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July 17, 2026

Why Are Chattanoogans ‘Doing It Their Damn Selves’? Plus, Perks of Nearby Nature

City Cast YCCBB

Why Are Chattanoogans ‘Doing It Their Damn Selves’? Plus, Perks of Nearby Nature

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Sometimes it can feel like city government is two (or more) steps behind the needs of its neighborhoods. Enter the residents of Chattanooga, Tennessee. What Chattanoogans don’t have, they make up for in advocacy, whether by showing up to city council and organizing for change or just doing things themselves. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with creator and city lover Hope Henchey about how she and her neighbors are sneakily and secretly fixing up their city. You’ve heard of the Nashville bench builders — now get ready for the Chattanooga pothole fillers, sidewalk layers, and (literal) trail blazers.

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