WHAT IS ENERGIZE EAST RIDGE?
 A public conversation about energizing East Ridge so that we can create the best possible future for our citizens, their children, and their children’s children. Through an inclusive visioning process, we will build upon the work done in the Dare to Dream meetings (2002) by prioritizing our commitments and identifying just what we need to do to get them accomplished.
  

     
 

Five Short-Term Strategic Goals
Thank you for attending all of the meetings for Energize East Ridge. Below are several documents that were presented to the East Ridge City Council. These are the top priorities given by the citizens of East Ridge at the three public meetings.

HOMES, NEIGHBORHOODS AND CODES ENFORCEMENT
During our visioning sessions, our citizens expressed strong interest in becoming involved in the beautification of our neighborhoods, but they wanted their neighbors to do the same. Furthermore, they want to be helpful in reporting code violations, but they were uncertain about how to do that. Therefore, we strongly recommend the Council do the following: Codes enforcement is already being looked at and updated by the city. We recommend some type of marketing campaign to let the citizens know what our codes are, how to report codes violations (anonymously), have a central number they could call and to see someone from the city following up on these requests.

Exit One :
During the visioning sessions, the participants expressed strong opinions about Exit One as the entrance to our city. We intend to identify one or two key business owners operating in the Exit One district and to enlist their support in getting other business owners to the table to begin a discussion about the best ways to improve the district and maintain it over time.

Ringgold Road :
The visioning participants want to us upgrade and maintain our main commercial artery: Ringgold Road. We recommend working with the owners of Splash Valley to incorporate streetscape improvements and limit curb cuts along Ringgold Road in front of the water park as it is being developed. We will use those improvements to set a new standard for public space, which we recommend be implemented in phases in the coming years.

Young Families and Professionals :
Part of the Energize East Ridge vision revolves making the community attractive to new homebuyers, including young professionals and young families. As a high-profile demonstration of that commitment, we recommend the creation of one or two dog parks. We also suggest that the city look into creating a first class child development center. Both of these investments will convey East Ridge’s commitment to attracting and retaining families to our community.

See Channel 3’s coverage of the kickoff at: http://wrcb.com/news/index.cfm?sid=2177

Read WDEF’s story (no video) at: http://wdef.com/news/residents_want_to_energize_east_ridge/01/2008

Read the chattanoogan.com coverage at: http://chattanoogan.com/articles/article_120592.asp