Agenda Items & Discussion

• Overview & Purpose (Councilman Clark, District 5): Councilman Clark opened the town hall, framing it as a conversation about what Chattanooga can do to preserve its historic architectural heritage across the downtown corridor (“river to the ridge”) and the cultural legacy of historically Black communities including Bushtown and Lincoln Park.
• Lincoln Park Preservation: Tiffany Rankings spoke on behalf of the community’s effort to save Lincoln Park. She described challenges in securing permission to use the park and expressed the community’s strong desire to see it preserved for future generations.
• Panel Discussion — Historic Preservation Experts: Ray Basset, host and producer of Scenic Roots on WUTC public radio (UTC), moderated a panel of preservation experts and community members. Discussion covered the role of community identity in driving neighborhood vitality, the value of neighborhood markers and signage (such as “Orchard Park” and “Glennwood” signs), and how preservation efforts help young people connect with local history.
• Historic African-American Spaces — Bushtown & Beyond: Community members shared personal memories of places like the Bushtown nine-hole golf course, Lincoln Park athletic fields, and recreational spaces across neighborhoods including Summit, Bakewell, and Blowing Springs. Speakers expressed grief over the deterioration of these once-vibrant spaces and called for action to preserve what remains.
• Neighborhood Identity & Community Pride: Panelists and attendees emphasized that communities—not city hall—are the driving force of a city’s character. Speakers called for more promotion of neighborhood identity and community belonging, particularly for younger generations.
• Closing Remarks: Councilmen Harvey and Ron Elliot (District 9, representing Missionary Ridge and surrounding neighborhoods) gave closing remarks. Elliot praised Councilman Clark for organizing the event and highlighted the unique historic character of his own district.

Key Decisions & Votes

• No formal votes taken: This was a community town hall and listening session. No binding votes or ordinances were acted upon. The event was intended to inform future council action on historic preservation policy.