Neighborhood Transformation in Action: Advancing Critical Community Improvements in One Westside
Progress continues across the One Westside footprint as the Chattanooga Housing Authority (CHA), the City of Chattanooga, and the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) collaborate to implement critical infrastructure and neighborhood investments through the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) Grant. These investments, known as Critical Community Improvements (CCIs), are essential to the long-term success of the Westside transformation and represent a commitment to quality of life, connectivity, and opportunity for current and future residents.
Since November 2024, the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) has played a central role in convening partners to develop and refine the four CCIs included in the CNI grant. These include neighborhood-focused projects that respond directly to resident input gathered through a multi-year engagement process. Together, they form the core of the One Westside Neighborhood Plan: a roadmap for building a more connected, walkable, and resilient Westside.
Between January and March 2025, key stakeholders reviewed, refined, and finalized the Neighborhood Plan to ensure alignment with the community’s vision and HUD’s requirements. The plan was officially submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on April 4, 2025. With this submission, the One Westside team reached another major milestone in the transformation timeline, keeping the project on track and in compliance with CNI expectations.
One of the most exciting developments supporting the CCIs is the Reconnecting Communities Grant, awarded to the City of Chattanooga in 2024 by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This grant will help fund a strategic mobility study focused on Grove Street and 12th Street, two critical corridors in the Westside neighborhood. Improving the flow of transportation and pedestrian access along these streets is key to ensuring that new housing, jobs, schools, and services are fully accessible to all residents.
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been drafted and is expected to be advertised in the second quarter of 2025. This RFQ will identify a team of consultants and technical experts who will lead the study and recommend future improvements that can be implemented to reconnect and reinvigorate the neighborhood’s street grid. These efforts are part of a broader mobility and connectivity strategy that aims to knit the Westside back into the fabric of the city, both physically and socially.
Meanwhile, construction continues on one of the most anticipated CCIs: the renovation of the historic James A. Henry building, which will serve as the new One Westside Community Hub. Designed to be a vibrant center for learning, gathering, and support services, the Hub is a cornerstone of the CNI People and Neighborhood strategies.
As of April 2025, construction is approximately 51% complete. Progress includes poured concrete for the front porch and rear plaza foundations, new concrete block and brickwork, upgraded site utilities, and installation of core mechanical systems including plumbing, HVAC, fire suppression, and electrical. Interior work is also advancing, with drywall and plaster repairs in progress and a new elevator shaft now in place. This extensive work ensures that the Hub will be fully modernized while retaining its historic character.
The renovation remains on schedule for completion by August 2025, in time for Head Start to begin operations on the first floor. This early childhood education center will serve as a vital resource for families in the neighborhood and further solidify the James A. Henry building’s role as a place of growth, support, and belonging for Westside residents.
The transformation of One Westside is not just about new housing, it’s about creating places that foster connection, uplift neighbors, and reflect the history and hopes of the community. Through targeted Critical Community Improvements, strategic infrastructure planning, and continued resident engagement, the One Westside team is laying the groundwork for lasting change.
Each milestone reached, whether in a renovated community space or a newly drafted transportation study, reflects a shared investment in the future of Chattanooga’s Westside. As construction moves forward and plans take shape, residents can look forward to a neighborhood that feels safer, stronger, and more connected than ever before.
One Westside made strong progress on Critical Community Improvements, including finishing touches on the James A. Henry Hub, planning the Creative Cultural Innovation Incubator, enhancing green spaces, and advancing public art projects like the underpass lighting and mural.
The Housing Plan is advancing at College Hill Courts, with new housing, improved streets, and community amenities. Phases 1 and 2 are underway, connecting residents to jobs and services, while planning for Phase 3 focuses on future infrastructure.
