UrbanStory Ventures and a group of entertainment and technology partners presented to the Hamilton County Commission on Jan. 7 a plan to lease the downtown county jail and convert it into “Jailhouse Studios,” a privately funded complex for film and music production, data storage and education.

At a presentation that drew sustained interest from commissioners, speaker Jimmy Kessler and colleagues outlined a multi-floor redevelopment that would include LED-volume film stages, music production spaces, a restored Bijou Theater, a 35-foot cinematic stage, production offices and a sixth-floor residential component for visiting artists. Kessler said the project would emphasize workforce development and student training, and he listed several industry partners and creative leaders who have participated in writer camps and pilot projects in Chattanooga.

The presenters said the project is privately financed and asserted it would not require county tax dollars for the renovation; they asked the commission to allow them to negotiate a lease. Commissioners asked multiple follow-up questions about lease length, county occupancy and timelines. County officials were told the team had a draft lease under negotiation and that lease terms being discussed included 25‑ to 50‑year performance-based options.

The presenters also announced a data-storage partnership they described as “quantum-ready” with Oracle and STEM and said EPB (the local utility) had been involved in technical discussions. They described the planned data facilities as compact (presenters called them “10,000‑square‑foot boxes”), with mitigation measures to limit environmental and power impacts compared with typical sprawling cloud warehouses. Presenters said the data facilities would be used by studios and other customers and argued the combination of film, music and secure storage would attract businesses and jobs.

Commissioners pressed for specifics. Commissioner Beck asked about the construction timeline; presenters replied the buildout could be completed in roughly 18 months with certain deliverables on 120‑day schedules after approvals. Commissioners asked whether the county would use office space in the building; presenters said 10,000–15,000 square feet could be accommodated and that those arrangements were part of lease negotiations. Commissioners also requested more detailed materials, the draft lease, and meetings with technical partners (including Oracle and EPB) before any formal vote.

Mayor and county staff described prior efforts to solicit redevelopment ideas for the jail and said they found the building difficult to redevelop. The mayor told commissioners he supported exploring this proposal because it aligns with downtown activation goals, but he also noted the structure’s redevelopment challenges. No formal lease or expenditure was approved at the Jan. 7 meeting; the presentation concluded with a request to proceed with lease negotiations and further briefings to the commission.

What happens next: presenters said representatives from Oracle and other partners would meet with county officials the same evening and the team agreed to provide the commission with the draft lease and more technical detail. Commissioners signaled general enthusiasm but requested follow-up briefings and technical Q&A before any vote.