Chattanooga to Redevelop City-Owned Properties to Keep Innovation District Momentum

Two underutilized buildings have been proposed as a catalyst for inclusive development in the Edney Innovation District.

1 minute read

April 26, 2018, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Tennessee

Kenneth Sponsler / Shutterstock

"Four years after establishing the Innovation District downtown, Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke is offering a couple of under-utilized municipal buildings within the district for possible redevelopment for affordable housing and innovative office space," reports Dave Flessner.

The City Hall Annex, one of the two city-owned buildings proposed for redevelopment, currently houses the city's IT, 311 agency, and City Attorney's office. An entire floor is currently unoccupied. The other city-owned building, a former wellness center, now houses a few of the city's facilities management and engineering employees.

The redevelopment plans are included in "A newly released plan for the Innovation District recommends the addition of more modern office space and testing facilities, along with the development of more affordable housing for those working on startup ventures," according to Flessner.

Mayor Berke discussed the new Innovation District plan in the annual State of the City address, which meant there's no shortage of talking points about the successes of the Innovation District since its creation in 2014. An article by Alexis Lipsitz Flippin provides additional background on the innovation district.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 in Chattanooga Times Free Press

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30 - Yale Environment 360