Todd Morgan, executive director of Preserve Chattanooga, recently expressed concerns about the demolition of the historic car barn building, one of downtown Chattanooga’s oldest structures, dating back to 1886. Drury Hotels announced its plans to construct an eight-story, 200-room hotel at the site, with demolition already underway. While the car barn has historical significance, its national registration does not prevent private owners from demolishing it, leading to Morgan’s calls for community engagement and preservation. Despite Preserve Chattanooga’s request to save the façade, Drury Development was unresponsive.
Morgan urged for more investment in historic preservation in the city, highlighting the loss of architectural heritage and the stories tied to these buildings. He proposed a “demolition by neglect” ordinance to protect historic sites from deterioration. Drury’s hotel design does not incorporate the car barn’s façade, which Morgan laments, suggesting that the company could have crafted a more historically reflective design. He criticized the project for adopting a generic look rather than enhancing downtown’s architectural character. The hotel’s completion date has yet to be announced.
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