The renaissance of Chattanooga, which spanned the last decades of the 20th century and saw significant investment in the riverfront in the early 2000’s, was punctuated with many landmark projects in the Riverfront District: the Tennessee Riverwalk, AT&T Field, the Tennessee Aquarium, Riverfront Parkway, and the 21st Century Waterfront Park to name a few. These investments have anchored the tourism and hospitality industry, spurred signature annual events, and have become fixtures of the popular image of Chattanooga.

Though Chattanooga has made significant strides over the past 30 years in reinvigorating its riverfront and downtown core, the Riverfront District has also grappled with the challenges of aging infrastructure and amenities, single-mode roadway design, and an imbalance of tourist and visitor activity relative to local use. The Riverfront District also shares, along with the Greater Chattanooga community, the tremendously important civic responsibility to improve social and economic equity.

During the ONE Riverfront planning process, the community voiced a strong desire to develop a comprehensive and visionary plan for Broad Street.