Development of the former BlueCross property at Lupton City is spurring talk of a Riverwalk on the Northshore.
The City Council discussed the topic on Tuesday night in giving final approval for a Planned Unit Development for Riverton on 210 acres.
Officials said there are no specific plans for a Northshore Riverwalk, but several groups are actively working to make a connection that would link North Chattanooga with the Cumberland Trail. It would go along the North Chickamauga Creekway and eventually tie in with Greenway Farm and on to Riverton, Rivermont Park and in the direction of Heritage Landing.
Becky English of the Riverton development said the group is interested in forging a number of connections to the mixed-use project, but wants to retain control of how any trail along the river is built.
The council went along with an amendment that does give Riverton control of any trail on its 3,300 linear feet of the Tennessee River.
Councilman Jerry Mitchell said that would be in line with the way the earlier sections of the Riverwalk were completed. He said the Trust for Public Land would approach a property owner and seek to gain an easement for a location projected for the trail.
Ms. English said the group has already been in talks with the North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy and others on a proposed trail.
She said plans are in the works to tie Riverton to the nearby Rivermont Park.
Ms. English said a trail at the river at Riverton would have to jut up toward the development on two places where there are inlets - unless one or more bridges were built.
Councilman Mitchell said a Northshore Riverwalk "at this point isn't a plan. It's more of a wish and a hope."