Chattanooga, October 21, 2025
News Summary
The Hamilton County Department of Education is accepting bids for the construction of a new North River Elementary School in Chattanooga. The project, with a budget of $48 million, seeks to enhance educational facilities for the DuPont, Alpine Crest, and Rivermont communities. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled, and bids must be submitted by December 2, 2025. The new school, projected to open in fall 2027, is designed to accommodate up to 900 students with potential expansion to 1,000 students.
Chattanooga
The Hamilton County Department of Education is inviting sealed bids for the construction of a new North River Elementary School. The deadline for submitting these bids is set for December 02, 2025, at 3:00 PM. Bids related to this project, identified as CMAR-RFP 26-14, must be delivered to the Purchasing Department located at 3074 Claude Ramsey Parkway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
A mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for November 4, 2025, at 10:00 AM. This meeting will occur at 3055 Claude Ramsey Parkway, Chattanooga, TN 37421 (HCS IT Building). Vendors who fail to attend this pre-bid meeting will be considered non-responsive and will be ineligible for contract awards.
Bids must be submitted prior to the designated opening time; late submissions will also be deemed non-responsive. Additionally, the Hamilton County Department of Education does not accept faxed or electronic bids. Interested parties can obtain solicitation documents from the Vendor Registry website at www.hcde.org/purchasing. The Purchasing Department can be reached at (423) 498-7030.
The construction project has an estimated budget of $48 million and is expected to serve the DuPont, Alpine Crest, and Rivermont communities. The new North River Elementary School is set to open in fall 2027, and it will be located on the site of the current North River Family YMCA. The design will include a shared gymnasium, which will allow for collaboration with the Y, creating opportunities for swim lessons, after-school programs, and summer camps.
The decision to build this new school comes after a series of community engagement activities, including listening sessions and a school board vote in late 2024, regarding the school proposal first introduced in 2023. Some parents have voiced concerns regarding transitioning from smaller neighborhood schools to a larger, consolidated school. The new facility is designed to accommodate 900 students, although a county engineer has indicated the building could hold up to 1,000 students.
Current enrollment figures show that DuPont Elementary has 259 students, Alpine Crest has 301 students, and Rivermont has 329 students. The anticipated enrollment for the new North River Elementary School is projected to be between 650 and 800 students.
Key Features of the North River Elementary School Project
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Site of the North River Family YMCA |
| Total Budget | $48 million |
| Capacity | 900 students, expandable to 1,000 |
| Projected Opening | Fall 2027 |
| Community Engagement | Listening sessions and school board vote |
| Current Enrollments | DuPont: 259; Alpine Crest: 301; Rivermont: 329 |
| Anticipated Enrollment | 650 to 800 students |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline for submitting bids?
The deadline for submitting bids is December 02, 2025, at 3:00 PM.
What is the total budget for the North River Elementary School project?
The total budget for the North River Elementary School project is $48 million.
Where will the new North River Elementary School be located?
The new school will be located on the site of the North River Family YMCA.
When is the anticipated opening date for the new school?
The school is scheduled to open in fall 2027.
What is the expected student capacity for the new school?
The new facility is designed to accommodate 900 students but can potentially hold up to 1,000 students.
What were some of the community concerns regarding the new school?
Concerns have been raised by some parents about the transition from smaller neighborhood schools to a larger, consolidated school.
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Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: Bid Request
- Wikipedia: Hamilton County, Tennessee
- WDEF: New Vision for North River School
- Google Search: Hamilton County Schools
- News Channel 9: New Elementary School to Open
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Elementary School
- Times Free Press: New Hixson Area Elementary School
- Google News: North River Elementary School
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
