Last Monday morning while at work a good friend messaged me concerning a matter that I had not heard anything about dealing with Coolidge Park and its future. Apparently that night the City Council was to read an ordinance that would allow the mayor to start negotiations with the relocation of the Medal of Honor Museum. This ordinance would enable the city to lease approximately 2 1/2 acres of Coolidge Park to a group in order to construct a 6,800-square-foot, two-story building. The lease will run for 99 years at $1 per year. The current location of the Medal Honor Museum is at Northgate Mall.

When I first heard of this I asked the question, will this be inside of Coolidge Park or just outside? As I investigated further it was discovered that this land is located within the park and will cause us to lose the green space in which is located between the walking bridge and the Chattanooga Theatre.

Coolidge Park is one of the most utilized park in this city; to lose this green space, in which is very limited at best within our city, would be a major shot in the arm to the people and its visitors of Chattanooga.

I am by no means saying that the Medal of Honor Museum does not deserve the respect nor the attention that this would bring to those individuals that fought for this country, but what I am saying I feel that there are other options that need to be looked into rather than removing green space from this city. If you go to the park on any Saturday or Sunday when the weather is nice this park is overflowing with people. If you take 2 ½ acres away this will discourage people from going to the park due to the overcrowding.

Other options in my opinion include: locating to the space in which the Chattanooga History Museum was supposed to go in next to the Aquarium, within the National Cemetery, or down by Fry Center on the Riverwalk next to the Reserve Center that honor the fallen five. There are numerous empty buildings and lots that the city owns in which would help preserve this green space.

This land is public land and the people of this city need a say before we give it away. I hope that the mayor and the City Council would slow this process down in order to obtain all options before removing this green space.

Please take the time and write your council member and or the mayor in order to voice your opinion in this matter.

Thom Smith

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I feel pretty confident that Mr. Coolidge would be rather satisfied with the idea of a Medal of Honor Museum in a park named in his honor.



I also think the space previously allocated for the Chattanooga Museum is an excellent choice. It is important that as many people as possible be able to know the story of these incredible Americans. That space is perfect and will compliment the other family-oriented attractions. Put it there.



Eric Wilson

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The proudest part of my 75 years is the time I served my country in the U.S. military. I only wish every able-bodied young man who reaches the age of 18 could live to look back on his life with the same pride I feel inside each time I hear the National Anthem, or my Air Force theme. Yes, I had friends that didn't return from their service, and the least we can do is focus on honoring all those brave souls that were awarded our nations highest honor, the Medal Of Honor, and in the best way and in the best location we can in our city.

We have many Americans and even some Chattanoogans who don't know that the very first Medal Of Honor was awarded to a lowly private in 1863 for his service in what became known as "The Great Locomotive Chase". It ended where a marble marker stands next to the train tracks on Ooltewah Ringgold Road. You should visit it sometime. Go to the National Cemetery off Holtz Claw Avenue, and there surrounding a stone monument of "The General" locomotive, you will see the headstones of some of private Parrot's other comrades who also received the same high honor.

There is not a more fitting or beautiful place for every citizen of Chattanooga and every visitor to our city to enjoy our own Medal Of Honor Museum than the very ground dedicated to our own recipient of our nation's highest honor, the Charles Coolidge Memorial Park. To relegate it once again to some obscure corner of our city as it now is in Northgate Mall, would only say to America, that we don't revere as we should these men who represent the pride of Chattanooga, and the great state of Tennessee.

Call your city mayor, Andy Burke, and each city councilman and encourage them to step up and vote yes on building this sacred building where we can all show how proud we are of these brave soldiers.

Bill Reesor

Ooltewah