UPDATE: The owners of Northgate Mall say it desperately needs upgrades to avoid further decline.
Chattanooga's Industrial Development Board gave initial approval on Monday to a project that would help revitalize the area.
The $15 million project would upgrade the more than 50-year-old mall's sewer system. The plan is for the city and county to loan the mall $15 million, which would eventually be paid back with mall revenue.
A presentation prepared by the City of Chattanooga explained that the property's value has tanked by nearly half in the past decade.
In 2017, the appraised value of the mall was $50,000,000.
In 2024, the appraised value of the mall was $28,000,000.
Now, the city is asking for a public partnership to save it.
"Chattanooga has an opportunity to avoid a negative