Alton Park awaits jobs

Auto salvager with 50 slots possibility for brownfield

Alton Park residents and others said Thursday they’re hopeful about a new company that could land in the area and create about 50 jobs.

“This area needs some jobs,” said Alvin Arrhmaan, whose mother lives in the Chattanooga neighborhood. “That helps the young people.”

Chattanooga officials said they’re talking with a company that’s weighing the 50- employee operation on an 85-acre site off Workman Road.

City Councilman Manny Rico said the company would put in a high-tech auto salvage business.

“It’s not like the ones there now,” he said about the Workman Road area that holds several auto yards with an array of rundown vehicles.

Dan Thornton, the city’s director of general services, wouldn’t identify the business but sounded an optimistic note.

“If this is the winning proposal, there will be jobs in Alton Park,” he told about 50 people who turned out for a public hearing.

John Duckett, who owns land near the 85-acre tract, agreed that a venture that creates jobs is welcome.

“Especially this area needs all the help it could get,” he said.

Hamilton County Commissioner Joe Graham said it’s good to see property turned into productive sites.

“This neighborhood needs a boost,” he said.

Thornton said plans are to open development proposals for the site on Feb. 20.

He said the city is seeking a $ 550,000 federal grant to clean up the property, part of which is a salvage yard.

A greenway also could be created on the property, offi-