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New Plans For Bijou Building

175 views · Published 5 October 2012 · 2:21 · Indexed 4 November 2026
Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics
by Karen Zatkulak  There's a big announcement coming in Chattanooga, involving a business inside the Bijou building.  Wednesday, we learned it will be a large rock climbing gym, available to tourists and residents..   The River City Company is officially announcing the project on Thursday.  But we learned some details Tuesday from another rock climbing gym.  They say while it may be good for the city, it could be an unfair advantage that will hurt their bottom line.There will soon be a new reason for tourists to travel to downtown Chattanooga, located inside the old Bijou building on Broad Street -- a rock climbing gym.Darlene Ray works downtown and says it's exciting news.  "I think it will be very good for Chattanooga, anything that's going on downtown, brings in business will be good for Chattanooga."Those visiting the area, and rock climbers living and working in the city, are excited about the new company.  Joel Cooper says, "I think it's awesome, I think it's great we have a huge climbing community here in Chattanooga, so I think it's something this area really needs."But some are concerned about the competition moving in.  Urban Rocks, is located a few miles away, off Amnicola Highway.  "It was pretty heartbreaking, truthfully."Becky Robran opened the gym in 2009, after pouring her and her partners' life savings into the business -- about a million dollars.  She says competition is one thing, but a fair playing field is another.  "We just are afraid that on top of straining the climbing gym market, it's also setting up an unfair advantage for the new gym."That's because the River City Company is supporting the new facility.  It's a non-profit, with strong ties to local government, and a track record of successful projects, and powerful partnerships.  "We believe that will make a huge difference just in the promotion it will receive."On the phone Tuesday, River City's president said while they do stand behind the new company, they did not give that business any incentives, or use any taxpayer dollars in the project.  They tell us they're leasing the building for market rate, and hope the new gym will only grow the climbing community in our area.River City went on to say that the Bijou has been on the market for three years, and they would have been open to discussions with other local business owners.  They said they just wanted the right place to move in, and help grow the downtown.
New Plans For Bijou Building

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