Opening night at Erlanger Park marked the beginning of a new era for the Chattanooga Lookouts and a significant milestone for the South Broad District.
The $115 million, 8,000 seat multi use stadium is located on the site of a former industrial foundry just south of downtown Chattanooga. The project is a key component of ongoing redevelopment efforts in the district, reconnecting the area to the city core while maintaining a clear link to its industrial past.
Bennett & Pless served as the structural engineer for the project, providing design for the ballpark and its integrated facilities. The stadium incorporates several existing structures from the former foundry, requiring careful evaluation, coordination, and integration into the new construction. This adaptive reuse approach influenced both the layout and structural systems, creating a facility that reflects the character of the site while meeting current performance and code requirements.
The ballpark is designed to support a variety of uses beyond baseball, with program elements that include premium clubs and suites, group hospitality areas, open concourses, and multiple seating types. These range from traditional seating to berm areas and enclosed club spaces, allowing the venue to accommodate different event types and audience sizes.
From a structural standpoint, the project required long span systems to maintain open views of the field and flexible concourse layouts. Sightline requirements, vibration considerations, and coordination with architectural and MEP systems were key drivers throughout design. The integration of new structural systems with existing buildings added complexity, particularly in aligning floor elevations, load paths, and lateral systems.
The project was delivered on a fast track schedule, which required close collaboration across the design and construction teams. Phasing, constructability, and material availability were considered early to support the schedule and maintain progress through construction.
Erlanger Park now serves as a central gathering space for the community and a driver for continued development in the South Broad District. The project demonstrates how new construction and existing structures can be combined to create a functional, durable venue that reflects both the history and future of the site.
