Sustainable Spaces: Local Support for Eco-Friendly Living in Chattanooga

🌿 Chattanooga RainSmart Rewards

A city-led initiative offering reimbursements for residential green infrastructure:

• Rain Gardens: Up to $2,000 per property for establishing native plant beds that capture runoff.

• Rain Barrels: $50 per barrel reimbursement (max 10 per property).

• SupportScapes: Up to $1,000 per property to remove turf/invasive species and replace with native plantings.

🌦️ RainSmart Yards (City of Chattanooga / WaterWays)

• Homeowners can get their yards certified by installing green infrastructure like rain gardens, rain barrels, native plantings, and SupportScapes.

• Certification delivers up to 75% off the annual stormwater fee

• This is a local complement to Smart Yards, targeting stormwater reduction and ecological yard design.

🌳 Free Tree ReLeaf (EPB)

EPB’s program provides free trees to homeowners to enhance shade, energy savings, wildlife habitats, and stormwater absorption .

🏡 EPB Home Energy & Solar Initiatives

• Free Home Energy Checkups: EPB experts inspect and advise on energy efficiency improvements (insulation, sealing, etc.)

• EPB Solar Share: Energy retrofit programs and a community solar‑panel leasing option to reduce home carbon footprint

• EPB Home Uplift (Income-qualified): Up to $10,000 in free home improvements (HVAC, insulation, efficient appliances) for income-qualified households. Average annual savings: $400/home

🌱 Tennessee Smart Yard

Steps to Certification:

• Download Materials: Get the Smart Yard workbook and yardstick tool to guide and track your progress.

• Learn from Experts: Watch 9 online video lessons covering sustainable yard care practices.

• Take Action: Complete at least 36 inches worth of environmentally friendly practices from a provided list.

• Submit for Certification: Fill out the online form, upload your yardstick, and receive your certificate.

• Share & Expand: Order a yard sign, share your success, and help spread the word in your neighborhood.

Local Sustainability: NewTerra, Overlooked Materials & CHI Market

Looking for easy ways to live more sustainably in Chattanooga? Three local initiatives—NewTerra Compost, Overlooked Materials and CHI Market—make it simple to reduce waste, support the local economy, and care for the environment right from your home.

🥕 NewTerra Compost

• Offers curbside compost pickup for homes, schools, and businesses.

• Helps divert food waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions.

• Turns food scraps into nutrient-rich compost that can be used in gardens and landscaping.

🧪 Overlooked Materials

• A community glass recycling initiative addressing the lack of municipal glass recycling.

• Collects glass from residents and local businesses for responsible recycling.

• Partners with artists and regional processors to reuse or repurpose glass.

• Helps reduce landfill waste and promotes a circular economy for materials often “overlooked.”

🛒 CHI Market

Open at St. Marks Church on Mississippi Avenue, down at The Venue; Thursday: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM; Friday - Saturday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

• A neighborhood market offering locally grown and produced goods.

• Supports regional farmers, makers, and small food businesses.

• Reduces the environmental impact of long-distance food transport.

• Encourages seasonal eating and helps keep food dollars in the local economy.

These local efforts show how everyday choices—like composting, recycling glass, or shopping locally—can build a healthier, more resilient community.

Creating New Footpaths: Trail on Druid Lane

The red line shows a newly cleared footpath

While our Road Safety Sidewalk Safety crews have been clearing sidewalks, other neighbors have been clearing overgrown alleys to make way for footpaths. This past weekend, a neighbor cleared a trail has been cleared to connect Druid to the alleyway over to Tucker. The more use that these paths get by walkers and runners, the easier it will be to maintain. It is a wonderful nature loop for neighbors to use, and we appreciate everyone’s help continuing to improve our neighborhood. Be on the lookout for ways that you can make the areas near you more enjoyable and usable for our whole community!

Join the 3rd Safe Sidewalk Workday this Saturday, July 5th

Join us for the 3rd NCNA Safe Sidewalk Summer Crew workday

📅 When

• This Saturday, July 5th 8-10 AM

  • a future workday is scheduled for July 19th

📍 Where

515 Lytle Street, about mid-way between Colville and Tremont.

🧰 What to Bring

• Must-haves: water, work gloves, sturdy shoes

• Nice-to-haves: hedge trimmers, loppers, rakes, flat tipped shovels, leaf blowers, wheel barrows, weed eaters
  (We’ll have extra tools on site, so come even if you’re empty-handed.)

📝 What We’ll Do

For the upcoming holiday weekend we’ll be keeping the work ‘light on Lytle’ :) There are a few lost sections of sidewalk and some pruning that is needed but the work should go quickly. If we finish early some of us may do additional pruning to clear a spots on streets nearby or may return to remove more dirt from the Boylston sidewalk that we cleared two weeks ago.

Photos of sidewalk sections that we’ll clear this weekend on Lytle

Photos and highlights from our last work event on Boylston

Our last work day cleared more than 25 years of dirt, growth and debris from sidewalk along multiple lots near 811 Boylston. This project was hard work but rewarding and the newly cleared sidewalk looks great. Big thanks to all that showed up two weeks ago and for doing multiple workdays worth of work in a single event!

Be sure to walk Boylston sometime to see the difference this reclaimed sidewalk makes to the area. You can also see the transition in the photos below.

A timelapse and photos from our 1st workday which cleared sidewalk on Dugdale can be found here.

July 14th NCNA Book Club

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi — hope you can join us for this July book discussion about community and being a neighbor.

July Book Club Sign Up

Please join us to read and discuss Theo of Golden by Allen Levi,

the “endearing story of a curious old man who quietly moves into a southern city and, for reasons unknown to anyone but himself, undertakes a campaign of anonymous generosity. Theo’s love for people, combined with his fondness for books, art, birds, and story, unite in a colorful expression of outreach and affection… Beautifully written stories of kindness and neighborliness are always timely, but perhaps especially so now” 

Sign up here to express interest and receive more information. We will meet to discuss the novel on July 14th, 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Real Roots Cafe (607 N Market St). We encourage you to arrive a few minutes early to order dinner and drinks (and support a local business), and then we’ll gather for our discussion after Real Roots closes to other customers.

Join the 2nd Safe Sidewalk Workday this Saturday, June 21st

Join us for the 2nd NCNA Safe Sidewalk Summer Crew workday

📅 When

• This Saturday, June 21st 8-10 AM

  • future workdays are schedule for July 5 & July 19

📍 Where

801 to 811 Boylston Street, just downhill from the Boylston / Albany intersection.

🧰 What to Bring

• Must-haves: water, work gloves, sturdy shoes

• Nice-to-haves: hedge trimmers, loppers, rakes, flat tipped shovels, leaf blowers, garbage bags, wheel barrows, weed eaters
  (We’ll have extra tools on site, so come even if you’re empty-handed.)

📝 What We’ll Do

We’ll be trimming vegetation and clearing debris to reopen the blocked sidewalk along the front of 5 lots. We’ll work at our own pace and please join us even if you can only attend part of the work day.

Timelapse and Before and Afters from our first workday at 1211 Dugdale

Our first workday successfully freed the sidewalk at 1211 Dugdale from years of overgrowth and debris buildup. Check out our time lapse and before/after images from that work.

Join the Safe Sidewalk Summer Crew | 1st & 3rd Saturday Workdays

Join the NCNA Safe Sidewalk Summer Crew

Our recent neighborhood-wide walk audit identified a long list of spots where overgrowth, litter, or damaged pavement make walking tough. Let’s tackle them together!

📅 When

• 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 8 – 10 a.m.

  • June 7 & June 21

  • July 5 & July 19

• We’ll add August dates based on interest and our progress.

📍 Where

The meeting spot changes each session. Watch your email—the Road Safety list gets the exact location the Monday before every workday. If you want to be added to that list let us know here: contact form.

🧰 What to Bring

• Must-haves: water, work gloves, sturdy shoes

• Nice-to-haves: hedge trimmers, loppers, rakes, flat tipped shovels, leaf blowers, garbage bags
  (We’ll have extra tools on site, so come even if you’re empty-handed.)

📝 What We’ll Do

Most tasks involve trimming vegetation and clearing debris to reopen blocked sidewalks. Work at your own pace—whether you stay 30 minutes, the full two hours or longer your efforts will be valuable.

Kickoff Project (June 7): Brush-clearing at 1211 Dugdale Ave.
Check out the “before” photos below; let’s create the “after” shots together!

See you on the sidewalk! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Meeting to Discuss Proposed 1010 Dallas Road Project

On Monday evening, May 19th at 6 p.m. NCNA members are invited to meet at the small building at Wyatt Community Center, 406 Colville St, to learn more about a proposed development at 1010 Dallas Road (the area pictured here — just past Hair A Go Go).

Proposed Development

The vision for this six-acre site is to bring mixed-income, multi-family housing in response to expressed community needs for greater housing affordability, particularly in the North Chattanooga community. The first phase of this potential project could include up to 169 rental apartment units. The project is being co-developed by Chestnut Development and led by Steen and Courtney Watson (who are D2 residents). The six-acre site encompasses five parcels of land, one of which is in process to seek rezoning from I-L (industrial) to C-C (residential). Come meet the project leads and learn more.

Community Voices Shape Vision for a Safer, More Walkable Hixson Pike and Riverview Village

In response to longstanding safety concerns and two separate car accidents in late 2024, five neighborhood associations—Baker Hilltop, Dallas Heights, Fairhills, North Chattanooga, and Riverview—collaborated to gather community input on improving Hixson Pike between Fernway and Barton, and in the Riverview Village area. This effort was initiated by invitation of Councilwoman Jenny Hill who we thank for inviting our input on this important shared space.

Over three months, the group conducted a survey that garnered over 350 responses and hosted a community meeting attended by more than 60 residents. The feedback coalesced around two primary goals:

1. Slowing traffic speeds to enhance safety for all road users.

2. Developing continuous pedestrian pathways to improve walkability through the Riverview Village area.

Key recommendations towards those goals include relocating the southbound lane merge on Hixson Pike to a safer location north of its current spot, adding crosswalks, and constructing sidewalks where they are currently absent.

For a comprehensive overview of the community's priorities and suggestions, please refer to the following documents:

• Survey Response Report: Hixson Pike Survey Responses

• Community Priorities Statement: Hixson Pike - Riverview Village - Community Priorities Statement

• Presentation: Hixson Pike Community Survey D2 Presentation

This community-driven effort exemplifies how local collaboration can lead to actionable plans for safer, more accessible neighborhoods and we hope it encourages continued collaboration and engagement in our community.

Treasure Found During Trash Pickup!

At our neighborhood clean up day, a neighbor came across this old cast iron mailbox sign that had a name and address for a home in Red Bank. The neighbor brought the sign home, cleaned it up and set out to look for its owner.

Cast iron mailbox sign found in the Sylvan Park Bird Sanctuary!

Turns out the family still lives at the home, and he was able to return the sign to the son who hadn’t seen the sign since he was a little boy. The son now has the mailbox sign displayed in his home, and his sisters have been equally overjoyed to be reunited with the bit of family history.

We loved the story of the trash collection turning up a treasure! Makes us wonder what other glimpses of Chattanooga’s history we will uncover as we continue to reclaim the space at Sylvan Park.

Play Streets Are Coming!

Many adults can remember a time when children spent more time outdoors, and neighborhood streets were filled with the sounds of kids playing. While we still see many children in our neighborhood today, kids are more likely to play in their own homes, yards, or on screens.

In order to encourage more outdoor play and community connection, the North Chattanooga Neighborhood Association (NCNA) is excited to announce our Play Streets initiative. Play Streets are scheduled times when selected streets are closed to through traffic, creating safe spaces for children to play and neighbors to connect. This concept, already successful in other cities, represents a return to a time when streets weren’t just for cars – they were extensions of our front yards and gathering places for our communities.

The first NCNA Play Streets event will take place on Boylston Street, on Friday, April 11th from 5:00 PM–6:30PM. Please note, Boylston Street from Tremont to Beck will be closed to cars from 4:30 PM until 7:00PM the day of the event.

Play Streets will take place in the streets and in public spaces like sidewalks and greenways. Attendees should not be in a private yard unless invited.

RSVP Here

- The event is intentionally "low-program" and meant for parents to "life guard" rather than to be overly involved in the playing.
- We will provide bubbles and chalk, and we ask you to bring Amazon boxes for fort building and other creative play!
- We will also have an section for young children to play together with a bit of protection from older kids.
- All attendees should clean up after themselves as they leave.
- A parent or caregiver is required to be in attendance. Please bring a camp chair and enjoy the fun!
- Pets are not allowed at Play Streets.

We would love to see you at the event, and all are welcome even if you aren't a part of NCNA! Remember, Play Streets aren’t just about creating spaces for play – they’re about strengthening our community bonds, improving all of our well-being, and making North Chattanooga an even better place to live.

The future Play Streets are already planned. Hope you can join us!

May 9th on Hanover Street

June 13th on Colville Street

July 11th on Endicott Street

August 8th on Normal Avenue

September 12th on Dartmouth Street

October 10th on Boylston Street (again!)

If you would be interested in helping us with some of these future events, fill out this form!

Join Us for NCNA Clean Up Day – Hyper Local Impact!

Feeling like you want to make a difference but don’t know where to start? Look hyper local. Join us for NCNA Clean Up Day on April 5, 2025, starting at Frances B. Wyatt Community Center. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with neighbors, beautify our streets, and celebrate our hard work with a neighborhood potluck!

Why Join NCNA Clean Up Day?

We love our community, and this event is a chance to show it! A cleaner neighborhood benefits everyone—it boosts our quality of life, brings people together, and fosters local pride.

Event Details

Date: April 5, 2025
Time: 10 AM-1:30 PM
Location: Frances B. Wyatt Community Center @ 406 Colville Street

Schedule:

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Neighborhood Clean-Up
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Potluck Lunch

We’ll provide the trash bags, gloves, and even flower seeds to add some extra beauty to our streets. All you need to bring is comfortable clothes, a water bottle, and some friends and family to make it even more fun.

Stay for the Potluck!

After a productive morning, let’s celebrate with a potluck lunch at the small building near the playground. Sign up for a dish here.

Spread the word! We’ll see you on April 5th.

Tennessee Smart Yards

Please join us at 6 p.m. on April 16th at North Chattanooga Community Center (406 May Street) for a joint presentation for the NCNA and Hill City neighborhood association. Laurie Michell and Ann Brown will be presenting on the Tennessee Smart Yards program. Tennessee Smart Yards is a program from the University of Tennessee Extension that guides and assists homeowners and neighborhood associations on practices they can apply in their outdoor spaces to create healthier and more sustainable living spaces and communities. The program is a cooperative with TVA and the Tennessee Water Resources Research Center.

The program guides the homeowner through the 9 fundamental principles to sustainability. Some examples of the 9 principles are watering efficiently, providing for wildlife, and reducing storm water run off and its pollutants.The homeowner doesn’t have to be an expert gardener or landscaper to create and certify a Tennessee Smart Yard. With the guidance from the Tennessee Smart Yard handbook and educational videos, the 9 principles are attainable for the homeowner. Both HCNA and NCNA residents have shown that they are very conscientious of the environment, and we are confident that they will be interested in becoming a Tennessee Smart Yard. 

In addition to smart yards, the University of Tennessee also has a program for your communities to become a Tennessee Smart Yard Community. The program has three categories to reach the community, Education, Stewardship, and Connection.  They will discuss this program at their presentation as well.

The event will include information about Tennessee Smart Yards, and they will also have a table at the NCNA Earth Day celebration April 5th. Hope you can join us!

Neighborhood Wide Walk Audit this Saturday Feb 22nd

Join us for the NCNA All Streets Walk Audit

This Saturday, Feb 22nd 9:00 AM

Wyatt Recreation Center

406 Colville St Chattanooga,TN

This will be an effort to review all pedestrian infrastructure within the NCNA boundaries.  We'll discuss the walk audit process over coffee and donuts then spit up to walk and review our neighborhood streets.

If you want to get a head start the walk audit you can do that using the following form:

https://forms.gle/bzaFxLnULnVx8YPX8

Thanks and see you Saturday!

An Exciting Weekend of Activities for the NCNA

We have a lot going on with NCNA this weekend -- hope you can join us. Friday night we'll have glow in the dark dodgeball (games will be divided by age, so all are welcome), and the North Chatt Chow Down.

Melissa Graveline from Build Sage Design will be providing drinks for dodgeball and the Chow Down, and she will also be available to to chat about your homes and potential future projects.

For the Chow Down, we already have people signed up to bring food from everywhere from Louisiana to Texas to Korea and more! Be sure to sign up here with what you are bringing!

Then on Saturday morning, bundle up and meet at the Wyatt Community Center at 9 a.m. to help us review all pedestrian infrastructure within the NCNA boundaries.

We'll start with coffee, donuts and an overview of the walk audit process then we will split up to walk and review our neighborhood streets. By the end, we’ll have a sense of which sidewalks need cleaning, repair, and more, and the general condition of pedestrian infrastructure across our neighborhood. If you want to get a head start the walk audit form is live: https://forms.gle/bzaFxLnULnVx8YPX8

Navigating Development in Our Neighborhood

An example rezoning notice

How do we learn about Zoning or Alley Change Requests?

Recently the NCNA Responsible Growth Team has been engaged in helping neighbors respond to the yellow "change in zoning or alley" notification signs that are posted 30 days in advance of a decision by the City.  Many times we have had to scramble to learn about what the zoning or alley use change entailed, pull together impacted neighbors or interested parties, and engage with the developer or the city to share concerns and try to have the request modified or dropped. We have attended the Regional Planning Authority meetings where we can speak to any opposition or ways to address our concerns with their projects.

Some recent efforts in our neighborhood:

• Development request by GreenTech for 14 homes on Franklin St and assuming rights to the never opened Ann Street. We worked with the developer and the city to address the challenges, and the result is now a plan to develop 7 street facing homes, with a conservation easement on the back portion of the property, which is a wooded steep slope.

• On Normal Avenue, neighbors were instrumental in documenting the opposition to the 4th rezoning request to reduce the property setbacks on a small, unusually shaped lot and were successful in having this rezoning rejected by the city.

Here is what we have learned that might be helpful to you if you have questions about development in your part of the neighborhood:

Building in Chattanooga

Property owners in Chattanooga have a lot of flexibility to develop or modify their property to suit their needs, as long as it meets current building codes and zoning requirements.  They submit their project scope to the city, and the city conducts a comprehensive review, which can include:

• Does it meet current zoning requirements for that property? If not, will they request a zoning change?

• Are there storm water concerns for the planned development?

• What is the vehicular access plan for the property?

• Is it approved by the Fire/Safety organization to ensure access to residents from named roads, and ability of rescue vehicles to navigate the adjacent roads?

• Does it request change of use for existing closed or opened alley ways? If so, will they submit an "alley use change request"?

North Chattanooga Architectural Design Requirements

In North Chattanooga, we do not have architectural design standards in place. If the building permit follows zoning and building codes, they are free to build the design they choose. Over the years, all types of property design (single family, multi-family,  commercial office, shops and restaurants) have been built or improved. A previous homeowners' association decided against having design restrictions in this neighborhood, resulting in all varieties of uses and design styles overtime. We have evolved into a very eclectic and interesting neighborhood! 

How to Formally Support or Oppose Rezoning Cases (including Alley use changes)

Citizens can submit written support or opposition utilizing the RPA's (Regional Planning Authority) public comment form (https://chcrpa.org/public-input/#pubInput) by emailing rezoning@chattanooga.gov, or in-person at the RPA office at 1250 Market Street, Suite 2000. Please provide name and address for the record. The Staff accepts written opposition ahead of the meeting up until the end of  the day Friday before the Planning Commission hearing. The Staff will compile the comments and forward to the Planning Commission ahead of the meeting. 

Also, the cases and agenda for each month are posted https://chcrpa.org/zoning-subdivisions/agendas-case-information-2/

Citizens are also welcome to attend the Planning Commission hearing (see schedule and location below) to speak in opposition to a case. The opposition is given a total of 9 minutes to speak on a case (i.e., if 20 community members show up in opposition they are given 9 minutes total to speak).

If you'd like to learn more about development in North Chattanooga, please let us know. The Responsible Growth team is focused on helping residents engage in a timely manner when there are zoning or alley change requests. We want to work together to address neighborhood opposition or concerns. Having our neighbors involved leads to better outcomes across our neighborhood.

• Diane O’Sullivan and Alex Close (Co-Leads - Responsible Growth Committee)

Provide feedback on possible Hixson Pike updates

In the coming months, we anticipate that the City may begin to consider adjustments to Hixson Pike in the area from Fernway Road to Barton Avenue.  This section of Hixson Pike starts just North of the Bright School entrance and travels South through Riverview Village and its businesses like The Daily Ration, Tremont Tavern and Il Primo on the way to Barton Avenue. 

Councilwoman Hill has asked neighborhood members who live along this section of Hixson Pike to share our priorities for these updates.  Please share your responses to the survey and also plan to join us at the Wyatt Recreation Center at 6:30 PM on March 27th where we will discuss the results of the survey and gain more input from the community before sending our collaborative feedback to Councilwoman Hill.

• Survey (will be available until February 28th)

• Community Meeting: Wyatt Recreation Center at 6:30 PM on March 27th
  
  Thank You!

In Praise of Frances B. Wyatt Community Center

"Can we go to the Wyatt Center??" 

It's a request I now expect from my 3rd and 4th-grade boys at school pickup each day. And the answer is always an easy "YES!"

Earlier this year, the Frances B. Wyatt Community Center on Colville Street started offering youth open gym every weekday from 3:00-5:00 PM. Whoever came up with this timeframe is brilliant. (If that was you, from the bottom of my heart -- THANK YOU!) It's the perfect post-school activity for kiddos who need to burn some energy in a safe, temperature-controlled, contained space. It's especially enticing for my boys, who are always looking for an opportunity to play basketball in a real gym (as opposed to the small basketball hoop in our cracked driveway). And in the winter, we can all only bear to be outside for so long! Enter the community center. 

Photo from an NCNA meeting in 2024 in the Community Center

A few years ago, my husband and I spent a little time in Europe and became enamored with the concept of "third spaces" for people to gather. A "third space" refers to a social environment that is separate from the home (the first space) and the workplace/school (the second space). Think of cozy cafes, lively parks, community centers, libraries, or local clubs—these are all great examples! "Third spaces" are about creating a relaxed atmosphere that encourages socializing and building relationships. They help foster a sense of belonging and community, making it easier for people to meet up, enjoy each other's company, and hang out without the pressures of daily life. In an increasingly individualized world, "third spaces" offer a counterbalance towards togetherness. 

My family moved to Chattanooga and landed in North Chatt just over a year ago. The neighborhood we left in North Dallas was a master-planned community with an extensive greenbelt that included a playground, a walking trail, a volleyball court, multiple pavilions, and several large fields perfect for a game of pickup football or soccer. Upon our move, our kids lamented the loss of a common space where they could always count on finding friends to run around and play with. 

Since our move to Chattanooga, we've been searching for places where our kids can gather safely with other kids without needing a scheduled playdate and without spending money every time, as we do with places like trampoline parks. 

NCNA Movie Night at Wyatt Community Center in summer 2024.

When we heard about youth open gym at the Wyatt Center, our whole family rejoiced! And I don't mean that as hyperbole. I want my kids to grow up with access to community spaces where they can gather with friends and play, even without parental supervision, where they're given the opportunity to work things out with one another.

What a gift to live in a city with community centers scattered throughout. Here are a few things I've learned since my kids started playing at the Wyatt Center: 

1. Open Gym is Monday-Friday from 3:00 - 5:00 PM

2. The Wyatt Center is open Monday - Friday from 11:30 AM - 8:00 PM and Saturday from 12:00 - 4:00 PM, primarily used to play pickleball and table tennis. It's also available to rent. Find more info at https://chattanooga.gov/services/community-centers/francis-b-wyatt-community-center 

3. We owe a big thanks to the community center manager, Butch, who pushed to create open gym for our kids! 

4. The Wyatt Center is also used for neighborhood meetings and community social events, all of which have been possible because of the support and help of Butch!

5. Sign in! The city's community centers are funded based on usage. Signing in at the front desk indicates that our community is using the Wyatt Center. This allows our neighborhood's community center to receive more funding. 

Our hope for the future is that more neighbors begin to utilize the Wyatt Center as a community space to foster belonging among all kids and adults alike! 

• Lindsey Wright

Butch at the NCNA Glow in the Dark Dodgeball Event.

P.S. The city is currently asking for feedback on community centers, and it is a great way to support the programming that we love at Wyatt, so be sure to respond to the survey here.

New Year, New School Updates!

TL;DR

• Study has begun for a potential Normal Park high school

• School Vouchers are back on the legislative agenda and likely to cost the state $400 million

Possible High School on the Horizon

The common refrain among Normal Park parents that starts even in early elementary school is, “if only there was a Normal Park high school…” And finally, an option seems to be on the horizon! At December’s Hamilton County School Board meeting, it was announced that the Board has formally initiated a study of the feasibility and cost of creating a grades 9-12 magnet school option for Normal Park (NP) students. This could be the first step that would allow students to continue to progress with their school community and magnet school education through the high school years.

The NP Upper School and Lower School buildings are neighborhood landmarks and architectural treasures. However, both buildings are over 100 years old, and like most hundred year old buildings, they have a host of major maintenance and ADA-compliance issues. NP Principal Dr. Jamelie Johns has said that rarely does a day go by that there is not a maintenance issue for her and the staff to contend with. 

The board has approved $100,000 for architects to conduct technical audits of multiple HCS properties, including US & LS buildings. This technical architectural study will build on the 2020 MGT Facilities Study to ascertain the structural integrity of the buildings. For example, if the MGT study noted multiple cracks in a wall at the US, structural architects will investigate those cracks to determine if they are just a superficial aging issue or a structural concern. They will then estimate the repair process & costs. Chattanooga-based Franklin Architects (FA) will conduct the audit. In addition to analyzing both buildings, FA will also study the viability of building a new state of the art high school in the location of the current NP football field. 

District 6 School Board Member Ben Connor hopes the study will be completed within six months, which will allow the school board to make recommendations on next steps or look into alternative locations. Feel free to reach out to Ben with any questions at connor_ben@hcde.org. 

School Voucher Bill Returns

Gov. Lee has called a special legislative session to begin on January 27 to focus on his proposed school voucher bill. This year the school voucher Bill (the Education Freedom Act of 2025) has been combined into an omnibus bill. The omnibus bill includes allotting state resources to support federal immigration policies as well as Hurricane Helene relief funds for East Tennessee. Gov. Lee has lumped the unpopular voucher program, which our state legislature did not approve in 2024, in with immigration and storm relief funds, other bills that may be more popular statewide. 

The Hamilton County School Board recently voted 7-2 against supporting the voucher bill. In a December 2024 Board Meeting, District 6 board member (and NCNA resident) Ben Connor said, “We [the School Board] are categorically against vouchers. We have seen throughout the country ways that it has absolutely failed… In every state that has these, between 70%-80% of the kids that were using the vouchers were already in private schools.”

The Tennesseean has a great article that outlines the $400 million voucher bill costs that have been estimated to date. 

Here are some questions to ask about the voucher bill:

• Is this the same thing as School Choice? No. School choice is a program that is already active in our current public school system. 

• How much will it cost the state? Initial estimates of almost $400 million with 5 year costs estimated at $861 million. 

• How much is each voucher worth? $7,025 for the coming year, may change as the public school funding model, TISA, changes. 

• Who is eligible for the vouchers? 20,000 vouchers would be available across Tennessee. 10,000 are reserved for students of families who earn up to 300% the federal limit to qualify for free & reduced lunch. This means a family of four could earn up to $173,160 and qualify to receive a voucher. The remaining 10,000 are available for anyone regardless of income. 

• Who is likely to use the voucher? In other states with similar voucher programs, 70-80% of voucher recipients were already attending private schools. In Arkansas that number was 95%. 

• Where will the funding come from and where will ongoing funding for the program come from? The first round of funding will come from the state’s Rainy Day fund. It is unclear where ongoing funding will come from. Arizona enacted a similar bill and ongoing costs have been 1300% over estimates, leading to a budget shortfall. Florida, Indiana and Ohio have all faced similar fiscal overruns since creating similar voucher programs. 

• What kind of testing requirements will be required to monitor voucher-recipient progress? How do those requirements compare with what is required of public schools? What are the consequences if private schools fail to perform at acceptable standards? 

• What type of schools will be eligible? Will homeschool families be eligible? If so, what is considered acceptable use of funds for homeschoolers? Will funds be limited to curriculum or co-op costs or could funds be used for home improvements, purchase of vehicles, travel expenses? Is there a cap to the number of vouchers per homeschool family? 

Lots more questions are out there, and the bill will shift as it goes through the process with additional amendments. The Tennessean.com is a great resource for updates, check their politics page for the latest. 

The special session begins Monday, January 27. Our state house and senate representatives are open to hearing your perspective so be sure to write to your legislator to share your thoughts, questions. If you are contacting them, please be sure to reference HB1 and SB1, the bill names for the house and senate. 

• State Representative Greg Martin rep.greg.martin@capitol.tn.gov 

• Sen. Bo Watson sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov

Sylvan Park Update: 42% of funding raised!

Preliminary design for Sylvan Park Improvements

As of today, thanks to the generosity of many neighbors, we have raised 42% of the estimated funds needed for our partnership with the Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors to reclaim the Sylvan Park Bird Sanctuary. We have raised these funds through the sale of NCNA merchandise and through the generosity of multiple smaller donations to the park, and the bulk of the fundraising has come through the support of our sponsors. 

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An overview of sponsorship opportunities:

New Path Sponsor: The Campbell and Wallace Families 

The Campbell and Wallace families are sponsoring a path from the existing path through the woods to the new park entrance on Noll Street, which will be recognized on a sign at the entrance. 

New Picnic Table Sponsor: $2,500

1 available

You will be sponsoring a new picnic table, which will be recognized with a plaque on the table, where neighbors will enjoy relaxing in the park with a picnic.

 
New Sitting Spot Sponsor: $2,000

3 available, 1 sponsored by an anonymous donor

You will be sponsoring one of the new sitting spots / benches that will be spread throughout the newly revitalized park, and your support will be recognized with a plaque on the table. These seats are essential for any park visitor to be able to enjoy the bird sanctuary and natural beauty of this quiet and reflective space. 

New Waste Receptacle Sponsor: $500

2 available, 2 sponsored by the Wright-Payne family and the Hunter family

You will be sponsoring one of the new waste receptacles in the park, and your support will be recognized on a park sign. These receptacles are essential for keeping our revitalized park litter-free and providing a place to put pet waste. 

New Welcome Sign Sponsor: $400

2 available, 1 sponsored by Sally and Andy Michaud

You will be sponsoring one of our new park welcome signs, which we will be installing one at each of the three new and clarified entrances to the park to welcome visitors and increase the visibility of the park

New Educational Sign Sponsor: $200

4 available, 2 sponsored by the Taylor family and in memory of Angie and Austin Poole

You will be sponsoring one of our new educational signs around the park that will share interpretative touch points, directing visitors to the natural space, as well as to the history of those who have inhabited this place before us.

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Sylvan Park on our recent snow day!

If you are interested in one of the remaining sponsorships, please complete this form and purchase your sponsorship here. 

As the weather allows, Wise Construction will be donating labor and the use of their equipment to clear the path from Colville Street to Sylvan Park. We are applying for a variety of grants with the hopes of hiring the Southeast Conservation Corps to install the other essential trail elements. If you have experience grant writing and would like to help with these efforts, please reach out to us at northchattanooganeighbors@gmail.com. 

Thanks for supporting our NCNA Green Space Initiative, we look forward to seeing this park filled with children heading to play basketball at the Wyatt Community Center, urban hikers connecting from North Chattanooga to Stringer's Ridge, bird watchers observing wildlife and commuters walking safely to the many businesses at the base of Forest Avenue and more. We believe that this vision is consistent with the National Park City goals that many Chattanoogans supported when signing the charter for the National Park City initiative. Forest Avenue connects to the Walnut Street Bridge, so this will be another park option for visitors to our city who are looking for a quiet place of natural respite and adventure close to the city center. There seems to be limitless potential for all who will benefit from this park and trail.

One Family’s Normal Park School Experience

Our neighborhood school, Normal Park Upper, is such an asset for our community. When Nathan and I bought our house in 2021, we bought it as a childless couple. Our realtor mentioned it was a sought-after school, which would help keep property values up. We both value education and were excited to be in an area that gives so much support to the local school. Fast forward to 2023, and we began talking about potentially adopting my sister’s kid. When weighing everything that would go into this dramatic change of becoming instant parents to an 11-year-old, one of the easiest checkmarks on our long list was that Normal Park was going to be his school. Learning about Hamilton County high schools sent me on a spiral, though, and we are immensely grateful for our school board member, Ben Connor, and others’ efforts to potentially bring a 9-12 school to our zone.

Previously, our son was struggling in school. When we registered him at Normal Park, we were able to meet with several people to voice our concerns. Well, wouldn’t you know it, the welcoming and understanding nature of everyone working at Normal Park made this transition incredibly easy for us. Funny what happens when you have teachers, principals, and support staff that truly care about each child, even one with ADHD and Autism. During a parent/teacher conference, his math teacher (the subject he struggled in the most as his previous school) was shocked when I asked about his behavior. She could not believe that he was previously failing and was constantly being sent to the principal’s office by his old math teacher. She said he was a sweet kid who was even performing above expectations for his grade level. When talking to our son, he mentions how everyone knows who he is, and he reported that on the day of his official adoption, when he arrived at school late, that the office ladies were incredibly excited for him.

Day to day, our son loves the cool classes he takes and says he actually enjoys all of his teachers, even the ones he hasn’t officially had for classes. In the mornings, there is one teacher who always engages him in conversation when I am dropping him off. One day I asked who the teacher was, and our son shrugged his shoulders saying he didn’t know, but he was cool.

All in all, being in the Normal Park zone is such a privilege and one I do not take for granted. It is such a weight off our shoulders. We are so thrilled that our son ended this quarter at school on the A/B honor roll! From the edge of failing at his previous school to this achievement is remarkable. Clearly Normal Park is the right school for him. Normal Park is one of those rare schools where they exceed their reputation.

• by Kala Wright