A Peek Behind the Curtain at Cambridge Square 

The Cambridge Square development is a mixed-use, 135-acre neighborhood just off I-75 in Ooltewah, Tennessee. It features residential neighborhoods, commercial spaces, and a public commons area.

 

Some Red Bank officials and residents suggest Cambridge Square is a desirable model to replicate at Red Bank Central Park. A peek behind the curtain reveals a different reality: that Cambridge Square simply is a glorified parking lot and strip mall.

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Myth:

Cambridge Square is an ideal mixed-use development model for the 12-acre Red Bank Central Park site. 

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Reality:

Of the 135-acre Cambridge Square development, the commercial square comprises only 9.4 acres (6.7%). Of that commercial square: 

➢ 4.7 acres (50%) is asphalt/concrete; 

➢ 4.0 acres (42.6%) is buildings; 

➢ 0.4 acres (4.3%) is a public commons area for gatherings;

    ▪ Only 0.16 acres of the public commons area is actual grass; 

➢ 0.3 acres (3.2%) is miscellaneous. 

 

Leaving only 4.3% of our 12-acre Red Bank Central Park for use as a public commons would equal 0.52 acres – about two typical residential lots, a pittance of public space.

 

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Myth:

Cambridge Square is a unique shopping destination, that could draw outside people into Red Bank to spend money, boost our economy, and pad the city budget. 

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Reality:

Cambridge Square currently hosts 36 commercial businesses: 

➢ 18 (50% of the commercial spaces) are services and offices, such as health care, financial management, a bank, real estate sales and salons… not the type of businesses that draw tourists. 

➢ 13 restaurants (36% of the spaces); 

➢ 5 (14%) retail shops, include boutiques, a butcher shop, flowers, and a creative crafts studio. 

 

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Myth:

Cambridge Square provides a “large community square” for public gatherings.

 

Reality:

The community square, surrounded by the commercial buildings, is only 0.4 acres, with 4 pavilions, a fountain and a stage. It contains only 0.16 acres of grass (about twice the size of a typical Red Bank residential front yard), divided by concrete walkways into 4 tiny patches, not even enough to be considered public green space.