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CHATTANOOGA, TENN (mocsnews.com) – New off-campus housing may be available to the UTC community as the new residential project developed at 418 Manufacturers Road will be around two miles from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s campus.
The seven-story residential development received approval to move forward with construction after receiving authorization from Chattanooga City’s Form-Based Code Committee in a meeting in the past week.
While the development is projected to be completed in the fall of 2024, it could mean new downtown housing for the UTC community.
Liz Palmer, director of development for Middle Street Partners in Tennessee, explained that the apartment plans to offer a mixture of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Planners hope to have access to the Tennessee River by boat dock and boardwalk.
Chattanooga Times Free Press – https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2022/nov/05/work-starts-on-271-apartments-on-chattanoogas/
Palmer believes this project will contribute to making Chattanooga’s North Shore area somewhere you can live, work and play. The complex will be located across the river from Ross’s Landing.
There are currently several apartment complexes on the North Shore, but they pale in comparison to the plans for this complex. This complex is also the first building to occupy an otherwise industrialized area.
The Chattanoogan’s aerial view image of the space where the apartments will be – https://www.chattanoogan.com/2023/5/27/469732/Major-New-7-Story-Residential.aspx
In both capacity and amenities, the development is predicted to be upscale. Palmer told the Times Free Press that the product would be on the upper end of the market.
“You will have incredible amenities at your fingertips,” Palmer told the Times Free Press.
Given this information, the apartments may not be a feasible option for the members of the UTC community living on a tighter budget.
While there isn’t a scarcity of apartments in the Chattanooga area, it can be difficult for members of the UTC community, particularly students, to find housing. If these apartments mimic the others in affordability, they are less likely to be habited by students on a budget.
UTC student Iciss Wilkerson said she feels lucky to live off-campus with her parents. She explained that the development sounds exciting, but that it sounds like something students couldn’t afford.
“I already have to pay for a lot of things off-campus, and I feel like my finances would skyrocket if I decided to rent,” said the student.
Another UTC Student, Ashley Stovall, seemed very interested in the apartments.
“I like the idea of a waterfront location close to school,” said Stovall, “It sounds amazing, and I’m interested.”
The project is in its beginning stages, and the Chattanooga community will likely know more as construction progresses.
