FAQs

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 Frequently asked questions about the Airport Inn conversion

- Is the City purchasing the other motels in the area to turn into permanent supportive housing?

- What is happening to the other two extended-stay motels near the Airport Inn?

- How will the City ensure the surrounding community, including the children in the surrounding schools, are safe?

- What will happen to the stretch of property behind the Airport Inn that the City also owns?

- When did the City buy the Airport Inn and for how much money?

- Who will manage the renovation?

- How will the City ensure the community is engaged throughout the process to address ongoing issues or concerns?

- What transportation options will be available to the residents

- Will there be 24/7 security onsite?

- How will residents be screened for eligibility?

- What type of measures is in place to ensure the accountability of residents once they move in?

- Who will run and manage the facility?

Safety of and Plans for the Area Around the Airport Inn

• Is the City purchasing the other motels in the area to turn into permanent supportive housing?

No. The City does not own the two extended-stay motels next to the Airport Inn and has no plans to purchase them.

• What is happening to the other two extended-stay motels near the Airport Inn?

A development company interested in the properties has applied to rezone them for multi-family residential use. The result of that request is between the company and the Regional Planning Commission, and if approved will proceed to City Council for a vote. The administration is not involved in this process.

• How will the City ensure the surrounding community, including the children in the surrounding schools, are safe?

Calls for service have already decreased 47% following the city’s purchase of and closure of the Airport Inn. While we don’t anticipate any criminal activity resulting from the new permanent supportive housing complex, the Chattanooga Police Department will be increasing enforcement around the area to further reduce incidents of violence or criminal violations - the vast majority of which are currently linked to the two remaining extended stay motels operating in the area.

To assist in increased enforcement, CPD’s most recent cadet class will largely graduate to Charlie Sector which includes patrol of the property located at 7725 Lee Highway.

Once open, the new permanent supportive housing complex will be staffed 24/7 with security onsite, as well as include security cameras linked to CPD’s real-time intelligence center.

• What will happen to the stretch of property behind the Airport Inn that the City also owns?

The City has no plans to develop the 3.16-acre tract of land behind the Airport Inn, which was automatically conveyed to the City and Hamilton County in 2020 as a result of the property owner’s failure to pay taxes. The property is a floodway, and would serve no useful purpose for development. The City is considering working with the County to create a conservation easement to preserve the endangered species that live there.

Process for the Airport Inn Conversion

• When did the City buy the Airport Inn and for how much money?

The City purchased the Airport Inn in October 2021 for $2.785 million. The city originally offered $2 million for the property, which was rejected. The city accepted a counter-offer for $2.785 million.

With over 70 rooms available for conversion into high-efficiency single occupancy apartments, the cost equates to $40,000 per unit, which is significantly lower than the market rate of new construction, which averages nearly $200,000 per unit in Tennessee.

• Who will manage the renovation?

If City Council votes to approve the rezoning of the property, the City will issue a Request for Proposals outlining the scope of work for the renovation. The Request for Proposals will include requirements that are informed by national best practices, as well as include stipulations from the city’s “contract with the community” to ensure that the community’s needs are recognized. City officials will review all submitted applications and will make a selection based on pre-established scoring criteria.

• How will the City ensure the community is engaged throughout the process to address ongoing issues or concerns?

The City will form a Community Advisory Committee, to include leadership from local churches, including Silverdale Baptist Church, neighborhood residents, and representatives from Silverdale Baptist Academy and other local schools.

The advisory committee will meet regularly with the City and the organization selected to manage and staff the facility to discuss and address any issues or concerns that arise as the project progresses.

The New Permanent Supportive Housing Complex

• What transportation options will be available to the residents?

The onsite support staff will assist residents in using CARTA’s shared ride service, CARTA GO, to get to the grocery store or to any needed supportive services appointments offsite.

The City is also exploring the inclusion of 2 commuter vans in its request for proposals for staffing and management of the facility, which would allow staff to schedule planned group trips to the grocery store and other safe outings for the residents.

• Will there be 24/7 security onsite?

Yes. The City will ensure that the organization selected to manage and staff the facility provides 24/7 security onsite.

The facility will also include security cameras that feed directly into the Chattanooga Police Department’s real-time intelligence center.

• How will residents be screened for eligibility?

The organization selected to manage and staff the facility will screen potential residents offsite to determine if they are eligible to lease a unit in the complex. The City is committed to ensuring that no one with a serious violent felony conviction, drug manufacturing charge, or on the sexual offender registry will be eligible for a lease.

• What types of measures are in place to ensure the accountability of residents once they move in?

Every resident will have to sign a lease agreement that holds them accountable under certain stipulations, just like any other lease agreement with a property owner. Residents may not share their unit with another individual, may not have more than one guest in their room at a time, and must follow noise, waste, and smoking regulations.

As with any lease, if a resident breaks the terms of the lease, they will be held accountable to the lease terms, up to and including termination of the lease. Criminal behavior will be referred to law enforcement for prosecution, in addition to termination of the lease. In addition, CPD will be constantly monitoring the site through its real-time intelligence center.

• Who will run and manage the facility?

If the City Council votes to approve the rezoning of the property, the City will issue a Request for Proposals for a service provider to manage and staff the facility. City officials will review all submitted applications and will make a selection based on pre-established scoring criteria.