M E M O R A N D U M

To:             Communication Task Force - UTC South of McCallie

From:           John Schaerer

Re:             Meeting - Tuesday, July 27, 1999

Date:           August 10, 1999

The Communication Task Force met Tuesday, July 27, 1999 in the Chickamauga
Room of the University Center. A summary of topics discussed appears below.
Please share the information and/or direct inquiries to the co-chairs
including: Juliette Thorton, Office of Community Development, City of
Chattanooga (755-0022); Richard Brown, Associate Vice-Chancellor for
Administrative Services (755-4525); and/or John Schaerer, Special Assistant
to the Chancellor (667-1211).


- Update on Property

Twenty-seven (27) of the thirty-five (35) parcels have been appraised and
nine (9) of the approved parcels for purchase have been closed.

- Architectural Study and Churches Chicken Building

As previously reported, the architects did not recommend renovation of the
"gray buildings" fronting on M. L. King Blvd.

Richard Brown reported that consideration is being given to the possibility
of opening the Churches Chicken building (corner of M. L. King and Mable
Street), as a site for UTC and the Design Center. This would become a
temporary site establishing a UTC presence on M. L. King Blvd for purposes
of planning and information dissemination. Such a center would be
convenient to M. L. King residents and businesses.

- Single Student Housing

The State Building Commission has approved the construction of single
student housing. The housing development will be located at E. 8th Street
and Douglas Street.

- Partnering with the Chattanooga Institute

The national conference (Oct 14-19) being organized by the American
Institute of Architects and the Environment, Urban Land Institute and the
US Green Building Council remains in the planning phase. The subcommittee
of the Communications Task Force submitted a case study document to the
planning group. The case study focuses on expansion south including such
issues as parking, streetscapes, use of the abandoned railroad
right-of-way, etc.

- Partnering with M. L. King District and Community (Summer Activities and
Future)

Continuing with plans reported previously by Joyce Smith, ICDC., ICDC City
Recreation Department and UTC are partnering relative to supervised
recreational activities during the summer. This partnership is intended to
continue to evolve and include the Sport/Recreational Area included in the
conceptual plan for campus expansion south of McCallie Avenue.

A Summer Break Cookout, organized by Joyce Smith was held June 24.
Approximately 40 children and several volunteer adults attended.
Recreational needs and interests were discussed. Several children
participated in Coach Dickerson's Basketball Camp and a swimming program is
currently being organized. Our congratulations for doing a great job goes
to Coach Dickerson, Jim Pulliam, Risk Management; Ron Nelson, EHLS; Mark
Swafford, EHLS, and Joyce Smith, ICDC.

- Safety and Security

The Weed and Seed program proposal is continuing on schedule including the
following components:

1) Community Policing
2) Reservation and Restoration
3) Law Enforcement
4) Prevention and Intervention

This program involves "weeding out" crime, etc. to establish a safe
neighborhood and "seeding" by implementing renovation and restoration
strategies.

- Church Relocation - Conversations Continued

Discussions continue with New Monumental Baptist Church regarding relocation.

- Conceptual Design and Continued Involvement

Materials received from Urban Collage Inc. were reviewed including the
conceptual design "perspective" and the single student housing
"perspective". In addition, charts were reviewed indicating progress and
challenge.

The materials are impressive and illustrate positive results of working in
partnership with others. As noted previously, the Client Committee included
persons who represent those most likely to be directly impacted by the
university's expansion. (Churches fronting McCallie Avenue or E 8th Street,
Inner City Development Corporation, M. L. King Task Force, elected
representatives, MLK Community Development Corporation, 28th District
Community Development Corporation, resident etc.) The Client Committee
reached consensus, in principle, regarding the conceptual design with the
understanding that modifications will possibly occur due to 1) the
uniqueness of each partnership, 2) infrastructure needs and/or 3) various
financial arrangements.

Members of the Client Committee included representatives from New
Monumental Baptist Church (Rev. Caldwell); First Christian Church (Mr.
Cates); First Church of Christ, Scientist (Mrs. Bradley); 1st Baptist
Church (Pastor McKee); State Representative Brown; Councilman Pierce;
Commissioner Cotton; Mr. Koegel, UTC Staff; Mrs. Green, M. L. King
Community Development Corporation; Mr. Saieed, Hamilton County; Anita
Polk-Conley, M. L. King; Harry Tate, M. L. King Task Force Chair; Juliette
Thornton, Community Development City of Chattanooga; Joyce Smith, Inner
City Development Corporation; Ruth Rhodes, resident; Allen Derthick,  First
Christian Church; Debra Maddox, Chattanooga Institute; Valerie Rutledge,
UTC Staff; Richard Brown, UTC Staff; Richard MacDougall, UTC Staff; James
Miller, 28th District Community Development Corporation.

The expansion south of McCallie Avenue continues to involve many people who
work and/or live in the M. L. King District. This partnering is
establishing a helpful and healthy relationship between UTC and the
community. UTC in touch with the community is an integral part of the
university's tripartite commitment of teaching, research and service. The
guiding principles and goals shown below continue to be applied in all
aspects of the expansion south.

Principles (Development thru community charrets during the summer 1998)

Principle #1 - A campus should be a complete microcosm of the community
with a wide variety of activities, uses and people with a focus on higher
education and learning.

Principle #2 - The special identity of our city should be matched by the
special identity of its university.

Goals of the University (see pamphlet - Focus on the Future):

- Improving the potential of partnerships
- Enhancing the learning environment

Thank you for keeping UTC in Touch!

An announcment of the next scheduled Communication Task Force meeting will
be sent out at a later date.


John Schaerer
Special Assistant to the Chancellor