North Chattanooga merchants will find a little coal in their Christmas stockings early this year.
Their end of the Walnut Street Bridge is scheduled to close for repairs on Dec. 10, so workers can begin extensive repairs which officials believe will take five months to complete.
Members of the merchants association have been told about the impending closure, City Council members were told Tuesday afternoon during a committee session.
"They weren't too happy," one official observed.
The affected section of the bridge was not included in the major
reconstruction completed in the early 1990s, officials said, because it was not in need of repair at that time.
Now it is.
Once the work has been completed, the section will be wooden just like the rest of the bridge.
In other action, council members were urged to attend an informational hearing on proposed changes in the city's water quality program that will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday.
Mayor Ron Littlefield will be the first speaker at that hearing, officials said.
The proposed changes in the water quality program - particularly the hefty fee increases - have caused widespread consternation among Chattanooga residents - particularly in the business community.
"They're frustrated," Councilman Jack Benson observed. "We're all frustrated."
The council spent more time going over the capital budget, but still did not cover it all.
The capital budget talks will continue next Tuesday.
Mayor Littlefield said the city could get by with $150,000 toward a new police precinct on 11th Street this year, but would need the remaining $150,000 the next year.
Councilman Peter Murphy said the city sticker at $5 per year "is awfully low." He said the next lowest sticker fee in the state is $25 in Jackson.
Officials said the city sticker brings in $450,000 per year.
Councilman Murphy said it should not be raised "anywhere near the $25 in Jackson," but the city should either do away with it or adjust it so it can bring in more income.
Councilman Manny Rico said it is not a time to raise the fee.
The capital budget includes $50,000 to extend the Riverwalk to the Alstom property from Ross's Landing.
Mayor Littlefield said that was a promise made to Alstom to help land a $300 million expansion.