Lupton Company wants to recreate close-knit, downtown vibe in Ooltewah
Leaders with The Lupton Company are seeking to engage local business owners and entrepreneurs about their mixed-use development project, called Cambridge Square, in Ooltewah.
“Currently, we are in a discovery process in terms of attracting retailers, business owners and commercial professionals to this site,” David Belitz, CFO of The Lupton Company, said in a letter to area business owners.
In the letter inviting area business people to an upcoming informational session, Belitz said that leaders of The Lupton Company see the new development as “an emerging gateway to the City of Chattanooga,” and they are hoping that well-established business owners can help recreate the close-knit feeling of downtown in Ooltewah.
“Much the way the aquarium spurred growth from the Tennessee River’s banks, we envision Cambridge Square anchoring, activating and further energizing the I-75 corridor,” Belitz said. “Ooltewah has undergone significant growth in the past decade, and with the introduction of Volkswagen, Amazon and other emerging industries, the economic opportunities are more promising than ever before.”
In November, leaders with The Lupton Company reached out to restaurant owners.
According to Nooga.com archives, architect Terry Barker said that restaurants attract development.
Cambridge Square will be located adjacent to the Honors Golf Course on 135 acres at the Ooltewah exit on I-75.
Infrastructure work is now underway, and although leaders have discussed a residential component, there are no immediate plans to begin home construction, Belitz said in the letter.
“A good portion of the property will remain natural and open,” she said.
At the upcoming meeting with area business owners and entrepreneurs, officials with The Lupton Company will discuss their vision for the development and talk about their strategy for driving economic development in the area.
“Ooltewah, much like downtown was 20 years ago, is prime for transition,” Belitz said. “We would like to see this transition championed by established, local businesses that understand this market and its long-term potential.”