Kenco Plans Riverside Complex
Chattanooga Times Free Press, June 20, 2006

By Mike Pare
Staff Writer

Chattanooga-based Kenco Group is crafting plans to redevelop nearly 30 acres of riverfront land near downtown.

The site off Riverside Drive could hold commercial and light industrial space as well as new housing, said Jim Kennedy III, chairman of the warehouse and logistics company.

"We think the location is great," said Mr. Kennedy about the property that held Quaker Oats' facilities for many years before Kenco bought the land and several buildings [in 1996].

Kenco has shifted its headquarters to a four-story building that it renovated on the complex it dubbed RiverMill.

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group moved its home office to the structure as well as Tune Design Architecture and Interiors. The building is full except for space left for future Kenco expansion, Mr. Kennedy said.

While plans aren't finalized, another existing building on the site could be the next to be upgraded to hold offices, warehouse or light assembly, Kenco officials said.

"We think it could be a great address for a lot of stuff," Mr. Kennedy said. "It's close to downtown and a straight shot to the airport.

Brian Tune, president of Tune Design, said Kenco plans to maintain that building's Riverside Drive frontage.

"It's an existing warehouse building. You could renovate it and make offices in the front and warehousing if needed," he said.
Jimmy Glascock, Kenco's vice president of real estate, said the site has 280,000 square feet of warehouse space which is used periodically.

"The plan is to gradually see that disappear," he said.

Mr. Kennedy said the property on the rear of the tract nearest the Tennessee River could hold residential space or possibly a marina. He said the site looks across to Chattanooga Golf and Country Club.

Mr. Tune said medium-density residential could make sense for some of the rear portion of the land.

"It's a unique site," he said.