Mayor Ron Littlefield Announces Plans to Buy Farmer’s Market Properties to Help Homeless

3/14/2006

Monday at the Planning Commission Meeting Mayor Ron Littlefield announced plans to buy the farmer’s market properties across from the Community Kitchen at 702 East 11th Street and 740 East. 12th Street. 

Mayor Littlefield said this important city acquisition will not only help the homeless but the Community Kitchen, The MLK Community and the City of Chattanooga. “Some things Government can and will do to help the less fortunate of our city.  It is time for us to take an active roll in alleviating poverty in our own city,” said Mayor Littlefield.

 “Because of its location directly across from the Community Kitchen, the City of Chattanooga will be able to partner with and expand programs already in the area. It is my hope this property will become a safe place for the homeless, specifically families and the elderly, where they can get the services they need to become productive citizens again,” said Mayor Ron Littlefield.

More than 70 percent of homeless people are children.  Presently the Community Kitchen has two family rooms where parents and their children can be sheltered together during the day.  The expansion of the Community Kitchen across the street to the Farmer’s Market will help more homeless families and will also expand respite care to those recuperating from a hospital stay or day surgery.

The Farmer’s Market opened in the mid 1940’s giving farmers the chance to sell their produce directly to the public.  This once thriving retail center in the heart of the MLK Community fell into disuse during the 1970’s with the advent of greater produce offerings in grocery stores.  The nine acre property has continued to decline and now has only 4 active tenants including a restaurant, offices, storage and distribution.

Rick and Randy Thompson presently own the property appraised at $800,000. Former owners include Richard Crotteau, trustee under agreement with John T. Lupton.

Mayor Littlefield said, “Back when I was on the council it became obvious the Community Kitchen needed room to expand to an area that would not flood and then during the campaign we had homeless people camped out in the Hughes building.   We have some gaps in our safety net for homeless.  We don’t have adequate facilities for children; we don’t have respite care for people who have been hospitalized.  So hopefully this will give us room to take care of those people.”

Mayor Littlefield will go before the Chattanooga City Council on Tuesday.