Owners of the foundry property–a potential site for a new Chattanooga Lookouts (Class AA; Southern League) ballpark–are seeking a master developer to lead future redevelopment.
The 141-acre former Wheland/U.S. Pipe foundry property and surrounding area is being considered as the site of a new ballpark that would serve as an anchor for other amenities. Further discussion will need to take place to make the proposal a reality, but it is envisioned that the Lookouts’ new home would be surrounded by housing, commercial space, park space, retail, and other features.
With discussions over the site’s future continuing, owners of the foundry property indicate that they want to obtain a master developer that would oversee any future work at the site. For their part, the Lookouts maintain their interest in moving forward with a project at the foundry site that would include a new ballpark to replace the team’s current home, AT&T Field. More from The Times Free Press:
“We’re seeking site developers who have experience with these kinds of overall undertakings,” said Mike Mallen, part of the group holding the 141-acre former Wheland and U.S. Pipe properties.
Mallen said there could be interest by developers in an overall undertaking or a more phased-in approach.
During the summer, the local group may host site visits by interested parties, he said. They’ll then review the results of the request for proposals and go from there, Mallen said….
John Woods, a partner in the Lookouts, said the group “absolutely” is still interested in the foundry site. He said the group has been in meetings with Chattanooga political leaders and the River City Co., which provided the land where the existing AT&T Field is located near downtown’s riverfront.
Lookouts owner Hardball Capital has undertaken public-private partnership ballpark projects in other cities, including Fort Wayne (Parkview Field) and Columbia (Spirit Communciations Park). In both cases, the facilities were constructed through public-private projects that included a new ballpark and surrounding development.
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