Firefighter Jason Nelson receives lifesaving award from Fire Chief Mike Williams and Vice Mayor Marc Gravitt
photo by Gail Perry
The East Ridge City Council is planning for the future by preparing for improvements to attract and handle more people and businesses. Spurred by new commercial development centered around the site of a new Bass Pro Shop near the I-75 Exit 1, the council passed a resolution Thursday night to show support for changes to the roadway.
The plan involves improving the intersection at Ringgold Road, Camp Jordan Parkway and the exit.
A traffic impact study has developed a plan that will add a traffic light and will do away with the cloverleaf configuration. It will have two left turn lanes, two lanes going straight and one turning right. The overpass itself will have three lanes in each direction, and the new route will act to insulate the residential area from all the traffic.
Mayor Brent Lambert said TDOT likes this plan because it helps capacity and traffic flow and eliminates some safety problems that now exist. It is in the best interest of East Ridge, he said. The project has been estimated to cost around $2.5-$3 million. With TDOT taking care of the engineering, said City Manager Andrew Hyatt, that leaves the city responsible for coming up with around $1.5 million. Mr. Hyatt is looking at possible sources for the money such as taking it from State Street Aid or by getting help from Hamilton County or contributions from the developer of the shopping center.
A location for the new fire hall to replace the one displaced by Bass Pro Shops has been found. It is at 1408-1410 St. Thomas Street. Engineers have been hired to inspect the location and the city expects to close on the purchase toward the end of March.
City Treasurer Thad Jablonski said it is an exciting time for East Ridge because of all the new development and said the financial report for February reflects growth. By the end of the month, $2.5 million had been collected from property taxes, and as of today, the city has received $4.3 million, which is 90 percent of what was budgeted. Local sales taxes are up 12 percent over this time last year, building permits are up 205 percent and income from all activities run by the parks and recreation department has shown an increase over last year. The sale of the former pool property has been completed and the payment of $580,000 has been made to the city.
In the continuing effort to attract more businesses and commercial activity, East Ridge is establishing a façade grant program to create more eye appeal in the city. Up to $10,000 of a $20,000 project for façade improvements will be reimbursed to a business for work that meets the specified qualifications. Enhancements to windows, lighting, signs, parking and landscaping are some of the upgrades being considered. Specifics will be determined at the next council meeting.
At a workshop meeting next Thursday at 5:30 p.m., a new sign ordinance will be discussed which may have an effect on the façade grant applications. The council is also creating an ordinance that will limit clusters of payday loan, title pawn and cash advance businesses along Ringgold Road.
Plans for the Fourth of July celebration are on track, said Stump Martin, director of parks and recreation. The Beaters will provide entertainment, and a barbecue cook-off is planned. The council approved an agreement with Atlanta Pyrotechnics International to provide a fireworks display for July 3 at 10 p.m. More money will be spent on the fireworks this year than the city has spent in the past. Up to $8,000 was approved for the display.
A bid of $11,062 for the purchase of fencing materials that will be installed by the city staff at the Camp Jordan Amphitheater was also given approval.
A special presentation was made at the Thursday night meeting to honor an East Ridge firefighter. On Jan. 17, Jason Nelson saved the life of a fellow firefighter who fell unconscious while fighting a fire. Vice Mayor and State Rep. Marc Gravitt presented Mr. Nelson with a plaque from the Tennessee House of Representatives, the Tennessee Senate, the Governor and other dignitaries in the state government commending and honoring him for bravery, quick thinking and saving her life when he pulled her to safety.