The Chattanooga Housing Authority board voted Friday to proceed on the controversial Fairmount Avenue apartments, though a number of North Chattanooga residents and Mayor Ron Littlefield oppose it.
The board, with no discussion, voted to pay the Hefferlin and Kronenberg firm $284,170 to draw up plans for the project.
Architect Craig Kronenberg gave a presentation to the board defending the development. "We are very proud of this project," he said.
He said sidewalks are probably not feasible on the narrow street, but he said there will be three pathways leading from the apartments.
He said slate siding will be used if it can be afforded. He said it is less expensive than brick. If it is too expensive, he said the siding would be cement fiberboard.
There will be one-bedroom and two-bedroom units.
The site plan shows parking surrounding two three-story buildings divided by green space. A third three-story building is off to the left. Mr. Kronenberg said an area is set aside for residents to plant gardens.
He said the location is within a half mile of CARTA bus stops, a medical center, a school and three churches.
He said the project will conform to "green community" criteria, which he said is similar to LEED certification.
Some 50-60 North Chattanooga residents - many of whom oppose the CHA plan to tear down a dilapidated apartment complex and rebuild - were at a hearing at City Hall on Thursday night.
Also attending was Mayor Littlefield, who said he has been taking his case to Housing and Urban Development officials. He said he spoke with a HUD official in Washington about it on Wednesday.
CHA officials indicated they plan to proceed with demolishing the old apartments and using stimulus funds to rebuild a project with a number of energy-efficient features.
CHA has agreed to downsize to 36 units instead of the planned 48.
HUD is due to supply $4.2 million for the smaller project rather than $4.8 million announced earlier.
Residents said the road off Forrest Avenue near Mississippi is narrow without sidewalks.
Also at the session were City Council members Sally Robinson and Debra Scott.
Residents put questions for CHA in a fish bowl and those were posed to Housing Authority officials.
Architect Craig Kronenberg
- Photo2 by Wes Schultz