Officials to discuss possible redevelopment plans with Westside residents

Mayor Ron Littlefield will discuss potential plans to bring a new mixed-income housing development to Chattanooga with members of the Westside community in an open meeting Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at the James. A Henry Resource Center, located at 1200 Grove St.

Though no official arrangements have been made, the Westside is one of three possible sites to have been named for redevelopment, which would be overseen by Atlanta-based nonprofit Purpose Built Communities. The plan, brought before the Chattanooga City Council earlier this month, drew objection from a group of community members who expressed concerns of being displaced from their homes.

Richard Beeland, spokesman for Littlefield, said the mayor would be on hand with representatives from Purpose Built Communities to hear what Westside residents would like to see. Littlefield had said a public meeting would be held in late February to discuss the proposal.

"Regardless of what happens or wherever it happens, public housing is not the way it used to be, and things are going to change regardless of what people want," Beeland said. "We want to make sure that whatever happens, we engage with the residents of the community and not just those who are out fearmongering. We need to talk about real issues and not just fear."

Updated @ 10:56 a.m. on 02/21/12 to change the location of the meeting from the Westside Recreation Center to the James A. Henry Resource Center.