More residential units are planned downtown near the riverfront on a steep lot at First and Cherry streets.
The River City Company is currently seeking requests for proposals from developers for the steep 95-foot-by-65-foot lot behind the First and Market condos.
River City officials said, "We are excited about how this parcel will put a finishing touch on this well established and successful district, once again contributing to the vibrancy of our downtown.
"Again, we appreciate your interest and look forward to your proposal. First and Market, Limited Partnership has the development rights to this highly desirable and key parcel in the Riverfront District of downtown Chattanooga.
"The site is currently an unimproved lot, approximately 6,175 square feet in area.Developers are sought to create a sustainable mixed-use (for sale residential and optional quiet retail/commercial) project that will increase the availability of housing in the district and animate the street/public realm.
"Developer Selection will be made based upon these evaluation criteria:
- The overall desirability, compatibility and programmatic concept.
- Consistency with the expected uses and requirements set forth in this document.
- Demonstrated ability of the developer to undertake a project of this magnitude; as well as overall financial stability and size of the firm(s).
- Time frame for the proposed development.
- Overall positive impact on downtown. It is anticipated that construction will commence on this project in 2017 with a strict completion deadline in 2019. Firm timelines and performance dates will be negotiated with the selected developer/proposer."
Helen Burns Sharp, nearby resident, said, "It is a challenging site. I hope there will be an opportunity for neighborhood input. We know first-hand about the topography and site distance issues at Cherry and First.
"Cherry Street provides the only vehicular access to the 140 homes in the two Museum Bluffs complexes. The 100 block of Cherry is already being used more for deliveries as Walnut transitions into more of a park-like street. I hope that access for any new development will be restricted to the existing driveway on First.
"The RFQ suggests that River City is anticipating four owner-occupied units that could be condo-type flats or multi-story townhomes. The townhomes in the 200 block of Cherry set the bar for how nice this kind of development can be.
"Museum Bluffs owners with views facing west or south may be interested in building elevations and how they will be measured, given the topography."