Leaders of the Atlanta-based Purpose Built organization, including former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, told the City Council on Tuesday that Chattanooga could see a similar transformation as occurred at East Lake in Atlanta.
Carol Naughton, Purpose Built senior vice president, said the group began the process to turn around a public housing site at East Lake in 1995. She said at the time there were 1,400 people living in 650 apartments on 54 acres. She said crime was high and educational attainment very low.
The site was cleared and new mixed-income apartments built in place of the public housing. Half the units are market rate, while the remainder are for residents who qualify for public housing.
There are now 2,100 people living at East Lake in 542 units.
Ms. Naughton said crime is down 73 percent and educational attainment is soaring.
She said part of the key is to have supportive facilities, including an early learning center, a charter school, a health clinic, a grocery and other commercial units.
Mayor Ron Littlefield, who introduced the speakers, said the next step would be to hold a public hearing in February.
He said a specific site has not been selected, but officials are studying Harriet Tubman, Poss Homes or the Westside for the makeover.
Some in the audience wanted to speak, but they were told there will be "plenty of public input" later in the process.