattanooga mega-site. I heard Kia was interested, but I believe I've heard they may be interested in the West Tennessee site too. If I hear anything, I'll let you know. Edited October 17, 2005 by Hankster Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hankster 6 Report post Posted October 17, 2005 Does anyone have a project list or update on what's going on in Knoxville? Knoxville is the fastest growing metro area in East Tennessee, and I know there is quite a bit going on there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCB 1 Report post Posted October 17, 2005 ^^Great info, Hankster. There seems to be alot going on in Chattanooga! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TennBear 0 Report post Posted October 17, 2005 (edited) Here is the site for a company that is handling a large number of the Chattanooga projects. http://www.kinseypro.com/projects.html Edited October 19, 2005 by TennBear Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rural King 1 Report post Posted October 17, 2005 Nice site. Interesting projects that firm is handling. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
william 0 Report post Posted October 18, 2005 RK, I was in Knoxville about one month ago. Stayed downtown one night. Drove all over the central core of the city. Here is a quick run-down: Gay Street is being overhauled, mainly with residential. There is a 16-theater multiplex planned for Gay (it will look and function in an urban manner). I read a piece in the Metro Pulse regarding the proposed improvement of Jackson (to tie Gay and Central together where Old City is). Mechanicsville (an historic African-American neighborhood on the near north side) has lots of new historic replica homes. Good effort. Fourth and Gill (the hippest of Old North Knoxville neighborhoods) continues to make progress. South Knoxville is rough. And Fort Sanders (on the west side and bordering the UT campus) has been brutalized by random crap development. The Fort, however, does have a new pocket park that seems nice. East Knoxville has a great old street, Magnolia, with some historic neighborhoods on either side. But it could be years before that area is improved. Overall, Knoxville is making strides on reinventing its urban core. But it remains significantly far behind Chattanooga, Memphis and Nashville. William Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rural King 1 Report post Posted October 18, 2005 Thanks for the update! I would love to see a few Knoxville forumers crop up. There is so much the forum is missing out on IMO not having a few active Knoxvillians on the site. Come to think of it, where's Nashvol, he's in Knoxville? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCT 1 Report post Posted October 18, 2005 There is an interesting article about urban development in Chattanooga in the November issue of Metropolis. Check it out: http://www.metropolismag.com/cda/story.php?artid=1588 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rural King 1 Report post Posted October 19, 2005 ^ That source requires you to sign up to access it, which means most of us can't link. Could you fill us in on what the article was about? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TennBear 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2005 Here is the site for a company that is handling a large number of the Chattanooga projects. http://www.kinseypro.com/projects.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hankster 6 Report post Posted October 22, 2005 I found this awesome site which outlines developments just completed and currently under construction in the Downtown Chattanooga area. As you can see, the list is amazing. Chattanooga Downtown Development I've been able to find some renderings of some of the developments outlined in the article above: Cherry Street Townhomes (Beautiful Brownstones - will be completed very soon - already sold out) Museum Bluffs Condominiums ( Seven Story Condos overlooking the Tennessee River - U/C complete 2006) Here's a Link to Other Project Renderings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HABANERO7 0 Report post Posted October 25, 2005 Another area of busy development in East Tennessee is Cleveland. There are currently a few commercial developments either almost done or in the works... The Garden Plaza at Cleveland is scheduled to open in the next few months. The building is a 6 story 180,000 sq ft 8-million dollar complex located right on one of Cleveland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rural King 1 Report post Posted October 25, 2005 ^WOW!!!! Thanks!!! This is exactly the type of news and info I was hoping to get on the cities out in East Tennessee we don't get to hear about! (note: @Hankster you keep us up on Chattanooga; which I really appreciate too.) Welcome to the forum HABANERO7! I really hope you stick around and join into the discussions we have. Hankster needs some company representing the Eastern Grand Division. Are you from Cleveland? Again, I really appreciate you joining the forum and posting all that great info. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HABANERO7 0 Report post Posted October 25, 2005 (edited) Are you from Cleveland? Again, I really appreciate you joining the forum and posting all that great info. Yes, I am a Born and raised Cleveland resident. As I was reading over the forums the past few weeks I noticed just what u are talking about. A lack of information outside of the Nashville and Memphis areas. I have more info that covers the Cleveland area, I just want to make sure facts and figures are correct before I post. There are some neat things in the works over the next couple of years here with commerical development in the pipeline ranging in the hundreds of thousands of square feet, plus there is a possibality of a 20 to 30 million dollar arena and civic center as well. As information presents itself to me, and I can confirm, I will be sure to post and keep the board up on whats happening in SE Tennessee. Edited October 25, 2005 by HABANERO7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hankster 6 Report post Posted October 25, 2005 Yes, I am a Born and raised Cleveland resident. As I was reading over the forums the past few weeks I noticed just what u are talking about. A lack of information outside of the Nashville and Memphis areas. I have more info that covers the Cleveland area, I just want to make sure facts and figures are correct before I post. There are some neat things in the works over the next couple of years here with commerical development in the pipeline ranging in the hundreds of thousands of square feet, plus there is a possibality of a 20 to 30 million dollar arena and civic center as well. As information presents itself to me, and I can confirm, I will be sure to post and keep the board up on whats happening in SE Tennessee. Welcome to the forum, neighbor!!! And thanks for the update on Cleveland. Cleveland is a great town and I love the location so close to the Ocoee Gorge and the southern appalachians. I work with a bunch of guys who live in Cleveland, especially since I work at McKee Foods (maker of Little Debbie snacks) in Collegedale, just a hop, skip, and a jump from you. Now, if we could only get some more participation from the rest of East Tennessee. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HABANERO7 0 Report post Posted October 26, 2005 Thanks for the warm welcome. I look forward to getting the inside scoop and giving the inside scoop about local happenings in east Tennessee. Down in Chattanooga with the development of exit 9 and the connection through the old tnt plant over to 58 have you heard about what is in the works as far as prospective tenants to the Enterprise South Industrial Park? I heard talk of a potential tenant that would create approx. 1500 jobs at the start with a cap in the 5,000 range. Whatever the case the development of that land will only help to explode growth in the Ooltewah, Collegedale, Apison, Snowhill, McDonald, and Bancroft areas of eastern Hamilton and western Bradley counties. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TennBear 0 Report post Posted October 26, 2005 Welcome to the forum, neighbor!!! And thanks for the update on Cleveland. Cleveland is a great town and I love the location so close to the Ocoee Gorge and the southern appalachians. I work with a bunch of guys who live in Cleveland, especially since I work at McKee Foods (maker of Little Debbie snacks) in Collegedale, just a hop, skip, and a jump from you. Now, if we could only get some more participation from the rest of East Tennessee. You say that you work at the McKee Baking Company. The woman that I dated many years ago while at the University of Tennessee used to work there. The last I remembered she was working at a TV station in Chattanooga, I believe. Her maiden name was Lynn Blanton, but you might have known her as Lynn Johnson. She lives in Ooltewah. Of course she may have been there before your time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hankster 6 Report post Posted October 27, 2005 You say that you work at the McKee Baking Company. The woman that I dated many years ago while at the University of Tennessee used to work there. The last I remembered she was working at a TV station in Chattanooga, I believe. Her maiden name was Lynn Blanton, but you might have known her as Lynn Johnson. She lives in Ooltewah. Of course she may have been there before your time. I don't know her, but I'll do a little checking. If I find out anything I'll let you know. As for what may be going in Enterprise South, I haven't heard anything except rumors of a possible Auto Assembly plant, possibly Kia. I'm anxiously waiting for an announcement. If we get one, it will be huge news for the area, especially for Hamilton and Bradley Counties. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rural King 1 Report post Posted October 27, 2005 ^ I'm really excited too about the Enterprise South too. I'm all for huge manufacturing ventures (ie auto assemby and/or component makers) moving to TN that will provide Tennesseans good paying jobs with benefits. Their impact can be astounding from what I have read and seen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TennBear 0 Report post Posted October 27, 2005 For those of you that are interested in business growth in the South. Southern Business and Development might be of interest. http://www.sb-d.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
