County Mayor Jim Coppinger with Jody Sliger, state ThreeStar director
County Mayor Jim Coppinger said at a press conference Tuesday that the county is making plans to develop the 250-acre Pinky's Point on Lake Chickamauga as a tourist destination.
The county mayor called the remote property "a real gem" and said consultants will draw up plans on how it can be better utilized by local residents as well as visitors who contribute to the local economy.
He said, "This is a beautiful piece of lakefront property. We want to make it an exciting place for people to enjoy."
The county won a $20,000 tourism enhancement grant from the state that will be matched with $20,000 from the county for the study. There were 61 applicants for the grant with 29 selected.
The county has a month-to-month lease with TVA for use of Pinky's Point and is seeking a long-term lease.
Pinky's Point is on the same side of the lake as Chester Frost Park and is about a mile and a half away.
It is now open for day use, but has no amenities.
Lee Norris said examining additional uses for Pinky's Point was one of his first assignments as general services administrator. He said "everything seems to be coming together" to make it a new county attraction.
He said, "It's one of the prettiest pieces of property I've ever seen."
There will be a community meeting to get public input on the project.
At press conference