City Council Votes To Move To Public Hearing, Final Vote On Downtown Business Improvement District

  • Tuesday, June 25, 2019

The City Council on Tuesday night voted to move to a July 23 public hearing and final vote on setting up a controversial downtown Business Improvement District (BID).

In favor were Anthony Byrd, Darrin Ledford, Erskine Oglesby, Jerry Mitchell, Carol Berz and Chip Henderson. Voting no were Ken Smith and Russell Gilbert. Demetrus Coonrod abstained.

The local chapter of the NAACP said the plan would move the city back toward segregation and the Jim Crow laws.

The plan is to assess property owners within the district to pay for special services, including roving ambassadors who helped deal with the homeless and panhandlers, graffiti and litter. Landscaping and other improvements would be carried out. 

There would be a nine-member board.

Some $1 million in assessments are planned within the district.

Under state law, on July 23 there will be the public hearing and a final decision by the council.

City Attorney Phil Noblett said there had been a complaint filed that Chairman Oglesby had a conflict due to his relationship with the River City Company, which is heading up the BID.

Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 3/28/2024

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: ADERHOLT, FELICIA DAWN 1110 ST CLAIR ST DUNLAP, 37327 Age at Arrest: 37 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous ... more

Signal Mountain Must Determine How To Use Remainder Of ARPA Funds
  • 3/27/2024

The town of Signal Mountain has $358,637 remaining from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds it received and there must be a plan in place by the end of the year for how the money will be ... more

Chattanooga Man Gets 21-Year Sentence For Fentanyl Death Of 19-Year-Old
Chattanooga Man Gets 21-Year Sentence For Fentanyl Death Of 19-Year-Old
  • 3/27/2024

A 25-year-old Chattanooga man, was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison for supplying drugs that led to the death of 19-year-old Charlotte Gallant. Jonathan Bash appeared before Judge Curtis ... more