We are just days away from 2021 and with the New Year comes new projects, plans, and amendments to our ever-changing skyline. And, after the year we just had, it’s no surprise that Chattanooga is jonesin’ for something new to look forward to –– development-wise that is.

So without further ado, here are eight upcoming developments you can look forward to this coming year right here in Chattanooga.

Alton Park beautification project | 4000 Hughes Ave

The Net Resource Foundation recently partnered with Westside Missionary Baptist Church to launch a new Alton Park beautification project at 4000 Hughes Ave. The roughly $52,000 project, which is set to be completed in June 2021, will feature an outdoor performance venue, tree-covered paths, a spot for summer and after-school programs, and a community garden. Learn more about the project here.

2.The Bend | Riverfront Parkway

This is what The Bend could eventually look like. | Dover, Kohl & Partners

About 112 acres where the former Alstom plant was will be redeveloped and called The Bend. (Initially the name was going to be West End.) The idea is to have a “highly walkable, car-optional neighborhood,” with mixed-use development, comprising varying housing types, businesses, recreation + entertainment.

3. Food City | Broad and West 13th streets

The new store is planned for the Southside. | Food City

The latest plans for the supermarket show a second-level mezzanine inside + a canopy-covered area outside for farmers-market uses. The almost 53,000 square-foot Food City would be located at the corner of Broad and West 13th Streets and include bus stop seating, bike racks, and 185 parking spaces south of the building.

4. Gestamp | Hickory Valley Road. + Ferdinand Piech Way

In 2019, Hamilton County schools got a new grant to develop additional apprenticeship opportunities for students. That expands on the program Gestamp already has in the schools. | Hamilton County schools

Automotive engineering company Gestamp is investing $94.7 million to expand its operations at its Hickory Valley Road. + Ferdinand Piech Way plants. This expansion will create 260 new jobs in Hamilton County over the next five years. The company, which is a Volkswagen supplier, plans to add to both facilities for increased capacity and will undergo retrofitting, weld assembly, and robotics updates.

5. Publix | 3535 Broad St.

The new Publix is going at the base of Signal Mountain in the former Mt. Vernon Restaurant was for 63 years. After years of planning, officials broke ground in September 2020. | NOOGAtoday

After years of planning, officials broke ground in September 2020. It will go onto a 32-acre lot with hundreds of parking spaces. The 32,000-square-foot Publix is expected to open in fall 2021, after developers compromised to put the small retail space facing Broad Street.

6. St. Elmo park | 4909 Saint Elmo Ave

This park is getting a facelift thanks to the BCBST Foundation. | NOOGAtoday

The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation is planning to help fund more exercise + playground equipment at the St. Elmo park in 2021. The organization is celebrating its 75th anniversary by donating $7.5 million to enhance parks across the state, including $750,000 to the city park in St. Elmo that will go toward a fitness station, challenge course, children’s play areas, and a community lawn. Construction is scheduled to begin next year.

7. Trader Joes | 2111 Gunbarrel Road

The people of Chattanooga have been asking for Trader Joe’s for years, literally. | Shutterstock

The Trader Joe’s people haven’t officially confirmed, aside from saying they are considering Chattanooga, but local news outlets, such as the Chattanooga Times Free Press + NewsChannel 9, found local plans and renderings that show the new store is planned for the former AAA building. We know our readers are thrilled about this. You’ve been asking for a Trader Joe’s forever.

8. Weigel’s | 5867 Highway 153 and beyond

More places to fuel up + grab a snack to come | Shutterstock

Convenience store chain Weigel’s is set to start work early next year on building the first of roughly six planned locations for the Chattanooga area. The first store will be located at 5867 Highway 153 in Hixson and will include diesel pumps for trucks. The Weigel’s stores will be built one after another.

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