The principal in an architectural firm examining problems at the Passage downtown told Chattanooga City Council members today that a $1.5 million reconstruction project will remedy structural issues at the waterfront attraction.

“We won’t have major maintenance (after this work),” said Vance Travis, with TWH Architects, Inc. “This fixes it.”

His comments came after Councilman Jack Benson questioned if the city was “entering into a money pit situation” with the Passage, which opened three years ago but now is closed due to a number of structural problems. The attraction is meant to honor American Indians.

Mr. Travis ran through those problems — which include condensation in some lights and cracks where water has seeped through — during a council Budget, Finance and Personnel Committee meeting Tuesday afternoon.

He said crews will do a “partial demolition” that will include taking out blocks that line the surface of the reflection pool. Reconstruction work will include the installation of new guardrails, better lighting and the alteration of steps to make it safer to wade into the pool, Mr. Travis said.

For complete coverage, read tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.

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