Ross's Landing to Close for 18-Month Redevelopment
The City of Chattanooga will shut the popular riverfront park for construction beginning in late November 2026.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The City of Chattanooga will close Ross's Landing, a popular riverfront park along the Tennessee River, for approximately 18 months as part of the Riverfront Parks NEXT! redevelopment project. Construction is scheduled to begin in late November 2026.
Why it matters
The closure will remove a key public riverfront gathering space from Chattanooga for well over a year while the redevelopment is built out. Riverfront Nights organizers must now make alternative plans for 2027.
The City of Chattanooga's announced schedule sets construction to begin in late November 2026 and run roughly 18 months, with the park projected to reopen in Spring 2028. The redevelopment's scope, including more than 200 new shade trees and two new restaurant spaces, has not been priced or compared to prior project budgets in the available information.
The players
City of Chattanooga
Chattanooga is the county seat of Hamilton County in southeastern Tennessee, situated on the Tennessee River, and it operates the municipal parks system that includes Ross's Landing.
The details
The redevelopment is part of the Riverfront Parks NEXT! project and will add an expanded riverfront dock, a new playground, recreational courts, improved lighting, and restrooms. The city will shut down the park for construction under that project's schedule.
Timeline
Late November 2026: Construction at Ross's Landing is scheduled to begin.
2027: Riverfront Nights organizers must make alternative plans for the year.
Spring 2028: Ross's Landing is expected to reopen.
Openings & Closings Context
The 18-month closure of Ross's Landing is a concrete phase of the Riverfront Parks NEXT! project, which the city is using to rebuild its downtown riverfront with a larger dock, new amenities, and two restaurant spaces. The project's timeline positions the park's reopening for Spring 2028 as the milestone readers can track.
Residents and visitors who use Ross's Landing for walks, dock access, playgrounds, or courts will need to find other riverfront spots for roughly 18 months. Riverfront Nights attendees should watch for the organizers' announcement of 2027 alternative arrangements.
The takeaway
Plan around the closure by noting Spring 2028 as the expected reopening window for Ross's Landing. Watch for official city updates on construction milestones and on where Riverfront Nights will move in 2027.
What happens next
Construction at Ross's Landing is scheduled to begin in late November 2026, and the park is projected to reopen in Spring 2028.
Further reading
Explore more Openings & Closings coverage for Chattanooga business and public-space changes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hits 96 | WDOD-FM.
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