🌱 City's Plan For Affordable Housing + Office Park Adds Townhomes

Good morning, friends! It's Saturday in Chattanooga and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in town.

Also, FYI: I wanted to let you know that Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Chattanooga Patch newsletter and make it their own. We want to pass the torch to someone truly local and in-the-know to write about Chattanooga long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 50 Low: 34.

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Here are the top three stories today in Chattanooga:

1. Chattanooga is offering federal grant money as an incentive to make more affordable housing available in the city to meet the increasing demands. The city plans to use $3 million in funding as part of its initiative to increase the number of affordable housing options for residents. City officials estimate that Chattanooga needs more than 5,000 affordable housing options within city limits to meet current demands. (WTVC)
2. A Brainerd office park is planning to add more than 100 townhomes. Work has already begun on the first 56 townhomes in Midtown Office Park. The owner said he plans to rent the townhomes once work is completed. (Subscription: Chattanooga Times Free Press)
3. Chattanooga organizations and members of the Chattanooga beer board raised questions and concerns regarding a new law that went into effect on Jan. 1, requiring further training for bar bouncers and security personnel. Dallas' Law requires training for bouncers and security in areas like de-escalation, restraint safety, first aid, and CPR. However, some organizations and officials are concerned that many bar and restaurant owners may be unaware of the law and how such a law can be enforced. (Subscription: Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Today in and around Chattanooga:

• Sweetheart Market At Mountain Arts Community Center, Signal Mountain (10:00 AM)
• Alton Park Community Market At The Bethlehem Center (12:00 PM)
• My Fair Lady At Tivoli Theatre (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Hoist your sails for the Chattanooga Boat Show! The annual event returns to Chattanooga this weekend and will run until Feb. 5. Doors open today (Feb. 4), from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 5, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (WDEF News 12)
• Country music legend Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives will stop at the Walker Theatre in Chattanooga next week! The show is on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. You can grab your tickets here. (WDEF News 12)
• Spring break might still be a ways away, but college students, faculty, and staff can still take a quick local getaway. The Tennessee Aquarium offers a 50 percent discount on admissions to the aquarium and 45-minute Imax 3D films in February. These College Day discounts apply to anyone coming along with the student, faculty, or staff member and are available every day except Saturday. (Chattanooga Pulse)
• Bring home a new furry family member today! Check out this roundup of adoptable pets in the Chattanooga area and learn more about Rudolph and Roscoe, Juno, Maxie, and more! (Chattanooga Patch)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.