Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Enterprise South Industrial Park consists of 3,000 acres.[1] A large portion of this property will be home to Volkswagen's new United States automobile plant.[2]
History
editIn late 1941, the U.S. Army entered into contracts to build a TNT manufacturing plant at the site, known as the Volunteer Ordnance Works. Less than a year later, two TNT production lines were operating at capacity, and plans were revised to add additional production facilities at the site.[3]
After World War II, the plant was placed in a standby state, but was reactivated for the Korean War, producing almost 284 million pounds of TNT. At the end of the Korean War, the plant was again mothballed. Production resumed in October 1965 in support of the Vietnam War, and the plant was renamed, becoming the Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant. During the Vietnam War, the plant received significant upgrades, but many of the upgraded, continuous-type production lines were never placed into service. Production of TNT ceased in March 1977.[4]
Conversion to Civilian Uses
editIn the 1990s, portions of the site began to be opened up to civilian purposes. Hickory Valley Road was opened through the plant, connecting Highway 58 with Bonny Oaks Drive. The Hamilton County Schools executed a lease on the old administration buildings at VAAP, renovating the facilities for their central office.
2,800 acres of Enterprise South will be opened to the public as the Enterprise South Nature Park.[5] There is no timetable yet for the opening, but late 2009 has been mentioned. The park will be for passive uses, including bicycling and walking.
Notes
edit- ^ http://www.chattanoogachamber.com/enterprisesouthsite/sitemaps.asp
- ^ http://www.volkswagengroupamerica.com/production/index.htm
- ^ http://www.state.tn.us/environment/dor/vaap/history.shtml
- ^ http://www.state.tn.us/environment/dor/vaap/history/production.shtml
- ^ http://www.newschannel9.com/news/south_974316___article.html/enterprise_mention.html
Work in Progress