Developer presents plan to convert Ringgold Road motel to 80 apartments and retail; council approves first reading

Developer Justin Cox presented a redevelopment plan for 6510 Ringgold Road during the May 20 East Ridge council meeting, asking the council to rezone the motel property from C‑1 (Tourist Commercial) to C‑4 (Planned Commerce Center) to permit a mixed‑use redevelop­ment: retail along Ringgold Road with the rear buildings converted to roughly 80 apartment units.

Project description and developer pitch

Cox described a multi‑year effort to redevelop the site and said the developer group has invested substantially in the property. The plan presented would demolish the front motel building facing Ringo/Ringgold Road to make room for a ~10,000‑square‑foot retail strip with five commercial suites, while converting the two rear motel buildings into approximately 80 rental units consisting of studios and one‑bedroom apartments. Cox said proposed rents would target affordable levels (presented range $9.50–$12.50 per square foot equivalent in presentation) and that utilities would be included in some units. He said an LOI from a national retail tenant was in hand for the front parcel.

Planning context and conditions

Planning staff recommended approval with conditions outlined in the council packet. During the council’s tentative agenda discussion and at the hearing, Councilmember Ezell asked that condition 18 be amended to require six‑month minimum leases; council agreed and the revised condition was noted for the record. Councilmembers also discussed phasing for demolition and renovation: one building could remain in motel use while the other is renovated, and staff summarized an 18‑month completion expectation tied to the project timeline. Councilmembers raised ADA parking questions and asked staff to ensure plans meet applicable accessibility requirements.

Financial and grant context

Cox and staff noted this redevelopment is intended to leverage Border Region funding; staff said that Border Region grant conditions require the commercial component to be complete and operating by June 30, 2027, to qualify. Cox said conversion would add housing supply and create tax revenue.

Council action

On first reading the council voted to approve Ordinance 12‑21 (rezoning to C‑4) with the amended six‑month lease condition. The motion was made by Councilmember Ezell and seconded by Councilmember Witt and passed on roll call.

Next steps

The ordinance will return for a second reading; staff will ensure final site and building plans address the ADA parking count and phasing conditions and will track compliance with the Border Region grant timeline and the added lease‑term condition.