I’m glad to see some notables are sharing their opinion of the planned redesign of Ross’s Landing. I am in the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” category.

I grew up between the shadows of the Smoky Mountains and Neyland Stadium. I loved being outdoors and the adventures the mountains provided. And as a young, single man I was drawn to the nightlife of clubs and bars and the adventures they could provide.

In 1984 my employer transferred me to Chattanooga. The only thing I knew of Chattanooga was the suggestive billboard advertising a strip club that could be seen as I traveled through on my way to visit family in Alabama. I remember the nightlife offerings Chattanooga had was lacking to what I was accustomed to, so I found myself returning to the offerings available in west Knoxville and the university on weekends.

Fortunately, this was the same time of the beginning of the great renaissance of downtown Chattanooga, spearheaded by the opening of The Tennessee Aquarium. I remember coming across an advertisement for the Riverbend Festival that had just passed that June of my first year of residency. Being a lover of music, I was excited to see the city I just moved to had a music festival of this caliber. That was 42 years ago. (I became a Riverbend Festival junky and have the pins to prove it.)

I love this city and am proud to see what it has become and what it offers. The events that occur on our riverfront are significant and should not be risked for future development without consideration.

I hate that we no longer have a music festival, 3 Sisters being the lone survivor (We have a family committed to the love of bluegrass and this town to thank for its survival).