CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The city of Chattanooga is looking to turn an old golf course into a new park.
Something neighbors told us they would welcome over the development of apartments.
The Quarry Golf Course has been closed since 2007. Since then there has been significant debate over what should be done with the land.
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In 2021, Chattanooga city council dismissed a proposal to build apartment buildings there.
“What we’re wanting, more than anything, is for us to be left as natural as possible and let people enjoy this,” resident Kevin Murphy says.
Now, the City of Chattanooga is doing research on if part of the property on the golf course will work well as a park.
Some neighborhoods tell us they are excited about this idea.
“To have it turned into a park would be phenomenal for us. I mean, that would be a real big win,” Monica Davenport says.
Initially, the land was potentially considered for development.
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Ellis Smith, Chattanooga’s Director of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, tells us…
“Builders proposed to put houses on space that folks have been sort of enjoying as a green space, so there was a lot of consternation.”
Something many neighbors did not want.
“Real serious. We don’t want any development here. Stop it.”
Now, the city hopes the land will help the community, if the purchase goes through.
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“We’re also optimistic that, should this go forward, that this will be a great asset for the community for years to come,” Smith says.
The state of Tennessee granted Chattanooga with $1.7 million for this potential purchase, which was approved at the City Council on Tuesday
“So there’s not a contract. This is merely a letter of intent. I know there’s been a lot of talk about it. Every time that the city considers a new park or new green space, it’s very exciting, and it should be,” Smith says.
Chattanooga city council voted this week to accept grant money for the project.
