The Rossville Downtown Development Authority held a town hall meeting titled “A New Day in Rossville: A Renaissance,” conducted by consultant Paul Kreager.

The meeting is “the planning of opportunities for Rossville,” said Ron Wade, chairman of the RDDA.

A crowd of 70-80 people took part in the discussion of the potential future of Rossville.

Several governmental officials were in attendance, including Rossville mayor Johnny Baker, Walker County commissioner Bebe Heiskell, state Rep. Martin Scott of Rossville, and state Sen. Jeff Mullis of Chickamauga.

McFarland Avenue will be repaved, according to Baker. “Contract biding will begin in January with a completion date of August,” Baker said.

“I am a professional outside agitator,” Kreager joked with the attendees.

Kreager’s mission is to bring together governmental leadership and citizens’ interests, providing a long-term process for improvement and development in Rossville.

He told a story of the Amish approach to building barns that involves the whole community.

“If you look for opportunity closely, you find it in the doggonest places,” Kreager said.

Kreager carried the microphone around the room, letting each person share his or her ideas and concepts for Rossville.

Citizens made suggestions of upscale restaurants, green spaces, walking paths, many with similar suggestions to Chattanooga’s north shore.

Others focused on the heritage of the namesake of Rossville, John Ross, calling for a rebirth for the John Ross Festival, while Rossville resident John Dale made an impassioned plea for several concepts, including a Trail of Tears museum.

German-born Dale adopted American patriotism, and later Rossville as a hometown, in his youth, turning against tyranny to aid European communities. Dale, now in his twilight years, hopes to make another difference for his friends and neighbors and grandchildren in Rossville.

The crowd developed several dozen ideas displayed throughout the room.

Following a bowl of chili and snacks, each attendee was given stickers to be placed next to their favorite suggestions.

Some of the ideas that received the most votes were to make Rossville a destination, upscale restaurants, an annual festival, and the reuse of abandoned buildings.

Rossville officials mentioned that Dr. Geoffrey Singer is currently “under contract” for the building which includes Roy’s Grill.

Singer plans to reopen Roy’s, along with an ice cream shop, pizzeria, and an additional restaurant with courtyard, and rooftop seating allowing for a scenic view of Lookout Mountain.

Singer, a trauma doctor from Port St. Lucie, Fla., has invested in property on Chattanooga’s north shore and has several apartments on the newly renovated south side.

“I like Rossville. I think there is potential and it is time for something to happen there,” Singer said, comparing its potential to the resurgence he has seen in the past few years on the south side of Chattanooga.

Rep. Scott suggested a “facade squad” to improve the downtown curb appeal.

Beginning the façade transformations will be Brody’s Jewelry, which was prompted by a vehicle crashing into the building recently.

Four committees involving design, economic development, marketing and organization have been started with citizen volunteers aiding in the effort.

The RDDA will confer with Kreager and the volunteer committees to determine the direction based on the public input.