| Name | Elizabeth |
|---|---|
| Last Name | McCright |
| Home Address | 8601 Berkley Ln Hixson, Tennessee 37343 United States |
| Organization Name | Chattanooga Housing Authority |
| Describe Your Role In The Organization | Executive Director |
| Organization Address | 801 North Holtzclaw Avenue Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404 United States |
| Website | https://www.chahousing.org |
| Best Phone Number To Reach You | 423-322-5133 |
| Alternate Phone Number | 423-668-2374 |
| Email Address | bmccright@chahousing.org |
| Alternate Email Address | lblaylock@chahousing.org |
| Please Describe Your Project In Detail | The Chattanooga Housing Authority (CHA) is pleased to present its Westside Evolves project that is based on “Building Stronger Communities through Investments in Housing and Neighborhoods” and “Addressing Educational Disparities” as outlined in the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funding Interim Final Rule. Background: The Chattanooga Housing Authority (CHA) is proposing a project that will significantly impact citizens residing on approximately 130 acres of land in downtown Chattanooga, commonly known as “the Westside.” The area is bordered by Martin Luther King Boulevard, I-27, West Main Street, and Riverfront Parkway. The Westside is one of Chattanooga’s oldest neighborhoods and is home to approximately 1,500 families. Roughly 87% of the residents are African American who earn less than $15,000 per year. The poverty rate in this neighborhood is 87%. The proportion of Westside residents without a high school diploma is more than two times the rate in the City of Chattanooga. The crime rate has increased in this neighborhood during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a spike of 40% in cases of domestic violence and a 65% increase in violent criminal activity. In 2020, the CHA partnered with the Chattanooga Design Studio, and the City of Chattanooga to facilitate a community-centric planning process to develop a Transformation Plan for the Westside Neighborhood with extensive collaboration with residents, businesses, the faith-based community, and other stakeholders. The Transformation Plan envisions the demolition of outdated public housing units, the preservation of existing affordable units and creation of new affordable and market rate units in a mixed-income community; the introduction of community amenities including spaces for commercial, retail and services; the improvement of community spaces such as the Sheila Jennings Park, and the creation of a community hub at the James A. Henry School for education, career enhancement opportunities, skills training, medical and behavioral health services, as well as art and cultural endeavors. The Plan envisions the creation of a healthy and sustainable community that provides long term physical, social, and economic benefits for all residents. The Fiscal Recovery Funds will positively impact the negative effects of COVID-19 on this community and will assist in the immediate implementation of the Westside Transformation Plan. The Proposed Project: Building Stronger Communities Through Investment in Housing and Neighborhoods & Addressing Educational Disparities The proposed project contains two discrete components that directly respond to the disproportionate negative impact that COVID-19 has had on the Westside Community and will assist in the development of a much stronger, more economically viable community, through investment in the neighborhood and housing and will also address educational disparities. Component 1 – James A. Henry School Renovation and Expansion & Improvements to Sheila Jennings Park The requested funds will be used to renovate the existing James A. Henry School and to expand the footprint of the building to create a neighborhood hub. The community hub will be anchored by a 100-seat Head Start facility for young children, and be supplemented by a range of community-serving amenities include the following: after-school and summer programming for youths, computer training lab, medical and behavioral services, a food pantry, incubator space for small and micro businesses, expansion of the SPLASH Youth Arts Program, exhibit space to house community-created art, culture and history, and flexible/multipurpose space for educational, social and recreational activities for children and adults with access to medical/behavioral services. This space will also be reserved for community gathering and community-building activities. The new community hub will also offer Wi-Fi access so children and their families can have access to reliable and affordable internet services in the neighborhood. In conjunction with the renovation and expansion of the James A. Henry School, improvements will be made to the adjacent Sheila Jennings Park, which will include enhanced landscaping, walking trails, picnic areas, and green space for neighborhood residents to gather outdoors in a safe and healthy setting. Parks renovations will be designed to serve diverse populations including the elderly, disabled individuals and children. Component 2 – Demolition of City-Owned Youth and Family Development (YFD) Building and Related Site-Work and Infrastructure for Development of Residential Units in a Mixed-Used Community (Amenities and Possible Creation of Commercial Spaces) The requested funds will be used to demolish the City-owned YFD Building located on the Westside footprint and for site preparation work for future development of residential units and amenities and the possible creation of commercial spaces. The City has proposed to transfer the YFD Building and land to the CHA so that the CHA may develop new mixed-income housing, community amenities and possible creation of commercial space on the site. This site is the first phase in the overall Transformation Plan that allows CHA to advance a “build-first strategy”. The build-first strategy addresses the housing needs of the community, which contemplates creating new affordable housing before any CHA units are demolished. This phase will require no initial resident relocation from this very attractive area of the City and residents can observe the creation of the new housing opportunities and move in upon completion of the development. Since the YFD Building currently supports 60 Head Start seats, it is essential that the James A. Henry School be completed first with a capacity for 100 Head Start seats, in order to accommodate the children who attend Head Start in the community. |
| Please explain how your project meets the requirements of the American Rescue Plan | Given the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on low income households, there is a risk that the current pandemic-induced recession could further negatively impact this community of concentrated poverty and cause long term damage to economic, educational, mental and behavioral health conditions of families residing in the Westside Neighborhood. During the pandemic, the negative impacts on this community were many: crime spiked with increased violent crime and incidents of domestic violence, the majority of residents who worked were in low paying service jobs at local hotels, restaurants, and other businesses, most of which were shuttered in early March 2020, thereby exacerbating high levels of pre-pandemic unemployment. Previously available transportation to grocery stores, medical appointments, and other amenities was curtailed. Food insecurity spiked. Children were forced into remote learning environments, without the necessary resources and supports to complete coursework. The pandemic widened educational disparities and worsened outcomes for the CHA’s low income students. Parents were unfamiliar with homeschooling practices, adding further stress to the families’ efforts to cope with the pandemic. Community rooms were closed, access to faith-based services were suspended, and the lack of human engagement devastated the mental wellness of the Westside community, thereby increasing the isolation and anxiety that social interaction often alleviates. It is now widely known that low income communities and people of color face higher rates of infection, hospitalizations and death, and Westside residents were no exception. Residents consistently reported to CHA staff and others about the devastating effect of the COVID-19 virus on other residents, friends and family members. Each component of the project meets the requirements of the American Rescue Plan in the following ways: Component 1 – James A. Henry School Renovation and Expansion & Improvements to Sheila Jennings Park To address educational disparities: 1. The creation of 100 Head Start seats for the community, an increase of 40 new seats, gives availability to more eligible children to access quality early learning programs where they live. No transportation will necessary! 2. The creation of an IT training room that will have ready access to free Wi-Fi and the Internet; 3. The creation of flexible community spaces at the new community hub where CHA can leverage the services of local partners to deliver targeted services that address the academic needs of students - tutoring, summer and afterschool education programming, homework assistance; extended learning and enrichment programs; To build stronger communities: 1. The creation of access to a medical/behavioral health clinic in the neighborhood to provide access to vaccinations, immunizations, and other vital basic healthcare services; 2. The availability of job training and career enhancement services; 3. Exposure to rich artistic and cultural experiences; 4. The combination of art and education to contribute to improved community mental health; 5. The creation of safe recreational areas for exercise and family interactions to improve health outcomes and quality of life for residents of the community; 6. Much needed site improvements with enhanced landscaping, street scaping and lighting will create a safer environment; 7. Residential units combined with services, recreational, social and educational opportunities will achieve better quality of life for the residents in terms of health, environment, social, and economic opportunities. Component 2 – Demolition of City-Owned Youth and Family Development (YFD) Building and Site Preparation Work for Future Development of Residential Units and Amenities and Possible Creation of Commercial Spaces This will offer opportunities to increase the supply of affordable and high-quality residential units in the Westside Neighborhood. |
| Where would your project take place? | The overall project will take place in downtown Chattanooga in a neighborhood, commonly known as “the Westside.” The area is bordered by Martin Luther King Boulevard, I-27, West Main Street, and Riverfront Parkway. Specifically, the James A. Henry School and Sheila Jennings Park are located at 1241 Grove Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402. The YFD Building and land are located at 501 West 12th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402. |
| How much will your project cost in total? | 9999999 |
| Do you have any matching funding sources from other local governments, private entities, non-profits, or philanthropic entities for your project? | Yes |
| Please describe the source and list amounts of any other funding. | In the development and implementation of the Westside Master Plan, the CHA, City of Chattanooga, foundations, private sources, and miscellaneous donors committed a total of $$830,000 as set forth below: CHA $491,000 City $100,000 Private &; Miscellaneous $ 14,000 Foundations (3) $225,000 TOTAL $830,000 These sources paid for the Transformation Plan and predevelopment costs associated with the design and space utilization plan for the James A. Henry School and Sheila Jennings Park. The Chattanooga Design Studio and City of Chattanooga have pledged staff support for the project valued at $75,000 for Chattanooga Design studio, and substantial staff support from City of Chattanooga and Chattanooga Housing Authority of much greater value. |
| What portion of the project are you asking the city to fund? | The whole amount. The total costs for Components 1 and 2 are $18,000,000 as set forth below: Component 1 – James A. Henry School and Sheila Jennings Park James A. Henry School Rehab $5,000,000 James A. Henry School Head Start Facility Addition $2,000,000 Sheila Jennings Park $6,000,000 Component 2 – YFD Building and Improvements (Improvements include: vehicular and pedestrian pavement, site work, demolition of structures, storm water, landscaping, amenity package, and parking) $ 5,000,000 Note: Project costs include environmental review, project plan survey, design fees, bid documents, project management, construction, and turn over. |
| If funded, when would your project start? | May 1, 2022 |
| How long would your project take to complete? | Both projects will run concurrently and will have a combined timeline of 36 months to complete. |
| What milestones would you use to measure your project’s progress? | Component 1: 1. Completion of design and space allocation plan. 2. Securing community consensus (Presentation of proposed design to the community and other stakeholders). 3.Procurement of Developer to implement plan. 4.Start and complete construction. Component 2: 1. Completion of relocation of City administrative offices. 2. Transfer of land from City to CHA. 3. Procurement of Developer to implement plan Demolition of YFD Building. 4. Completion of site preparation. |
| How would you ensure accountability and transparency throughout the project lifecycle? | A. Strong Fiscal Oversight: The CHA has a Finance Department staffed with accountants who work daily on over $40,000,000 of grant allocations. This staff is familiar with accounting principles necessary to monitor the funding and expenditure of funds, to develop reports to the granting authority, to maintain records and to audit the grant award from start to finish. B. Strong project management team. The CHA has a development department which manages all capital developments, with a team of qualified engineers and architectural designers; and long term seasoned project managers. C. Public Access to Grant Records: The CHA is a public body corporate and politic under TN law, whose records are open for review by all members of the public. D. Regular project updates will be posted to The Westside Evolves website. E. CHA will continue to host resident and Community Advisory Group meetings and open houses to update everyone on the progress of implementation, continuing a tradition that started during the planning effort. F. CHA will share information related to the grant award and the project through social media {Facebook}, meetings with the Westside Community Advisory Group, residents of the neighborhoods, elected officials, members of the faith-based community, business owners and other stakeholders. |
| If successful, how would your project benefit the community? | These two projects are extracted from an overall Westside Evolves Transformation Plan that recognizes that the heart of this neighborhood is its residents. As such, these proposed projects leverage the strengths of the community—building upon existing assets and harnessing the market forces already transforming nearby areas. The long-term vision is to transform the Westside neighborhood into a community that is thriving, promotes resident pride and unity among neighbors, and is integrated into the surrounding area. The vision of the plan is to create a healthy and sustainable community that provides long term physical, social and economic benefits for all residents. The project envisions a holistic set of strategies to improve the quality of life and personal well-being of the community which was compromised by the pandemic. These projects will develop open space and amenities to promote exercise, socializing, community building and time outdoors and increasing a sense of personal safety as an effort to recover from the pandemic effect on the community. This strategy is realized through the redevelopment and repositioning of Shelia Jennings Park and the preservation and expansion of the James A. Henry School into a “hub” for community activity and improvement of the community. Westside residents highly value education and supports for youth in the community. To prepare children for success in college and career, there must be effective family and community supports coupled with strong academic experiences. During the pandemic, homeschooling children was a challenge for the majority of the community members. The community hub prioritizes expanded access to quality early childhood education, providing parents the support they need to be strong caregivers from cradle to college, and offering relevant, desirable, accessible, and consistent youth programming. Preserving and expanding existing after school and summer programs through the YFD Head Start Program and informing parents of where and when these resources are available are important first steps. Youth programming provides opportunities to enhance children’s social, emotional, educational, and physical development. In addition to youth, investments in workforce development that remove obstacles and help individuals gain the skills they need for economic success are critical. Key to this endeavor is providing reliable access to the internet and enhancing the public transportation network. These two projects combined help to jump-start implementation of the Westside Evolves Transformation Plan that aims to enhance and promote social, economic, and physical benefits to its residents. The Plan values community-building and connection through the introduction of high-quality housing, a higher quality of life and well-being, and diverse education and employment opportunities to the Westside which was compromised by the pandemic. |
| How will you attract community buy-in for your project? | CHA, the City of Chattanooga, and the Design Studio invested in a robust community engagement process over 12 months that resulted in the Westside Evolves Transformation Plan, of which these two projects are community priorities. Throughout Westside Evolves Planning process, the Westside Community and other stakeholders were engaged through individual surveys, workshops, block party, individual meetings, television programming, small group presentations, social media updates, press releases, and other media to secure buy-in for the Plan. These community members consistently offered support for this proposed project. The CHA will continue to engage the community for buy-in using these practices that proved successful. |
| Name | Lindsey Willke |
| Contact Information | lwillke@chattanoogastudio.com / 423-664-4837 |
| Name | Rhae Parkes |
| Contact Information | parkes@ejpconsultinggroup.com / 301-442-2282 |
| Is there anything else you would like us to know about your project? | More than a half century ago, Chattanooga — like so many other cities — constructed an urban highway that leveled historically diverse neighborhoods, decimated the social fabric, and made the city increasingly fragmented, separated, and fragile. Urban renewal’s “Golden Gateway” project caused sweeping changes with promises of progress, revitalization, and revival. It has rather become one of this city’s greatest policy and planning mis-steps, creating an isolated concentration of people with need of assistance deeper into poverty and declined health, mobility and connectivity. The Westside Transformation Plan aims to address these missteps by intentionally aligning with the CITY OF CHATTANOOGA’S ONE CHATTANOOGA STRATEGIC PLAN in the following ways: 1. Expand access to early learning: The Westside Transformation Plan (The Plan) seeks to return the James A. Henry School as a vibrant community asset with a range of services including early learning, healthcare, training, art and culture and much more. 2. Invest in historically underserved neighborhoods. The Plan seeks to invest hundreds of millions into the neighborhood by redeveloping housing, infrastructure, economic development, parks and open spaces, safety and people. The James A. Henry School will be a hive of activity to host a combination of year-round social, health, education, and recreation services. Health and wellness opportunities could include on-site medical care and information, classes and workshops, and social events and gathering spaces where people can build friendships and reduce isolation. 3. Expand the inventory of affordable housing: The Plan will preserve and expand affordable housing, delivering a range of housing options for diverse incomes and family types. The Westside is surrounded by transitioning neighborhoods fueled by downtown’s and waterfront investments. Long-term investments in housing and public spaces drive outcomes to improve equity and shared prosperity. 4. Expand access and connect our parks, trails, and greenways system. The Plan will enhance the existing parks, existing street network, and expand connections to the River, the Riverwalk, and to Downtown. Public spaces that foster interaction provide opportunities for creating connections across social divisions will be preserved and enhanced. 5. Leverage and improve outdoor spaces to advance public health. The Plan for Shelia Jennings Park will offer more plantings, shade, seating areas and amenities for people in the neighborhood. Encouraging more residents to connect with nature with comfortable, flexible gathering spaces that can encourage people to stay and enjoy time with others. Improvements to this park would fit into a larger strategy to invest in the long-term physical as well as mental health and wellness of all Westside residents. |