The city of Chattanooga and CBL, owner of Hamilton Place Mall, would have the mass of taxpayers believe that improving mall access from the interstate is not impacting us financially. Namely, CBL has committed to fund the city’s match of $8 million, so they will receive $32 million in Federal Transportation Funds that are allocated annually to local jurisdictions through the Metropolitan Planning Organization. The stated purpose is to improve mall access from the interstate. So, to create this public good component they color this as a Shallowford Road benefit. This project was on the 20 year long-range plan, not exactly a high priority.
Is improving mall access our highest priority in federal transportation roadway improvements?
The fact is $32 million is being diverted from real need in the city to improve CBL Mall access. .
What impact would $32 million have on the Wilcox tunnel, or much higher priorities. If CBL wants improved mall access, let them fund it entirely and use the taxpayers $32 million on real need in the community. The city is being dishonest stating the taxpayer funds will not be used. The $32 million in available to the city, and they are choosing to spend it at the mall.
The Federal Transportation funds are divided between municipalities, and our municipality is stating there is no higher priority than the mall access. Perhaps, they should get out more often.
No wonder the Wilcox Tunnel cannot get fixed, funds are diverted to lower priority projects. The corporate welfare crowd spends their time strategically accessing taxpayer funds that are allocated for real need and diverting the funds for their capital ventures.
Stop the public relations spin of public good, when in fact it is crony good.
April Eidson
aprile@comcast.net
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After reading April Eidson's letter regarding the proposed improvements to Hamilton Place I doubt that she has ever been to the mall and experienced the traffic jams around the Mall/Shallowford/Gunbarrel corridor. It has to be in the top three of congested areas in the city.
In addition the corridor is probably the largest generator of sales tax revenue and property taxes in the city. Any improvements to the egress and ingress of the area will greatly benefit the city in bringing in revenue from people who live outside the city and may even encourage greater development in the area.
CBL has agreed to contribute $8 million to the overall cost. Nowhere else could the city get as much, "bang for the buck," for their investment in this project.
Douglas Jones
Ooltewah