If you look up the definition of “gentrification” in the context of urban planning and
development, research will tell you that it is a phenomenon wherein a neighborhood’s
character is transformed through the surge of more affluent residents and developments
which often leads to the displacement of its long-time residents.
However, retired athlete turned Real Estate Developer, Rashad Jones-Jennings, has a
different take on the controversial matter. Being a Chattanooga native and being a part
of the African American community which has a history of being marginalized, he
believes in the importance of writing a different story for his community.
“When you talk about gentrification, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I just think that we’ve
been on the wrong end of it. We need to be on the front end of that. We need to control
the narrative.”, Jones-Jennings says.
Through his real estate development firm, Post Pro Capital, Jones-Jennings plans to
revitalize the neighborhood where he grew up as he firmly believes that this could open
new doors and opportunities for his community. His development firm’s revitalization
plan covers two (2) residential developments located in the Eastdale community. The
said developments are described below:
- Phase 1: Valentina Estates Development Project
This is a 42-unit micro-home development project which is located at 3525
Gardner Road and is scheduled to break ground in February 2024. For
more information about this residential development project, you may visit
www.valentinaestates.com.
- Phase 2: Westdale Development Project
Situated at 3647 Gardner Road in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this
upcoming residential development project will feature 53 single-family
homes.
“Well, I feel like it’s all connected. When I was coming up, it was always make it out and
move to the suburbs. But when you do that, you know, the tax money follows. So if we
keep everything right here in our own neighborhoods, our schools will get that tax
revenue. In that way, we could build our neighborhoods up ourselves. We don’t have to
wait for somebody else to come in and do it. We can do it ourselves.”, Jones-Jennings
says.
Jones-Jennings and his team anticipate that the said back-to-back development
projects will bring about positive change to the community.
For more information about Post Pro Capital’s current and upcoming development
projects, you may visit www.postprocapital.com.
References:
1. Gentrification. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentrification. Retrieved January 2024