Walnut Plaza has fully reopened, creating a central gathering space in one of the most popular places in Downtown Chattanooga. The project is the most recently completed component of the Ramble Master Plan, which details a set of standards for downtown spaces and the elements needed to create a new urban pedestrian promenade to connect the already treasured downtown destinations including the Tennessee Aquarium and Hunter Museum.
Designed by WMWA Landscape Architects, the re-envisioned Walnut Plaza highlights solutions that address the challenges of reconfiguring urban spaces to be more accommodating to pedestrians and bikers. At the nexus of the Walnut Street Bridge and Holmberg Bridge, a large oval plaza will allow for a wide variety of uses, including formal and informal gatherings, performances and festivals. The Holmberg Bridge also received a makeover with new lighting and replacement of the glass walkway.
The Plaza renovations incorporated the use of local materials, including Tennessee sandstone stairs, wall caps and pavers with custom wood and steel benches to match the geometry of the oval.
Recently dedicated in the Plaza, The Ed Johnson Memorial by artist Jerome Meadows, is a permanent public art installation that strives to promote racial healing and reconciliation by acknowledging the lynching of Ed Johnson, honoring the courageous work by his attorneys, and recognizing the resulting U.S. Supreme Court case that established federal oversight of state-level civil rights issues.
"For over a century, Ed Johnson's name was associated with shame and guilt. Chattanooga came together in this time of national division and chose truth and honor for Ed Johnson, Styles Hutchens and the other victims of lynching in Hamilton County," said Donivan Brown, chair of the Ed Johnson Memorial Committee.
Additional projects outlined in the Ramble Master Plan will be started in the next few months, including improving pedestrian safety at the crossing of 1st Street and Market Street.
“Over 2300 community members provided input in our ONE Riverfront Plan. The new Walnut Plaza reflects those community voices in establishing a sense of place, providing opportunity to learn about our history, along with creating better connections within the Riverfront District. We are excited to continue our work to revitalize, reinvigorate and reimagine the Riverfront over the next few years,” said Emily Mack, president .nd CEO of River City Company.
"The Walnut Plaza is a gorgeously reimagined space, welcoming to both visitors and locals alike, grounded in natural materials that highlight the beauty of our region and in a way that embraces the pedestrian," said Mayor Tim Kelly. "I know City of Chattanooga staff brought their creativity, dedication and ingenuity to help envision, finance and construct this civic amenity that will enhance quality of life and place for generations to come, and for that I'm grateful."
The Walnut Plaza renovations were made possible by the City of Chattanooga, Benwood Foundation and Lyndhurst Foundation, with support by River City Company, WMWA Landscape Architects, Chazen - A LaBella Company and The Lighting Practice.
