The long-vacant John Ross Building at Fourth and Market downtown is getting a new use.

Joseph Palmer, who bought the four-story building last March for $3.2 million, has submitted plans for office use and to set up a film studio on the first floor.

Trucks would be moved in and out of the space and used as props for filming, it was stated.

Part of his request also to the Form Based Code Committee is for "vehicle stacking."

Recent marketing of the building said, "Former multi-floor car dealership in the heart of Downtown Chattanooga. Opportunities for mixed-use include retail, restaurant, apartments, hospitality, office or storage. The rooftop has great potential for a bar or other open-air business.

"The building is approved to add an additional four floors for a total of eight or use the roof as a fifth floor. Three sides of the building can have the brick removed and floor to ceiling windows added. Currently, the building is a mostly empty shell and ready for a tenant to build to their needs.

"The first floor has a large roll-up door with a loading dock located inside the building. Ability to have the main entrance on the Market or Broad Street sides of the building. A drive up ramp to the second floor (for parking) can easily be added back to the loading dock area."

The building dates to the 1920s and was once part of Newton Chevrolet.

Owners of Chattanooga Whiskey at one time planned to use the building for its operation, but wound up on Riverfront Parkway.