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Clean-Up and Gutting Planned For Barge

167 views · Published 26 June 2012 · 2:10 · Indexed 30 October 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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by John MadewellA months-long sunken business has a breath of new life.Allen Casey's two-tiered barge and planned restaurant sank into the Tennessee River last fall, but rose up over the weekend.Project manager Brock Sparks knows the North Shore building had grown into a lost cause in the eyes of many. "There were a lot of doubters, honestly I'm not going to lie, there was a point in time where I kind of doubted it myself," Sparks said.On the last day of May, three large pumps were at work trying to remove the water from the barge. At that time, TVA closed the spill gates upriver to lower it downriver.Over the weekend that same process happened. Sparks said TVA's assistance was key. Now, he and Casey look forward to September. "The next step is to gut this thing out and make it as beautiful as possible for Chattanooga. We're residents here, we know it was an eyesore."Gutting out includes removing everything except some of the docks, steel inside the building and the barges themselves.Across the river, Sally Vogelmeier owns the Cold Stone Creamery. It sits directly across from the barge. Vogelmeier's relieved to see it up and floating. "I definitely like it. I mean it's, any more attractions that can come downtown, it's better for everybody."But the Army Corps of Engineers says owner Allen Casey still has steps to take. Spokesman Lee Roberts said, "Our regulatory division has not received any official notification of compliance from the barge owner, so it's premature to speculate at this point that compliance of the permit has been achieved."Sparks said locals and tourists will see a different look in coming weeks. "Get in here and move all the debris on the docks, take down the awning, there's graffiti on the windows, clean that up. Just make it look as presentable as possible."Sparks said Casey has a ,000,000 budget. The original plans haven't changed: a steakhouse on the top floor and a café down below. "Now that this thing is raised, there's a lot more fire underneath us, you know. Kind of boosted our morale from what we've been looking at previously."Sparks said during September's gutting process he will obtain a dumpster barge for removal. Although he wouldn't give a timeline for opening, he's optimistically eyeing next Riverbend as a possibility.

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