After more than five years of study, a major reason given for not publicly disclosing and discussing locations under consideration for a new firing range is that transparency might cause the price of the land in question to go up. That fear might be plausible except for the fact that local governments have the power (if needed) to acquire property at or near a fair market appraised value through eminent domain. But all of that aside, here are several sites that are currently in public hands or that might be obtained at a very reasonable and negotiable price. In any event, the cost of the land isn’t the most important factor. It’s much more important that the site be well situated, usable and accessible.
At the risk of becoming repetitious and tiresome, let me once again stress how the long delay in moving the firing range has been a serious impediment to development of Moccasin Bend National Park - a transformative opportunity that Chattanooga has pursued since the 1950’s and something that would be the envy of any other community. But since we have waited this long, perhaps it would be better to develop a more comprehensive public safety training center for all emergency services - and particularly one that could attract, engage and direct local youth toward a career in public service. Here are four candidate locations:
Site One: The Harriet Tubman property on Roanoke Avenue (40 acres)
Site Two: The “New Acid Plant” location at Enterprise South (25-50 acres - or more)
Site Three: The Former State Highway Department location on Cromwell Road (33.5 acres)
Site Four: The Former Velsicol Plant location on Central Avenue in Alton Park (41 acres)
These are only four of the possibilities. No doubt there are more. Without going into exhaustive detail, let’s just say that all of these sites have special characteristics that relate well to repurposing as a training center. Some have usable structures and paved streets and other features that are almost ready made for such use. In fact, choosing to go forward with one of these properties might actually be a quicker solution to the need to expeditiously relocate the police range than continuing to pursue the mysterious secret location that has been promised for so many months.
In any event, the entire issue and the possible solutions should be the subject of open public discussion and debate - that’s how Chattanooga became the “Most Transformed City in America” and that’s how we should move forward.
Ron Littlefield