Public-Private Synergy Fuels Revitalization of Chattanooga’s Westside
- EJP
- Sep 4
- 4 min read
EJP serves as program manager for the Chattanooga Housing Authority, coordinating the implementation of the One Westside Plan in partnership with the City of Chattanooga, developers, architects, local organizations, and residents. A key part of EJP’s role has been structuring creative financing strategies to redevelop the Westside—including transforming all 629 units at College Hill Courts into a mixed-income community. By leveraging Low Income Housing Tax Credits, TIF, Choice Neighborhoods, CDBG, and other tools, EJP has helped secure the funding needed to bring the plan to life, including writing the successful grant that delivered $50 million in HUD Choice Neighborhoods funding.
By Maura Keller on August 19, 2025
For decades, public-private partnerships between government entities and private companies have proven to be transformational strategies for both organizations and communities alike. Greater Chattanooga’s efforts in this area can be seen through the successful One Westside Transformation Plan, a bold, community-driven initiative to revitalize 115 acres in Chattanooga’s historic Westside.
This overarching plan encompasses both the redevelopment of the 120-acre former industrial site known as The Bend and the comprehensive revitalization of the adjacent historic Westside community.
“The plan tackles longstanding challenges while creating a vibrant neighborhood where residents play a central role in shaping its future,” says Megan Bissonette, director of marketing and communications at Urban Story Ventures, a Southeast real estate development company that focuses on people-first, best-use development in urban hot spots and up-and-coming areas.
For over a decade, Urban Story Ventures has managed a diverse portfolio of properties, including office, industrial, retail and mixed-use.
“We are taking properties and brands that have seen better days and reimagining them for their highest and best use,” Bissonette says.
New Green Spaces
According to the Chattanooga Housing Authority, the initial objective of the One Westside project is to replace 629 aging public housing units. Subsequent goals include creating new green spaces to improve access to downtown Chattanooga and the riverfront, and converting the historic James A. Henry School into a vibrant community hub for career training, social services and education. When complete, the neighborhood will boast 1,126 new rental homes.
For the One Westside project, Urban Story Ventures received unanimous approval for the $115 million One Westside TIF (tax increment financing plan) in spring 2024. This took multiple years of collaboration among Urban Story Ventures, the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County and the Chattanooga Housing Authority.
Ultimately, as Bissonette explains, the arrangement allocated $135 million for public infrastructure at The Bend, $98 million for affordable housing on the Westside and $345 million for education. This TIF was the first of its kind in state history and was the third largest behind the Nissan Stadium and new Oracle campus, both in Nashville.
First of Its Kind
Since the early days following the acquisition of The Bend, Urban Story Ventures sought public input on the future of Chattanooga’s last prime piece of riverfront, stretching along 3,000 linear feet. Community members, including Westside Chattanooga residents, highlighted the need for public river access, ample work and living spaces, expansive green areas, an improved Riverwalk, and a safe, car-optional neighborhood.
“Through the years of negotiation with the city and the county, we were able to put together such a unique and mutually beneficial tax increment financing plan that we believe cities across the state and country will look to One Westside as a prime example of a well-done public-private partnership and blueprint for future TIFs,” Bissonette says.
The process wasn’t easy and required hundreds of calls and meetings, including representatives in real estate from the city, the county and the community as well as other business and community leaders.
“We had delegates from the state and national level involved, and we hosted countless tours of the property,” Bissonette says. “During the numerous City Council meetings, County Commission meetings and Industrial Development Board meetings, members from the community had the opportunity to ask questions and express their ideas and any concerns. We also hosted a charette for over 1,000 people early on to gather feedback on what the future of the site should look like.”
Bissonette emphasizes that the developments are all strong examples of how public-private partnerships can create lasting positive change, benefiting future generations of the community.
“The momentum of these projects is driven by the strength Chattanooga brings with its talented leadership, engaged community, unique technological resources and generous businesses,” Bissonette says. “It’s easy to see that both the public sector and private sector want what’s best for Chattanooga, and we can work together to uncover the best outcomes that both place people first and generate good investments.”
How Tax Increment Financing Works
Adam Myers, vice president of economic and talent development at the Greater Chattanooga Economic Partnership, says local governments define boundaries for a TIF area and then utilize future tax revenue to fund projects the city or county would not be able to fund through existing budgets or tax revenue.
“TIFs are often utilized to encourage redevelopment of blighted areas by encouraging private-sector investment as well as job creation that would otherwise not happen without support from local governments,” Myers says. “TIFs can help communities redevelop blighted property, create jobs and increase revenue for schools in communities. TIFs can also be a tool that can help fund transportation, housing and education projects.”
