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Council hears Kulage Park dock plan and Brainer Levee trail proposal tied to grant applications
Summary
City staff presented designs for an ADA‑accessible modular floating dock at Kulage Park and a 3.2‑mile, 10‑ft chip‑and‑seal trail along the Brainer Levee to retain events and recreation while the Southshore Riverfront undergoes an 18‑month closure. Staff sought council approval to accept grant funding and noted timelines if awards occur.
Monica Kinsey of the Department of Economic Development and design staff from Tennessee Riverline presented plans for Kulage Park blueway access and Brainer Levee greenway improvements during the Parks, Public Works & Wastewater Committee.
The Kulage Park proposal includes a permanent, modular floating dock (75‑ft paddle area) with two ADA kayak launches, sections for rowers and fishing, six boat slips, a 12‑to‑24‑ft widened access ramp, floating treatment wetlands for water quality, and shoreline stabilization. Monica Kinsey said the work aims to accommodate more events and public access during renovations to the Southshore Riverfront, which staff said is scheduled to close for reconstruction in November 2026 for about 18 months. "It is ADA accessible...cohesive mooring for motorized and non‑motorized vessels," Kinsey said.
The Brainer Levee plan describes 3.2 miles of a 10‑ft wide chip‑and‑seal trail, tactical warning strips, wayfinding signage, parking improvements near Ramsey Center, and an estimated project timeline of about 12 months after grant award. Staff estimated the projects would help retain roughly $20 million in event economic activity during the Southshore closure.
Funding and timeline: Staff asked council to approve acceptance of a TDECK/ARISE grant application and related city matching funds. During Q&A Councilman Clark flagged a discrepancy between line items in the staff packet (noting a $100,000 difference appearing as $594,000 vs. $494,000 for the city match). Staff said the correct internal match will be confirmed and corrected in the resolution language before final action. Staff estimated grant award decisions could arrive in late summer or early fall; construction would begin after award and procurement steps.
Why it matters: If funded, the dock and levee projects would expand river access and create a continuous multiuse route for walkers, cyclists and people using mobility devices, and provide a venue for events displaced during the Southshore reconstruction. Council members emphasized the need for clearer advance communication to district representatives and promised more public engagement sessions this month.
Next steps: Staff scheduled two community input sessions (March 25 at the Grimes Outdoor Chattanooga Center and March 26 at the Ramsey Community Center) and will return to council with corrected funding figures and any required ordinance/resolution actions.
