Community Driven
Designed in collaboration with residents
1 for 1 replacement for residents
A Reconnected Westside with integrated roads, green spaces, a Community Hub and enhanced support services for residents
One Westside Chattanooga Apartments
Where Housing, History, and Hope Meet
ONE WESTSIDE CHATTANOOGA
Through a year-long collaboration with residents, faith leaders, elected officials, and community partners, One Westside will reconnect the neighborhood—currently separated from downtown and the riverfront by highways and busy streets—through improved infrastructure and thoughtful urban planning.
A top priority is the one-for-one replacement of 629 aging public housing units at College Hill Courts and Gateway Tower. Built in 1940, College Hill Courts is Chattanooga’s largest public housing development, while Gateway Tower, built in 1974, provides 132 homes for seniors. These outdated buildings will be replaced with modern, high-quality apartment homes within the same 115-acre footprint, following a “Build First” strategy. This ensures that new homes are built before older ones are removed, allowing residents to transition smoothly into their new homes without displacement.
Beyond housing, the transformation plan introduces new green spaces, better connections to downtown and the riverfront, and the preservation of community landmarks. The historic James A. Henry School will become a dynamic community hub offering education, career training, and social services. Two beloved gathering places, “The Grace Tree” and the flagpole, will be memorialized as symbols of the neighborhood’s rich history.
The redevelopment will create 1,126 new apartment homes, 40% of which will be market-rate, fostering a truly mixed-income community. With a strong focus on sustainability and economic opportunity, One Westside is paving the way for a thriving, connected, and resilient neighborhood for generations to come.
Together, we’re building the future—right here in the heart of Chattanooga.
Elizabeth McCright
UPCOMING EVENTS
One Westside is paving the way for a thriving, connected & resilient neighborhood for generations to come.
The plans for Chattanooga’s One Westside include new mixed-income homes, improved green spaces, a community hub, and valuable resources while preserving its rich history.
Every resident of College Hill Courts and Gateway Towers will have a new, modern home. With “Build First,” new homes will be ready before any demolitions, preventing displacement.
The Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) Grant is a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to revitalize distressed public housing and transform struggling neighborhoods into vibrant, sustainable communities. The program provides funding to cities, housing authorities, and community partners to improve housing, neighborhood conditions, and opportunities for residents through a comprehensive, community-driven approach.
In July 2024, the Chattanooga Housing Authority (CHA) and the City of Chattanooga were awarded a $50 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant to support the transformation of College Hill Courts and the surrounding Westside neighborhood. This historic investment will bring new housing, economic development, infrastructure improvements, and essential services to the community.
How will the grant be used?
The One Westside Plan, developed by CHA, the City of Chattanooga, and community stakeholders, focuses on three key areas:
- Housing
- Neighborhood
- People
One Westside Community News:
Quarterly Snapshot 2025
- 6 months Ago
- 3 Min Read
One Westside made strong progress on Critical Community Improvements, including finishing touches on the James A. Henry Hub, planning the Creative Cultural Innovation Incubator, enhancing green spaces, and advancing public art projects like the underpass lighting and mural.
- 6 months Ago
- 3 Min Read
The Housing Plan is advancing at College Hill Courts, with new housing, improved streets, and community amenities. Phases 1 and 2 are underway, connecting residents to jobs and services, while planning for Phase 3 focuses on future infrastructure.
- 6 months Ago
- 3 Min Read
Fall brought job support and on site resources. People Plan highlights included career coaching from the mobile American Job Center, digital readiness workshops, Bookmobile literacy programs, a Dress for Success boutique, a Health Fair, and a Resource Fair.
One Westside Community News:
Quarterly Snapshot 2024
The Chattanooga Public Library began in 1887 as a small reading room with 4,200 books and expanded with support from Andrew Carnegie, opening its first public...
Empowering Women. Strengthening Chattanooga. This phrase represents Dress for Success Chattanooga’s mission. According to their Director of Operations, Dr. Robin Sturnes, “Dress for Success Chattanooga...
