Groundbreaking for new state school set for Oct. 3

DAYTON — In a joint workshop session on Monday, members of the Dayton City Council and Rhea County Commission announced the groundbreaking for the new Chattanooga State school on Delaware Avenue is set for Thursday, Oct. 3.

The Rhea County Commission partnered with the Dayton City Council to buy the Abel farm property near the Delaware Avenue walking track for $1.2 million, splitting the cost between the two governing bodies at $600,000 each in 2023.

The county and city worked for several months last year on securing land for the construction of the school, and officials said the state committed to the project once 23 acres were secured for the school, though studies later indicated only 18.5 acres will be needed for the new school.

The state will also shoulder the cost of construction and operation of the school, according to county officials.

The purchase of the farm is part of ongoing efforts to draw students and other visitors to the area, and part of those efforts involve the construction of soccer fields and other recreational projects, also along Delaware Avenue.

On Monday, county and city officials gave an update on the project, and Rhea County Executive Jim Vincent said plans to construct a soccer complex are progressing and are currently waiting on a state environmental study to determine if the area qualifies as a wetland.

Officials said they are also waiting on a review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well.

Vincent said that will the scope of the work is still waiting to approved by the state, he was aware that, in some instances, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has approved the construction of sports fields in wetlands.

In other business on Monday, city and county officials also discussed the proposed construction of a convention center at the Delaware Avenue site.

Vincent said that currently one of the only larger venues available in Rhea County are facilities at Bryan College, and Dayton Vice Mayor Steve Randolph said that once the Dayton City School cafetorium is completed, it could also serve as a venue that could seat up to 750 people.

Vincent said that the county has received nearly $1.6 million in grant funding to go toward the convention center, and the projected cost of such a facility could reach nearly $2 million.

“I think we could make money from (a convention center],” Vincent said.

However, both city and county officials agreed that moving forward an agreement will need to be reached by both parties on the maintenance of any facilities constructed at the Delaware Avenue site.

“We will have to determine how much it will cost to maintain it,” Rhea County Commissioner Nick Welch said, citing HVAC systems, parking lot and lawn care as some aspects that will need to be considered when discussing any future agreement.

Dayton City Attorney Susan Arnold said any agreement would also need to consider a master plan for the site and any costs associated with the site.

Moving forward, Rhea County Commission Chair Jim Reed said that both governing bodies will need to vote in a regularly scheduled meeting on how the property will be maintained and what role the city and county will play in maintaining the property and how to handle financial obligations.