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Residents report a highway crash, housing shortages and accessibility barriers during public comment
Summary
Public commenters told council about a dangerous highway ramp collision, a supportive‑housing operator struggling to house more residents, and pedestrian accessibility problems on UTC campus and East MLK; council staff offered follow‑up contacts and next steps.
Multiple members of the public addressed the council during the Feb. 24 public‑comment period with safety, housing and accessibility concerns.
Randy Newell described a crash near an interchange (I‑58/153) in which a tow truck struck his van while he and his handicapped wife were attempting to enter a ramp. "There was, we got run over by a tow truck ... it hit us hard enough to warp our front end," Newell said, calling the site "an unsafe place" and asking for a warning light or other safety device.
Melanie Norwood, owner of Amla Safe Haven supportive housing, said her operation currently houses 42 residents but had to turn away more than 40 people in the past two weeks because of funding and housing capacity constraints. The chair directed Norwood to speak with Chief of Staff Kevin Roy after the meeting to pursue potential connections.
Olivia Batson, a mobility‑scooter user and UTC student, raised concerns about broken and missing curb cuts on UTC's South Campus and sidewalks on East MLK that force mobility‑aid users into the street. Councilman Harvey invited Batson to meet after the meeting to provide input on accessibility policy work he is pursuing.
Josh Bridal of Greater Chattanooga Realtors announced a community scholarship fund with applications due March 1 and said the program has provided nearly $53,000 to local students since 2022. Shirley Moon introduced herself as a longtime District 9 resident and said she would submit a letter on neighborhood issues.
Council members acknowledged the comments and offered staff follow‑ups; no formal council actions were taken during public comment.
