🌱 Housing Authority $1B Renovation Plan + CPD Captain Investigation

Morning, friends. Danielle Fallon-O'Leary here with your fresh copy of the Chattanooga Patch newsletter, full of all the things you need to know about what's going on in town. In today's newsletter.

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:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 67 Low: 40.

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Here are the top three stories in Chattanooga today:

1. The Chattanooga Housing Authority plans to redevelop its largest housing project and surrounding areas with nearly $1 billion of mixed-use housing and support facilities with the help of the city, county, and federal grants over the next decade. The first phase of the redevelopment plan should begin next year, integrating market-rate rental units, new commercial space, and subsidized housing to connect the enclave with the rest of downtown. Columbia Residential has been chosen to develop a plan for the Westside and to help secure federal grants and tax credits to finance new housing and commercial development in the area. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
2. The Chattanooga Public Library and Hamilton County Schools have launched a new program providing free public library cards to all Hamilton County School teachers, regardless of their residence. This program extends the HCS Student Card program, which allows K-12 students to obtain a free public library card at the beginning of each school year. Teachers can now access over 500,000 digital and print books and DVDs, makerspace tools, power and yard tools, and passes to various attractions by visiting any library location and showing their HCS identification badge to sign up for a free yearly CPL card. (The Chattanoogan)
3. The Chattanooga Police Department has launched an internal investigation into Capt. Mark Smeltzer following allegations of harassment. Smeltzer, who has been with the department for over 20 years, is still on the job while the investigation takes place. The nature of the harassment allegations has not been disclosed, and it is unknown whether the alleged incident occurred while Smeltzer was on duty. (WTVC)

Today in Chattanooga:

• Alton Park Community Market At The Bethlehem Center (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you looking for the perfect summer camp to enroll your child? Take a look at CityScope's 2023 Guide to Chattanooga Area Summer Camps, where you're bound to find one that's the right fit! (CityScope® Magazine)
• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Chattanooga area at the link! (Chattanooga Patch)
• The Chattanooga Chapter of the American Inns of Court raised nearly $15,000 in December to benefit The Children’s Advocacy Center through a charity auction attended by Inn Members and through individual donations. The director of external affairs at the CAC expressed her gratitude for the support given to the children in the community who have experienced abuse. (The Chattanoogan)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right! I'll see you back in your inbox soon with a new update.

— 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.