A local group, Preserve Chattanooga, is advocating for the preservation of three historic buildings at risk of demolition by 2025: Engel Stadium, the Medical Arts Building, and the former Sports Barn Building. All three are on the National Register of Historic Places but face significant threats.
Engel Stadium: Built in 1930, this stadium was home to the Chattanooga Lookouts until 1999. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) plans to demolish it for a new women’s sports facility.
Medical Arts Building: Opened in 1929 and owned by First Presbyterian Church since the 1970s, this building is in poor condition and set for demolition despite preservation efforts from local groups.
Sports Barn Building: Originally built in 1886, the structure has been in disrepair and is now being demolished for a new hotel after Drury Hotels purchased the site.
Preserve Chattanooga has been dedicated to protecting the city’s architectural heritage since 1975 and is currently working on a preservation plan funded by the Lyndhurst Foundation and the Tennessee Historical Commission to prevent further losses. Meanwhile, the Chattanooga Bank Building is undergoing renovation into a new hotel, highlighting successful preservation efforts.
