As of the last few years, new and exciting projects have been taking place in Collegedale.

With Collegedale’s growing population, throughout the next three years the city commission has to take steps of progression to meet the needs of the people.

Minor projects for the city include an Italian restaurant that will begin to be built behind Steve Ray’s Midnite Oil Service and Tire Direct off of Lee Highway.

Plans for a new Aldi on Ooltewah-Ringgold Road by the old Ooltewah Elementary School were submitted on September 14, 2015, and the building process should start in the next six months.\

The major project the city commission has been focusing on is a $12-15 million Collegedale Commons to be constructed behind City Hall.

The Collegedale Commons will include a stage for performing arts, concert series, movies in the park, and a farmer’s market at which small businesses can advertise.

A banquet hall with the capacity of about 500 to 800 people can be used for banquets, weddings, or corporate meetings.

The commissioners hope that the Collegedale Commons will give Collegedale a special small-town feel because there is nothing like it in any of the surrounding counties.

More names will be revealed in the next six months, but there are hopes for a Chipotle, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Panera in Collegedale.

Several businesses have already applied for permits on Old Lee Highway.

In the next 2-3 years, Collegedale will definitely see more restaurants and businesses coming in.

Commissioner Ethan White envisions Apison Pike as the next Gunbarrel Road and strongly believes that, “as long as economy holds strong, things will keep moving as planned.”