DL Opinion columns

Preserve Chattanooga: by securing its history – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

When I saw that a public workshop was offered at the downtown public library featuring Preserve Chattanooga (PC), I knew where I’d be that afternoon.  The mission of PC is to protect the architectural heritage of Chattanooga through preservation, education, and advocacy. That’s a dream of any urban planner, which I was decades ago in Chicago. I designed my masters degree in urban planning to focus on Arts and Culture and got involved in Chicago’s museums and historic architecture. 

How exciting to hear about developing an Historic Preservation Plan for our city!  Chattanooga’s last plan was formed back in 1977. It’s time to build consensus, advocate public policies, secure funding, and enhance lives with a new plan. The session began with Phil Walker outlining the process of our discussion and of the plan formation. Phil heads The Walker Collaboration (TWC) which focuses on developing collective visions for urban planning, historic preservation, and revitalizing neighborhoods.

Prefacing the discussion was a presentation by Phil Thomason, an expert in preservation. He reviewed Chattanooga’s historic themes: Native Americans and The Trail of Tears, Railroads during the Civil War and part of our industry hub post war. Later, Chattanooga’s African American community was a hub of civil rights activism. Phil explained that over time, many neighborhoods were annexed into the City and are now protected Local Historic Districts including Fort Wood and St. Elmo.

In recent years there has been growth in restorations, especially in Moccasin Bend and Civil War sites. But while we hear stories about their existing preservation programs and policies, unprotected historic structures are often being demolished. 

That’s when we heard about applications for Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) for historic preservation. These permits are required before making exterior changes, additions, or new construction in a designated historic district. I had no idea that you can, and should, apply for the permit by submitting project descriptions, materials and site plans to your local Historic Preservation Commission or city planning department.

Unfortunately there is a general lack of knowledge about COAs and little engagement around historic preservation. The disinterest was highlighted in a survey with results underscoring the lack of public action for preservation.  Given the current growth and development pressures as well as park disengagement at the federal level, we need more activists.

The workshop’s action-related suggestions were practical applications of requirements and guidelines: 1) Real estate projects should be required to include historic issues. 2) Need to create new historic district, 3) Need to expand current historic districts, 4) Need more architectural resources for preservation, 5) Need to embed historic zoning within the criteria for re-zoning projects, 6) Use Conservation zoning as an alternative to historic rezoning – it’s less restrictive but has more public engagement.  

These issues are vital to preserving Chattanooga’s history. But outreach to the public is as important. We must educate folks, make them aware and engaged. This education is undertaken by organizations like our National Park Partners. Stories are an impactful element of this education that can involve us all. Even familiar ones are worth repeating. Take the stories in The Scenic City magazine’s blog: “Hidden in Plain Sight: Chattanooga’s History is Everywhere”.  I will always remember the story of how my Mizpah Congregation synagogue became a designated Tennessee Historical Preservation Site in 1979. My engagement in guaranteed!

I’ve been inspired to write stories by a Mizpah founding family member, Ruth Holmberg, who made history as editor of The Chattanooga Times (1964-1992). In Ruth’s honor, I often engage us in history through the stories in these opinion columns. 

You probably have stories, too. Share them, engage and motivate us to preserve our history.

Editor-in-Chief
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