East Ridge, Tennessee

Crafting a Thriving Community Through Strategic Development

Transforming into a vibrant hub for residents and businesses through innovative development and strategic partnerships.

East Ridge, Tennessee, a bustling 8.3-square-mile city, thrives on its strategic location and vibrant community. With a population of around 22,000, this city borders northern Georgia and the southeastern corner of Tennessee, sitting conveniently on the I-75 corridor. Mayor Brian Williams highlights the city’s unique advantages: “Our proximity to Chattanooga’s airport and downtown, as well as the once massive mall, underscores our prime location.”

The motto ‘Live, Work, Play’ captures the essence of East Ridge, reflecting its balanced lifestyle and growing opportunities. “Pioneer progress,” the mayor adds, “is another phrase that resonates with our spirit of continuous development and community enhancement.”

Economic growth is a significant focus for East Ridge, with numerous projects in the pipeline. The city is committed to fostering an environment where businesses can flourish, contributing to the overall quality of life. “We’ve seen a lot of economic development recently,” Williams shares, hinting at a prosperous future driven by strategic planning and community-centric initiatives.

Camp Jordan Park: A Hub for Sports Tourism

East Ridge’s Camp Jordan Park serves as a magnet for sports enthusiasts, boasting state-of-the-art facilities catering to various athletic pursuits. This expansive 275-acre park provides local residents with ample recreational opportunities and attracts regional and even national sporting events, making it a cornerstone of East Ridge’s community and economy.

Mayor Williams elaborates on the park’s offerings: “Camp Jordan Park features 13 diamond and 14 rectangular fields. We have everything from softball and baseball to tee-ball and soccer.” The park’s versatility is evident in its facilities, including a pavilion, a theater, and a 34,000-square-foot arena. The park’s extensive amenities do not stop at traditional sports. “Wrapped around the exterior, we have a two-mile walking track and an 18-hole disc golf course, along with a fishing pond,” he adds.

Camp Jordan Park’s impact on sports tourism is significant. Mayor Williams shares a personal anecdote that underscores this: “I recently spoke to an employee from Cincinnati who was bringing her daughter to a softball tournament at Camp Jordan. It was thrilling to hear about our park’s reach.” This kind of regional draw is standard, as teams and their families travel from several states away, contributing to the local economy.

Developing the Heart of East Ridge

East Ridge may not have a defined downtown, but the city strategically focuses on the development around Exit 1 and Ringgold Road. This area, particularly the northeast quadrant, has grown substantially, becoming a hub of business and community activities.

“We consider Exit 1 and Ringgold Road our central area,” Miller explains. This quadrant includes notable establishments like Jonathan’s, Twin Peaks, and Chick-fil-A, and two new hotels—Hilton Home2 and Hampton Inn—that have opened within the past month.”

A key element in this area is Parkridge Hospital, part of the HCA health system, which recently opened an emergency center. “This emergency center is situated within the 20-acre development right at the entrance to Camp Jordan,” Miller notes, highlighting the convenience and accessibility of healthcare services.

Mayor Williams elaborates on the efforts to enhance the central part of town. “Since I became mayor in 2018, and even during my time on the council starting in 2016, we’ve been striving to enhance our town center. City Hall is pretty much in the middle of town, right on the main artery of US-41, a state highway,” he says, illustrating how it is surrounded by several community amenities, including a basketball court, community center, Splashpad, Dog Park and a recently upgraded playground.

The vision for the town center includes the construction of a 12,000 sq. ft. multipurpose pavilion behind City Hall to accommodate special events and community-wide activities. Adjacent to City Hall the City is completing design plans to expand its Community Center; specifically enlarging its basketball court to regulation size. Additionally, the campus of the town center encompasses a former school building totaling 54,000 sq. ft. The City is exploring the reuse of the building with half of it being dedicated to police operations and the other half to fine arts, theatre, and business incubators.

Commercial Expansion and Development Opportunities

East Ridge actively pursues commercial development to attract investments and enhance economic growth. The city’s strategic location and available land make it an attractive prospect for developers and businesses looking to establish a foothold in the region. City Manager Miller outlines some critical areas poised for development.

“About an eighth of a mile west of the town center, we have 13 acres across the street from a newly constructed Food City supermarket,” he says. This tract of land is currently being developed by Urban Story Ventures, a firm known for successful projects in and around Chattanooga. “We are working with them to bring in commercial businesses, including retail and possibly restaurants,” he adds. The master plan for this 13-acre site involves tearing down some existing buildings and renovating others, aiming to create a cohesive commercial hub.

Further plans are also in motion for the area around Exit 1, a critical interchange that has already seen significant development with the presence of Bass Pro Shops and other businesses. “The developer is close to acquiring about four and a half to five acres of excess area around the interchange from the state,” Miller notes. This acquisition will open up more opportunities for retail, commercial, and restaurant establishments.

Bolstering Infrastructure for Future Growth

Ensuring robust infrastructure is crucial to supporting East Ridge’s ambitious development projects. The city is focused on enhancing its foundational systems to accommodate new commercial ventures and residential expansions. City Manager Miller highlights the city’s collaboration with the Hamilton County Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTA) to address critical infrastructure needs.

“We’ve been working on fixing leakage issues in the sewer system,” he explains. “We’re cutting back on water infiltration by repairing and slip-lining our utility lines. This increases our capacity for new hookups, facilitating our ongoing and future developments without any hitches.”

The city’s water, power, and internet infrastructure is well-prepared for growth. “We have no problems with Tennessee American Water serving the area, and EPB is our power source,” Miller says. High-speed internet is another strong suit for East Ridge. “EPB was one of the first to provide a gig to the home, and now you can have up to 25 gigs in East Ridge,” Mayor Williams adds.

The mayor also mentions the recent improvements and ongoing projects to upgrade the city’s exit infrastructure. “Six years ago, we reconfigured our exit off I-75, making it much safer,” he says. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is in the second phase of reconstructing the interchange at Exit 1, a significant project that will ultimately enhance traffic flow and accessibility. “It’s painful at the moment, but once completed, it will greatly benefit our area,” Williams remarks.

Residential Growth and Housing Developments

East Ridge proactively addresses the need for new residential spaces as the national housing shortage intensifies. The city is making substantial strides in expanding its housing stock to cater to the growing demand from various demographics. Miller provides an overview of recent and upcoming developments.

“We just finished an 84-home development in the eastern part of the community,” he shares. We’ve also approved an additional 82 single-family homes on the western side, bringing the total to around 170 homes.” The city has recently issued 14 permits for new homes, indicating a robust and ongoing expansion.

Another significant project is developing a 20-acre parcel called the Old Horse Farm off Frawley Road. “The developer is working on plans for about 115 to 120 townhouses or condos,” Miller notes. This development aims to provide modern living spaces that appeal to young professionals and families alike. Additionally, a 10-acre tract in the northeastern part of the community is being considered for condos or single-family homes, further diversifying the housing options available in East Ridge.

He also highlights the city’s careful approach to development. “We aim to provide good affordable housing without overburdening neighborhoods with density,” he explains. The city works closely with developers to maintain a balance, ensuring new projects complement existing communities. “We’re excited about the hundreds of new homes planned and underway, especially given our landlocked position between Chattanooga and Georgia,” he adds.

Collaborative Efforts and Strategic Partnerships

Strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts with various entities significantly bolster East Ridge’s growth. These relationships span different government levels and include alliances with businesses and regional organizations, creating a supportive network for the city’s development.

Mayor Williams highlights the strong connection with the county government. “We’ve got a great working relationship with Hamilton County,” he says. This partnership extends to other municipalities through a small city coalition. “We meet regularly to share ideas and discuss growth, working closely with county and state governments,” he adds. This coalition fosters a collaborative environment where municipalities can support each other in their development initiatives.

The city also actively collaborates with local businesses and incoming enterprises. Miller explains the symbiotic relationship between the city and these entities. “We have a good working relationship with the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce,” he says. The chamber often directs interested businesses towards East Ridge, facilitating new opportunities for economic growth.

A Vision for the Future

East Ridge is charting an ambitious course for the next 18 months, focusing on significant developments and strategic enhancements to bolster community life and economic growth. Mayor Williams outlines the city’s top priorities.

Besides looking to re-use the 54,000 sq. ft. school and build a multipurpose facility, another focal point is the continued development around Exit 1, particularly the 30-acre area known as Jordan Crossing. Thanks to the border region legislation, this site has already attracted significant businesses like Bass Pro Shops, Top Golf, Twin Peaks, and Chick-fil-A. ” The State refunds 4.125% of every dollar spent in sales tax in this border region district, which we use to incentivize additional development,” he says.

The city is also keen on maximizing the potential of the soccer stadium, which anchors a 60-acre development. “We want to bring in more businesses to complement the stadium, boosting revenue and community engagement,” the mayor adds. The strategic location of these developments along major highways ensures they are easily accessible, further enhancing their appeal to businesses and visitors.

Balancing economic growth with community enrichment, East Ridge is committed to creating a vibrant city. “We want to provide a great place to work, play, and live while also bringing in amenities and attractions that draw visitors,” Mayor Williams concludes. This dual approach will ensure that East Ridge remains a desirable destination for residents and businesses, nurturing a prosperous future for the community.

AT A GLANCE

East Ridge

What: A thriving city focused on strategic development and community enhancement

Where: Southeastern Tennessee

Website: https://www.eastridgetn.gov/