Sports authority approves easement amendment as stadium nears opening
April 10, 2026 | Chattanooga City, Hamilton County, Tennessee
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The Sports Authority voted to approve a first amendment to the declaration of covenants, restrictions and easements (SA 042) that extends a no-build easement to the public right of way and grants limited air rights allowing a developer's building to overhang the left-field concourse by about 2–3 feet.
Bill Payne, city engineer, told the board the amendment reconciles the stadium declaration with the developer’s refined building plans and is intended to preserve the concourse’s usability on game days while allowing the developer to obtain building permits. "This air rights portion will actually allow for [the overhang] to happen and allow for their construction," Payne said, adding that the amendment does not transfer additional liabilities to the sports authority.
A board member moved to approve the resolution and another seconded; the board approved the resolution by voice vote. The chair said the parties had negotiated the language beforehand and that the amendment reflects those agreements.
Payne and Public Works staff also reported construction is substantially complete. Contractor EMJ has earned an early-completion bonus after finishing ahead of schedule; the project has a certificate of occupancy and the team held batting practice in the building. Payne said roughly 30 days of punch-list and contract closeout work remain before final closeout.
On staging and facilities, Payne said all field installations, ribbon boards and scoreboards are installed, five elevators have been commissioned, the team store and ramps are in place, and river-walk and parking work are nearing completion. Under the master parking agreement there are about 2,000 public parking spaces across two main lots and additional dedicated team parking off Pipeway.
The board acknowledged project staff and partners for their work. The meeting record shows the resolution authorizing the chair or vice chair to execute the amendment (SA 042) was moved, seconded and approved by the board; the minutes from the Feb. 12, 2026 meeting were also approved earlier in the session.
Bill Payne, city engineer, told the board the amendment reconciles the stadium declaration with the developer’s refined building plans and is intended to preserve the concourse’s usability on game days while allowing the developer to obtain building permits. "This air rights portion will actually allow for [the overhang] to happen and allow for their construction," Payne said, adding that the amendment does not transfer additional liabilities to the sports authority.
A board member moved to approve the resolution and another seconded; the board approved the resolution by voice vote. The chair said the parties had negotiated the language beforehand and that the amendment reflects those agreements.
Payne and Public Works staff also reported construction is substantially complete. Contractor EMJ has earned an early-completion bonus after finishing ahead of schedule; the project has a certificate of occupancy and the team held batting practice in the building. Payne said roughly 30 days of punch-list and contract closeout work remain before final closeout.
On staging and facilities, Payne said all field installations, ribbon boards and scoreboards are installed, five elevators have been commissioned, the team store and ramps are in place, and river-walk and parking work are nearing completion. Under the master parking agreement there are about 2,000 public parking spaces across two main lots and additional dedicated team parking off Pipeway.
The board acknowledged project staff and partners for their work. The meeting record shows the resolution authorizing the chair or vice chair to execute the amendment (SA 042) was moved, seconded and approved by the board; the minutes from the Feb. 12, 2026 meeting were also approved earlier in the session.
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