In the early 2000s, the Tennessee Aquarium was closing out its first decade on the river with plans underway for a major expansion: the Ocean Journey building. At the same time, two other nearby institutions were in the midst of their own major expansions. The three joined forces, under the leadership of former U.S. Sen. Bob Corker (then mayor of Chattanooga) to embark on a combined campaign for funding.
The plan worked, and these expansions were important facets of an even larger plan to transform Chattanooga’s riverfront experience: the 21st Century Waterfront Plan.
Twenty years later, Sen. Corker popped by the Studio Dive Cage to talk about the origins of the Plan, the perpetual optimism with which it was realized and the continuing impact it’s having on the Aquarium’s hometown so many years later.
Episode Cast
- Casey Phillips, host, senior communications specialist, resident of Chattanooga
- Bob Corker, former mayor of Chattanooga and two-term U.S. Senator
- Todd Womack, Corker’s former senatorial chief of staff, current president/CEO of Bridge Public Affairs
Tune in to this episode below or check out more ways to listen on our Podcast Aquatic main page.
