Through a year-long collaboration with residents, faith leaders, elected officials, and community partners, One Westside will reconnect the neighborhood—currently separated from downtown and the riverfront by highways and busy streets—through improved infrastructure and thoughtful urban planning.

A top priority is the one-for-one replacement of 629 aging public housing units at College Hill Courts and Gateway Tower. Built in 1940, College Hill Courts is Chattanooga’s largest public housing development, while Gateway Tower, built in 1974, provides 132 homes for seniors. These outdated buildings will be replaced with modern, high-quality housing within the same 115-acre footprint, following a “Build First” strategy. This ensures that new homes are built before older ones are removed, allowing residents to transition smoothly into their new homes without displacement.

Beyond housing, the transformation plan introduces new green spaces, better connections to downtown and the riverfront, and the preservation of community landmarks. The historic James A. Henry School will become a dynamic community hub offering education, career training, and social services. Two beloved gathering places, “The Grace Tree” and the flagpole, will be preserved as symbols of the neighborhood’s rich history.

The redevelopment will create 1,783 new rental homes, 40% of which will be market-rate, fostering a truly mixed-income community. With a strong focus on sustainability and economic opportunity, One Westside is paving the way for a thriving, connected, and resilient neighborhood for generations to come.

Together, we’re building the future—right here in the heart of Chattanooga.