cityscapes Chattanooga Corridors Part Two: Street, Place & Network
Chattanooga Design Studio
2018 Spring & Summer Interns
Board of Directors 2018
850 Market Street, Ste 206 2nd Floor Miller Plaza Chattanooga, TN 37402 chattanoogastudio.com
Emanuel Huber-Feely Sarah Gibson Tru Taylor Yiren Zhu
Ethan Collier Macon Toledano Kelly Fitzgerald Jeff Pfitzer Charita Allen Lisa Pinckney
Eric Myers Lindsey Willke Sally Morrow Teresa Cole
Stacy Richardson Virginia Anne Sharber Rob Taylor Dakasha Winton Kim White
street place network Cityscapes
our connecting threads
the heart of our city
strengthening our corridors
Downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee on Market Street looking north from 9th Street (Current day M.L. King Jr. Blvd) Image Source: Chattanooga Public Library
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our connecting threads
The Importance of Chattanooga’s Corridors The story of Chattanooga’s corridors past, present and future are inextricably linked. Building on Cityscapes Part One, Part Two considers our network of corridors as the connective backbone of the City and how they may serve as both links and distinct places - building and strengthening urban neighborhoods and their connective tissue - the public realm.
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During a time when industrial growth and the downtown built environment was prioritized, John Nolen highlights Chattanooga’s natural environment in his map of a city-wide park system (1911). This vision illuminates the area’s potential network of green spaces and contextually frames the geographic features that define our city’s landscape and current land use patterns. (Image Source: General Features of a Park System for Chattanooga, John Nolen)
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o u r c onnectin g threads
marks on the land A History to Build On
geography & place
(1)
Chattanooga’s identity is built on the unique qualities of its natural features - hills, mountains and the life of the River running through its center.
a rich fabric A finer grain fabric once filled downtown blocks contributing to a diverse neighborhood with residential and commercial life activating the streets.
(2)
industry & infrastructure Positive growth in Chattanooga, investment in rail creates new man-made marks on the land - still visible today.
(3)
(4)
a way forward Chattanooga’s renaissance began with investments along the waterfront and in the City Center at Miller Park - future investment should build on these beloved places for people.
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From River to Ridge, distinct marks on the land have shaped the City. The Interstate, a means of access into and out of the City erased much of the historic fabric in downtown Chattanooga and remains a barrier in need of determined efforts to reknit Downtown, the Urban Core and Urban Residential areas of the City. Major corridors linking EastWest and North-South provide a framework for understanding a placemaking strategy across multiple scales. (Image Source: Google Earth)
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o u r c onnectin g threads
recreation
connective threads From River to Ridge
Recreational use of our corridors provides a framework to consider placemaking efforts.
Patterns across our city from the scale of the region, to neighborhoods and their relationship to the Downtown Core inform a lens to consider the place and link characteristics of our East-West and North-South connecting threads.
Source: www.strava.com
activity density Considering employment and residential density provides a hierarchy to consider our corridors.
downtown urban core urban residential
Source: CARTA, Transit Choices Report, 2017 cit ysc apes
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link & place A Connected Network A starting point for understanding the City is its history. Corridors, parks and plazas make up the connective tissue of the City- the public realm. The fabric of buildings and blocks framing these spaces contributes to the scale and quality of public space. A closer look at downtown Chattanooga’s history reveals a pattern of buildings that has since been replaced by space dedicated to cars. Continuous building facades at a human scale once supported lively streets as seen in the historic photo from the early 1900s.
“In a Society becoming steadily more privatized with private homes, cars, computers, offices and shopping centers, the public component of our lives is disappearing. It is more and more important to make the cities inviting, so we can meet our fellow citizens face to face and experience directly through our senses. Public life in good quality public spaces is an important part of a democratic life and a full life.� Jan Gehl Top: View from the Chattanooga Brewery, 1895 (1) Bottom: Market Street, 1912 (2) 8
o u r c onnectin g threads
historic fabric
car parks
people parks
The degradation of the fine scale fabric overtime has created voids in the fabric as seen in this overlay of building footprints today (dark) over a historic map (light).
In their place, surface parking lots further support a car centric environment.
A distinct network of parks and public places linked by key corridors support the imageability of the City and prioritizes people scaled places.
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link & place A Connected Network The success of downtown relies upon its surrounding neighborhoods, and the neighborhoods benefit greatly from a vital downtown. Chattanooga’s corridors thread through the neighborhoods and downtown, linking each other and greater Chattanooga, but their function as places must not be undervalued. Each corridor should serve as a gathering place unique in character to each neighborhood. The neighborhoods and downtown mutually benefit from an active and multimodal connection that infuses the unique qualities and sense of place of each district.
Riverfront City Center District Neighborhood District Greenway Connection 10
o u r c onnectin g threads
east-west threads Third Street, McCallie Avenue, MLK Boulevard and Main Street (not shown) are major East-West connecting
Downtown
MLK Boulevard
corridors with each threading through neighborhoods with both historic value and emerging potential.
Erlanger
MLK
UTC
Community
Community
District
McCallie Avenue
3rd Street
north-south threads
Westside
Downtown
MLK
Community
Broad Street
Community
South Main
South Main
Community
Community
Broad Street and Market Street running North-South form the backbone of downtown. Further south Broad and Market connect to the South Main community and the emerging South Broad District (not shown).
Market Street c i t ysc apes ii
c orridor framework
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iver see R
s Tenne
street as place Imageability
r Pa r front
ay kw
Rive
4th
org
ia
Av enu
e
Str eet
Ge
Broad Street
“A distinctive and legible environment not only offers security but also heightens the potential depth and intensity of human experience. Although life is far from impossible in the visual chaos of the modern city, the same daily action could take on new meaning if carried out in a more vivid setting.�
Miller Park District
Kevin Lynch
ML
KB
imageability key
Path
Edge Node District Landmark
Major Element Minor Element Pedestrian Path Slope 12
Riverfront District
Market Street
The Riverfront anchored by Coolidge Park and City Center anchored by Miller Park are distinct and legible places in the downtown. Distilling the image and legible environment into a simplifed diagram is one means to depict the experience of place. Major and minor elements of path, edge, node, district and landmark define a pattern to identify opportunities in the public realm.
o u r c onnectin g threads
river to cit y center
ou
lev ard
riverfront node
The public and private realm are greatly dependent upon each other. Their relationship and interface support each other best when the boundaries are blurred and the spaces overlap. This should happen at many scales, from the section of the street to the plan of the block, to the framework of the city.
“Streets and their sidewalks, the main public places of a city, are its most vital organs.”
city center node
weak path
Jane Jacobs
Public Realm Private Realm Public-Private Interface
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street as place Quality & Quantity in the Public Realm a quantitative assessment
a qualitative assessment
This combined score weights the streetscape inventory identifying places where streets are mostly complete and where there is need of further improvements (Cityscapes Part I).
Downtown is currently split between two main islands of activity and investment— the Miller Park district and the waterfront. Strengthening the public realm along Market and Broad Street will further enhance both the City Center and Riverfront.
strength of public realm Stronger
Weaker 14
o u r c onnectin g threads
scale
intersection and place Anchoring our intersections where two paths cross creates an opportunity to establish distinct yet cohesive places weaving the City together from the Riverfront to the Innovation District. The importance and character of each intersection should be considered relative to its respective path. Between intersections, the streetscape must be infilled with active facades and room for street life. Mid block is an opportunity for crossings and moments of rest in the public realm.
identity
Riverfront
4th St Corridor
City Center
quality
MLK Corridor
Innovation District
Stronger Intersection Weaker Intersection cit ysc apes
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street as place Terminating Vistas The anchors of the City’s corridors create view sheds that add to the strength of each corridor creating a defining terminating moment. Strong architectural features such as the corner of the Dome Building should be considered at these keys moments, while other structures should respect and enhance the view shed.
Brabson Place
Hardwick Hogshead
Memorial Auditorium High St
Dome Building Ge
Hunter Museum
org
Lookout St
ia
Av e
Volunteer Building
Patten Towers
Walnut St
Walnut Street Bridge
MLK Blvd
8th St
7th St
6th St
5th St
4th St
3rd St
Aquarium
1st St
Way
Joel W. Solomon Federal Building Cherry St
Market St
Tennessee Valley Authority
Tennessee Aquarium
10th St
Broad St
11th St
John Ross Bridge
Chestnut St
Pine St
Power Alley
Riverfront Park Marriot Hotel
AT&T Field
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o u r c onnectin g threads
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Tallan Building St Paul's Episcopal Church
Westin Hotel
A historic view of the Dome Building along 8th Street is enhanced by the continuous street wall. The building anchors the corner and responds with its distinct architectural features.
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the heart of our city People and Place
The heart of the city is a natural starting point for understanding corridors shaped for people. It is in our downtown core that we can best experience a street network and building fabric that while it has changed to accommodate motor vehicles over time, the scale and form of buildings and blocks intentionally shape a pedestrian friendly neighborhood. The following pages zoom into our downtown streets and may provide framework to
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strengthening the core The Heart of Our City to the River Market and Broad form the backbone of downtown, acting together as sister streets. The strength of downtown is highly dependent on the experiential strength of these streets from 12th St to 1st St. Currently, there is a divide between the Miller Park district and the Riverfront district, although their centers are only separated by a ten to fifteen minute walk.
experience key Public Realm Parks and Plazas Visible Street Wall Engaging Storefront Prominent Structure Pedestrian Corridor Focal Point
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t h e h e ar t of our cit y
five minute walk radius
five minute walk radius
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strengthening the core Key Moments to Build On engaging storefront
midblock alley
Building edges engage the public realm with storefront glass, signage, awnings, plants, bike racks and art.
Jack’s Alley provides a place for people to visit and walk between Market and Broad which better ties the two streets together.
cross street terminating vista A landmark building serves as a terminating vista at 8th and Market Street.
expanded sidewalk An alternating widened sidewalk on Market
plaza with pedestrian corridor A thoroughfare prioritizing pedestrians. 22
t h e h e ar t of our cit y
Street between MLK and 6th weaves in park space with grand trees and ample seating.
civic corner plaza
sidewalk seating
The Public Library steps back to provide a corner plaza with art, seating, views inside and a cantilever that offers shelter.
Restaurants provide outdoor seating blurring the boundary between public and private while activating the public realm.
courtyard plaza
iconic facade & terminating vista
A small alley frames the lively Aquarium plaza which anchors the end of Broad Street and downtown and connects to Riverfront Park.
An upper level parking garage is masked by an exciting and iconic facade. The Aquarium serves as an iconic vista and plaza at the termination of Broad Street.
setback for park space An institutional building that doesn’t engage the street steps back creating opportunity to provide a quiet mid-block park space. cit ysc apes
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elements of place The Fabric of Our Blocks & Buildings ZONING & USE D-CX-8
3. Storefronts 6. Citizens Savings & Loan
The following pages presents a nine block study area at Market and Broad Streets from 3rd to 6th. These blocks sit roughly on the edge of the 5 minute walk between the Riverfront and Miller Park. This study provides a potential framework to study other corridors in our urban core.
12. Hampton Inn & Suites 33. Vacancy 35. Parking Lot 37. Vacancy 39. Parking Lot D-CX-12
31. Parking Lot D-SH-8
1. Playcore 2. Republic Parking Deck 4. Mocha Lounge
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5. Mayan Kitchen
44 16 A2
14 A1 17
13
3rd St
7. Holiday Inn | Rodizio 8. Moonpie General Store
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9. Harley Davidson
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10. Maple Street Biscuit 18
11
12
10
4th St
19
20
B1 9
22
23
38 25
5th St
15. Sports Barn
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16. Chatt Lifestyle Center 17. Vacancy
35
18. Applebee’s
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19. Henpecked 20. Lupi’s Pizza
27
6th St
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14. AMC Majestic 12
39 37
32
26
6
40
B2
7
13. AMC Majestic Park
21
24
8
11. Ignis Glass | Five Guys
41
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21. Raw Dance Club 22. All Books
5
23. Panera Bread
29
4
24. Taco Mac | Sticky Fingers
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25. Vacancy
3
26. Parking Lot 2
C1
27. Cupcake Kitchen
C2
28. Chattanooga Ducks 29. Family Dollar | Parking
30
30. Miller Building
Market St
Broad St
1
32. Johnson Group 34. Taziki’s 36. Print Cubes 38. Parking Lot
N
40. Sing It or Wing It 41. Chili’s 42. Hair of the Dog Pup 43. Parking Lot 44. Parking Deck
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t h e h e ar t of our cit y
People Space - Walk People Space - Bike Car Space - Park Car Space - Drive
a1
a2
b1
b2
c1
c2 123'
96'
market street
broad street cit ysc apes
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elements of place The Fabric of Our Blocks & Buildings building use
activated facades
A diversity of building uses contributes to a successful urban neighborhood, creating a place where people can live, work and play. In this nine block area there is a lack of residential buildings.
Each street facing facade is given a score based on the presence or absence of the given facade elements contributing the public realm. The ground floor elements and expression of the facade enhance the pedestrian experience. glazing Is there large glazing on the facade to improve transparency of the interior?
Retail Office Hotel Parking Entertainment Residential
considerations
Health
entry Is the entry way covered and inviting? massing variation Is there variation in the massing to captivate pedestrians? signage Does pedestrian scaled signage exist and contribute to the overall character of the storefront? plants | vegetation Are there planters or some form of vegetation present? (flowers, vines, shrubs, etc) decor | details | color Does the building have an established character with color, details, and decor?
facade examples
service windows | sliding doors Are there windows or doors that erase a barrier between the street and interior?
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t h e h e ar t of our cit y
condition
site efficiency
Surveying the condition of a building is important in understanding its longevity and considering redevelopment or renovation. Identifying key opportunities for redevelopment may provide a road map for strategic public space improvements.
According to the form based code, several buildings downtown are not using the full potential of the parcel. The potential of each building under the FBC is compared to the existing building footprint.
renovations Does the exterior show signs of progression towards renovation or is it a stalled renovation?
d-sh-8
categories
damaged fenestrations Are the windows or doors missing panes or separating from the casing?
a street
missing members Are parts of the facade/veneer missing, peeling, falling apart? Is there unintentional exposed structure?
building setbacks A Street : 0' min–5' max B Street : 0' min–10' max building height Max Height : 8 stories Min Height : 3 stories
a street
a street
discoloration Does the exterior show discoloration due to water run off or oxidation? deterioration Are the outdoor elements or wear and tear deteriorating the materials?
form based code downtown core + storefront mixed use + 8 stories max building coverage 100% max
Optimized Good Sufficient Convertible Not Suitable
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a vision framework Link & Place
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riverfront
city center
walnut neighborhood
urban campus
bluff view
innovation district
t h e h e ar t of our cit y
downtown neighborhoods
proposed street typologies
Building on the character of Downtown’s established neighborhood zones in relation to the hierarchy of the street network provides a starting point for building a corridor vision framework.
Typologies relate both to the character and use of each neighborhood zone to create a guide for the cohesive quality of corridors as distinct places in and of themselves. street hierarchy Connecting Corridor Local Corridor Supporting Street Pedestrian Corridor
neighborhoods Riverfront City Center Walnut Neighborhood Urban Campus Bluff View Innovation District
street typology Boulevard Civic Parkway Park Edge Downtown Corridor District Corridor Urban Connector Urban Campus Neighborhood Mixed Use Pedestrian
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strengthening our corridors Building a Vision
A collaborative design process including multi-disciplinary professional teams and community stakeholders is key to celebrating and defining our streets for people first. Successful placemaking for our neighborhoods is rooted in our largest public asset, streets :: plan places first for people while balancing needs for vehicular movement. Each corridor has a unique context :: corridors should reflect the identity of the neighborhoods they define.
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a collective voice
Reflections on our past, embracing change & growth with opportunity for all Chattanoogans. In the summer of 2017, thought leaders in Chattanooga were interviewed about their opinions on the city’s quality of life, including key opportunities for change as the City grows, places the community identifies with (diagrams on left), and reflections on our City’s past that we can learn from. Top row, left to right: Josiah Golson, Jonathan Sussman, James McKissic, Daniela Peterson
Second & Third rows, left to right: Isaac Duncan, Genesis, Elizabeth Williams, Ann Coulter, Kathleen Nolte, Rondell Crier, Moses Freeman, Mary Howard Ade, Ann Yoachim, Christian Patino
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s t r en gthenin g our c orridors
community destinations
civic & cultural destinations
commercial destinations
Places of strong community identity, places for children and families and tourist destinations.
Key assets of strong cultural and community value.
Patterns of commercial use scattered through downtown core and edge neighborhoods.
community children tourists
parks & rec churches theaters schools museums festivals
retail restaurants nightlife cit ysc apes
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a collective voice
Reflections on our past, embracing change & growth with opportunity for all Chattanoogans. “...friendly for everyone, open, permeable, and has active programming.”
“We also need creativity for art’s sake and not just as economic development; it’s about place-making.” “The city needs to be more resourceful to its growing student community.”
“Closed social environments happen from a lack of networking.”
“empowers individuals and transforms communities through the arts.” 34
s t r en gthenin g our c orridors
“Its main purpose is not to promote a dialogue, but to get to know us.”
“The boarded up windows...convey a message to the general public.”
“Create a workforce that is reflective of the community.”
“Hill City was once a mostly black area and today it’s shifted into being a mostly white community.” “I just want to have fun and not worry about race.”
“Downtown should be treated like a neighborhood.”
“It changes the dynamic from cultural to commercial.”
“Schools have become segregated due to the surrounding neighborhoods, housing, patterns & income in the area.” cit ysc apes
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places for people first Creating a Collective Vision Inspiration from across the globe from corridors intentionally shaped for pedestrian use - examples include integrated transit, bike lanes and vehicular traffic. The four examples vary in width from 95 feet to 150 feet - Chattanooga’s Market and Broad Streets are 123 feet and 96 feet respectively.
Define the quality of each street for people first - balancing link vs place, context, history & neighborhood identity.
MAXIMI ZE PEOPLE SPACE
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s t r en gthenin g our c orridors
La Rambla, Barcelona
Passeig de Sant Joan, Barcelona
Cours Mirabeau, France Bahnhofstrasse, ZĂźrich
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s t r en gthenin g our c orridors
http://www.globo-rojo.com/surroundings/barcelona/what-to-visit/la-rambla/
redefining our corridors Places for People First la rambla, barcelona La Rambla is a street in central Barcelona noted as one of the most captivating places of the city. A tree-lined pedestrian mall, it stretches for three quarters of a mile connecting two major public space anchors on each end.
People Space - Walk Car Space - Drive Bus Station
120' cit ysc apes
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s t r en gthenin g our c orridors
http://www.bahnhofstrasse-zuerich.ch/medien/
redefining our corridors Places for People First bahnhofstrafsse, zurich Bahnhofstrasse is Zßrich’s main downtown street, a destination for shopping and entertainment. Bahnhofstrasse is largely car-free with a central rail where pedestrians can freely cross. Paradeplatz, one of the most famous squares in Switzerland, is situated towards the end of the Bahnhofstrasse.
People Space - Walk Public Transport
95' cit ysc apes
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https://frenchmoments.eu/cours-mirabeau-aix-en-provence/
redefining our corridors Places for People First cours mirabeau, aix-en-provence The Cours Mirabeau is a wide thoroughfare in Aix-en-Provence, France. Approximately 105’ wide, the Cours Mirabeau is one of the most popular and lively places in the town. The street has wide sidewalks planted with double rows of trees. The street marks the edge of two distinct neighborhood districts.
People Space - Walk Car Space - Drive
105' cit ysc apes
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http://www.landezine.com/index.php/2012/07/passeig-de-st-joan-boulevard-by-lola-domenech/
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http://www.landezine.com/index.php/2012/07/passeig-de-st-joan-boulevard-by-lola-domenech/
redefining our corridors Places for People First passeig de sant joan, barcelona Passeig de Sant Joan is a major avenue in the Eixample and GrĂ cia districts of Barcelona. This newly remodeled portion of the Passeig gives priority to the pedestrian, reducing the number of traffic lanes while creating a central protected bikeway.
People Space - Walk Car Space - Drive Public Transport People Space - Bike
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image sources
Pages 4-5 (1) http://nooga.com/160829/13-amazinghistorical-photos-of-chattanooga/ (2) Chattanooga Public Library - Paul Hiener Collection (3) http://www.hctgs.org/photos/cameron_hill.jpg (4) Photo by the viewer Page 8 (1) Digital Donation by: John Wilson (2) Chattanooga Public Library Page 17 The source image is in the public domain. Photo by Will H Stokes Page 34 -http://www.southeastdiscovery.com/blog/2012/06/ chattanoogas-riverbend-festival-rockin-on-theriver/ Posted on June 5, 2012 by Cathy Holton -Smog Filled Skyline, Chattanooga History Center -Words In Grey, published by:Russell McGee Jr -http://chattanooga.events/event/ parking-day-chattanooga-2015/ -http://www.chattanoogapresents.com/upcomingevents/2015/3/13/road-to-nightfall -http://nooga.com/175769/trump-resistance-rallyplanned-for-miller-park/ Published by STAFF REPORT -Warehouse Row Breathes New Life in Chattanooga, Post by: Beck Partners -http://usslave.blogspot.com/2013/01/ uprooting-plantation.html -Original UTC Plaque, Author: Dixielnddelight - Own work -Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults -Bessie Smith Cultural Center, SOURCE: “Chattanooga Wins Grant to Present the 2017 Levitt Amp Chattanooga Music Series“
Page 35 -Steeple of First Methodist Church -Clinica Medicos -http://nooga.com/160829/13-amazinghistorical-photos-of-chattanooga -http://www.chattanoogan.com/2015/8/4/305520/ Mocha-Restaurant--Music-Lounge-Closes.aspx -Glass Street - Sheena Benavente , by Cargo Collective -Walnut Street Bridge -People gather on MLK Blvd. on Monday during the Bessie Smith Strut. by Chattanooga Times Free Press -Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise -The Ruth S. and A. William Holmberg Pedestrian Bridge, by shutterstock -”The Souls of Free Folk” Reading and Release Party, by Josiah Golson Pages 36-37 -http://www.globo-rojo.com/surroundings/ barcelona/what-to-visit/la-rambla/ -https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-freestock-photography-la-rambla-barcelona-spainmarch-march-one-symbol-city-located-el-ravalbarri-image33861337, by Dreamstime.com - By Clare Gleeson, From Inspiration Travel Writing Contest -http://www.bahnhofstrasse-zuerich.ch/medien/ -https://frenchmoments.eu/coursmirabeau-aix-en-provence/ - posted to Flickr by Andrea Schaffer, 2011 -http://mikestravelguide.com/aix-en-provence/ -https://www.dreamstime.com/editorial-photocours-mirabeau-aix-en-provence-france-may-streetmeters-long-meters-wide-lot-streets-fontains-mostpopular-image96641746, by Dreamstime.com -http://www.landezine.com/index.php/2012/07/ passeig-de-st-joan-boulevard-by-lola-domenech/
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