The BLVD Project is a grassroots organization that seeks to improve safety, transportation, aesthetics and the business environment along the Rossville BLVD corridor. The corridor begins at the I-24 overpass and continues 2.2 miles south to the TN/GA State Line. The group is partnering with the Rossville Downtown Development Authority to host a cross-State Clean Up Day this Saturday from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
“We can do better”, says The BLVD Project Director Heather Herweyer about the entrance to Tennessee from Georgia.
When you cross the State Line into Tennessee, you’re greeted by boarded up buildings, overgrown weeds and graffiti. This has been the standard for many years that one local group is working to change. Rossville Downtown Development Authority Chairman Mike Hicks approached The BLVD Project with the idea after viewing a map that shows how the downtown areas are very connected and have the potential for future synergy.
On Saturday, The BLVD Project and the Rossville Downtown Development Authority are partnering together for the first ever State Line collaboration to revitalize the area.
"Both organizations have been working hard over the past few years to improve their side of the State Line," officials said. "Both groups have recently installed branding banners along lamp posts. Rossville has updated their zoning and The BLVD Project has worked with the City of Chattanooga for art and infrastructure related improvements.
"In preparation for the Clean Up Day, several building owners have put a new coat of paint on their buildings. The City of Chattanooga helped with re-striping crosswalks and weed-eating around tree bases."
The clean up day will focus on mulching, painting over graffiti, trash collection and plantings. Community members are invited to join. The kick-off and coffee will be at the future site of (be)caffeinated, 200 Chickamauga Ave. in Rossville at 8:30 a.m.