TN Aquarium (1992)

The Tennessee Aquarium opened in May 1992 as the world's largest freshwater aquarium, built to inspire wonder, appreciation and protection of water and all life that it sustains. The 12-story high, 130,000 sf institution holds 400,000 gallons of water and more than 7,000 animals representing 35- species of fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians from North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

A source of community pride, the Aquarium has served as a beacon for Chattanooga's downtown and riverfront renaissance. It has far surpassed even the most optimistic projections as an attraction. Over 18 million visitors visited the Tennessee Aquarium in 18 years.

Tennessee Aquarium Website

Implementation of the Ross’s Landing area (1992)

This unique 4-acre plaza serves as the setting for the $45 million Tennessee Aquarium, linking it to the surrounding development, the Tennessee River, and a network of riverside parks and trails. Ross's Landing Plaza includes a timeline of local history containing numerous artifacts and exhibits relating to Chattanooga's rich cultural, historical and geographical significance. Ross's Landing Plaza was opened simultaneously with the Tennessee Aquarium on May 1, 1992.

The plaza design team was mandated to hire both a local and national artists to ensure that public art was a major component of the plaza design. Public art incorporated into the plaza design helps tell the story of the community's evolution with artifacts and texts depicting the Trail of Tears, Civil War, our railroad heritage, the world's first Coca-Cola bottling operation, symbols from the Cherokee alphabet, and legendary blues artist Bessie Smith, who grew up near the park. In rejoining Chattanooga to the Tennessee RIver, Ross's Landing Plaza has become the front porch of the city.

Riverset Apartments (1994)

Completed in 1994, the Riverset Apartments represented the first multi-family housing development in the heart of downtown Chattanooga in over 20 years. The complex includes covered parking, steeply pitched metal roofs and a masonry exterior. The one and two bedroom units offer riverfront balconies and wood-burning fireplaces.

This complex was 100% occupied within eight months and helped prove the market existed for downtown housing. This project helped launch a trend toward a wide variety of rental and owner-occupied housing in the downtown area.

Creative Discovery Museum (1995)

The 42,000 square foot Creative Discovery Museum, located two blocks from the TN Aquarium, is a place where children learn about their world through hands-on creativity and individual achievement. Real-life artists, musicians, inventors and scientists guide visitors through the interactive exhibits and answer questions. The museum opened in 1995.

More than 210,000 visitors experienced the Creative Discovery Museum last year, drawing its primary attendance from a 150-mile radius of Chattanooga. The museum is among the tops in attendance for children's museums nationwide and was recently ranked 13th among more than 200 children's museums evaluated nationwide.

Creative Discovery Museum Website

IMAX 3D Theater (1996)

Owned and operated by the Tennessee Aquarium, the 63000 sf, 400-seat IMAX 3D Theater opened in 1996. Located at 2nd and Chestnut Streets, it features a six-story high screen and state-of-the-art digital surround sound.

Because of its technologically advanced 3D cameras, rolling-loop projector, special polarized glasses and large fill format- at 10 times the size of conventional 33mm movie film- viewers don't just watch in an IMAX 3D movie; they live it. A variety of films are shown on the hour daily. The Tennessee Aquarium and the IMAX 3D Theater have played major rolls in the city's rebirth and the transformation of the downtown riverfront.

IMAX Website

Bijou Theater (1997)

Movie theaters returned to downtown Chattanooga in 1997 with the opening of Carmike's Bijou Theaters located on the lower floor of CARTA's Shuttle Park North parking garage. The Bijou was highly successful with its seven screens and 1,100 seats

The Bijou was a venue for the Arts and Education Council's twice yearly Independent Film Series showcasing twenty-four diverse independent films that would otherwise not be available at Chattanooga theaters. The Bijou played a major role in making downtown a popular place after the work hours. This was Carmike's first investment in new downtown movie theaters in 20 years. The Bijou closed in 2009 when Carmike opened the new state of the art Majestic 12 Theater.

Battle Academy and Brown Academy (2001)

Battle Academy and Brown Academy are pre-K through fifth grade magnet schools located in downtown Chattanooga. Battle Academy is located in the Southside area of downtown, Brown in the University/MLK area.

Both were founded as a result of unprecedented public/private partnerships between the Hamilton County School Board, local government, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, local foundations and philanthropists. Recognizing the economic impact of neighborhood schools, these groups worked together to create an innovative plan to meet the needs of the community.

The schools have aided in downtown’s revitalization by providing state of the art and effective learning communities for children who live downtown (zoned students) as well as for children of downtown working parents (magnet students).

Battle Academy Website

Brown Academy Website

The 21st Century Waterfront (2005)

The 21st Century Waterfront Plan completes Chattanooga’s return to the river, which began 20 years ago with the Tennessee Aquarium, RiverPark, Walnut Street Bridge and Coolidge Park. A sweeping, multi-million dollar vision, The 21st Century Waterfront Plan comprises 129 acres on both sides of the river stretching from the Veteran’s Bridge on the east to Moccasin Bend and M.L. King Boulevard on the west.

The completed portion of the current plan includes the First Street Steps, Ross’s Landing Park, and Manufacturers’ East. Three other projects – Manufacturers West, Cameron Harbor and the Moccasin Bend Gateway will develop over a longer period. The purpose of all of these projects is to help connect all downtown redevelopment entities together into a seamless network of attractions, commerce, housing and entertainment.