East Ridge City Manager Scott Miller briefed the Industrial Development Board Tuesday night at City Hall telling them among other things that the city is negotiating with the owner of the 4As Inn to raze the aging motel and build a new one.

“We’ve met with them three or four times and we are trying to work out the figures,” Miller said. 

Miller said the tentative plans are to build a new 150-room motel at the current Ringgold Road location in the 6500 block that would include a sit-down restaurant inside.

Several members of the IDB asked if the plan was for the new building to have a business model that would make the motel an “extended stay” facility? Miller said the city could not “outlaw” extended stay motels and that many successful lodging businesses offer “high end” extended stay options.

Miller said a possible solution to ensuring extended stay motels don’t turn into what amounts to apartment complexes is to adopt standards such as guests not being able to bring in their own furniture and other items, have daily maid service and have systematic code enforcement inspections.

Miller told the board about other projects in which the city and private businesses are negotiating.

He said that a two-story office building on the corner of Truman Street and Ringgold Road is going to be demolished and a new 7,000-square foot retail strip center will be constructed on the site. Miller said that perhaps the city could enter into an incentive agreement with the developer similar to the one in which the city has made for the redevelopment of the property at the old Long John Silver’s site at Mack Smith and Ringgold Roads.

That project being done by Tracy Tompkins-Tindall and Stonecrest Properties will be the home for a Dunkin Donuts and Firehouse Subs. A third retail store is planned for that building.

Several board members asked about the timetable for the construction of the new Exit 1 on Interstate 75. Miller said that there is currently a snag in state review which could delay the anticipated April start of the construction. He said that depending on the weather, he anticipated construction being completed by the end of this year.

That project – funded by TDOT, East Ridge and Hamilton County for $2 million –  is yet to be bid for construction.

Miller said that the developers of Jordan Crossing have nailed down the construction of a restaurant across Camp Jordan Parkway from the Bass Pro Shop. He did not inform the board of the specific restaurant. He said that as far as he knew no other businesses – aside from the Hampton Inn Motel which is due to begin construction soon – have committed to the project.

Board member Curtis Baker asked about the status of the East Ridge Flea Market property. Miller said that it was his understanding that the asking price was $6 million and that the numbers “won’t work there.”

Miller told the board that the city is working with the owners of the Waverly Motel on Ringgold Road to potentially build a new facility on the property which would be home to a sports-themed restaurant there.

He also noted that 2.2 acres on Ringgold Road across from the Speedway and the East Ridge Police Department is for sale. Two homes now occupy that property.

In addition, the property on the northeast corner of Mack Smith and Ringgold Roads has generated some interest in the business community. Miller said the property would be ideal for a restaurant that would have a drive-thru facility.

Miller pointed out that 10 acres of property near the Ridgewood Village Center may be available for re-development in the future. Several board members said they believed the property may be unsuitable as it sits in a flood plain. Miller said that was indeed the case on part of the property but that much of it could be developed.

“We are trying to get the word out to the business community that we want to work with them,” Miller said.

He said he was trying to get businesses on the west end of Ringgold Road to “buy in” to re-development. Miller told the board that he is working on plans to beautify Ringgold Road from Belvoir Avenue to the tunnel, including sidewalks and less obtrusive street lighting, to encourage interest. He anticipated letting bids for consultant engineering this year on the project and actual construction in 2018.

IDB Chairperson Ruth Braly bemoaned the slow pace of development and the potential for waning interest in East Ridge’s economic opportunities. Braly said that she wanted the kind of interest to be shown in East Ridge that has been generated on the South Side of Chattanooga near Market and Main Streets.

This prompted board member Estes Cocke to say, “East Ridge needs a theme.”

Miller agreed with Cocke’s assertion and said that “we need input from the community” to come up with such a theme.