Mayor Kelly Updated Hixson Residents At Friends Of Hixson Coffee Meeting

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly provided a large audience at Valleybrook Golf and Country with updates on several important City of Chattanooga initiatives at the Friends of Hixson Community Coffee Meeting this week.

Officials said, "Mayor Kelly underscored the significance of localism, where each resident's participation is pivotal in our collective journey towards the One Chattanooga plan. He reiterated that effective governance lies in honoring commitments and not allowing political ideology to hinder progress. He reminded the audience of his pledge to enhance the quality of our city-owned roads, a promise he has fulfilled with the paving of over 200 lane miles in Hixson and more projects in the pipeline, including the Lake Resort Terrace project. He mentioned an alert system providing real-time information on train crossings, such as the Hamill Road Crossing, empowering motorists and first responders to choose alternative routes.

"Mayor Kelly took a moment to remind attendees of Chattanooga’s AAA Bond Rating, a rating surpassing even the Federal Government. He proudly shared that in a recent article in the Milken Institute’s Best Performing City rankings, Chattanooga climbed 26 spots to number 46. This significant leap, he explained, is a testament to his administration's focus on the One Chattanooga plan, a strategy that spurred economic growth, boosted wages and improved affordable housing and broadband. The fruits of this plan are evident in Hixson, with a new roof on the Hixson Community Center and robust economic growth, including the acquisition of Valleybrook Golf and Country Club by Urban Story Ventures. Two of the most significant economic developments in the history of Chattanooga, the Stadium Project and Urban Story Ventures' Bend Project, are set to inject over $2 billion into Chattanooga's future economic development.

"Mayor Kelly opened the floor for questions, and several residents expressed concerns about a proposed development from Pratt Home Builders that could negatively impact the Valleybrook Community in Hixson. Other questions focused on public safety, and the mayor acknowledged the understaffing and underpayment issues in the Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments. He mentioned that these concerns prevent police officers from dedicating time to traffic enforcement. Mayor Kelly also discussed the successful pilot program where a police officer is paired with a social worker to assist on mental health calls and the plan to expand this program. Questions about the 311 service and leaf pickup were addressed, with the mayor suggesting supplementing the current zone program with individual requests for 311. The meeting concluded with a discussion on parks and recreation, where the mayor highlighted Chattanooga’s competitive advantage of outdoor activities and the administration's focus on utilizing public resources, including connecting Hixson to the Riverwalk."

The FOH Community Coffee Meetings are always free and open to the public; all are welcome to attend. Visit friendsofhixson.org for information on upcoming meetings.