CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WRBL) — Columbus political, business and civic leaders are in Chattanooga this week for the Chamber of Commerce Intercity visit.
On Wednesday, they toured a minor league baseball stadium and a mixed-use development currently under construction on a former foundry site just outside downtown Chattanooga.
WRBL News 3's Chuck Williams joined the tour.
Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson told WRBL News 3 that the Columbus project is currently under review by the Development Authority, which is studying what is needed to make it work.
The next step would be issuing requests for proposals to gauge developer interest. If all goes well, Henderson hopes to break ground in early 2027.
"Baseball simply provides a reason for tens, if not hundreds of thousands of people, to come to a site like this one. And our job as the master developer is to capture their imagination while they are here and make them want to stay," said Jim Irwin, president of New City.
Chattanooga and Columbus share similar development goals. Columbus invested $50 million in public funds last year to transform Golden Park into Synovus Park, which now hosts the Atlanta Braves' Double-A team.
"When Synovus Park came to fruition and I saw those seats fill and the kids playing, it was worth it," said Henderson.
Henderson, in his final year in office, is now working to attract $350 million or more in private investment to develop the parking area outside Synovus Park—mirroring Chattanooga's approach.
Councilor Charmaine Crabb, who voted against the baseball project last year in a 6-4 council vote, is participating in the intercity visit to better understand the potential of such developments.
"Everybody knows I was not supportive of it. It wasn't that I wasn't supportive of the potential. So, I need to understand that potential. And that's what I am doing here. I am here with an open mind. And I am here to gather information," Crabb said.
Pete Lavine, general manager of the Columbus Clingstones, also attended the tour. He said the city is eager to see development beyond the ballpark.
"We are looking forward to it. I think we took a giant step with the new stadium and the success and entertainment it brought. So now it's time to look ahead to bigger and better things in 2026 and beyond," Lavine said.
Henderson envisions hotels, apartments and restaurants as part of an entertainment complex adjacent to Synovus Park.
Irwin said communities must ensure that ballparks serve as more than just sports venues.
"In every fathomable way, they need to work hard to make sure it is about more than baseball. It becomes a place even when there aren't events or games going on—a place people like hanging out, a place they want to spend time," Irwin said.
The stadium phase of Chattanooga's project costs about $115 million. Columbus officials hope to invest roughly $400 million in their development, while Chattanooga's Foundry project could approach $1 billion.
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