Oct. 7--The Chattanooga City Council will vote tonight on giving a $150,000 grant to the Trust for Public Land even as some council members questioned whether the economic times are right to divvy out large amounts of money.

"It's going to take land off the tax rolls in this economy," Councilman Jack Benson said. "And there are gray clouds out there worldwide."

The Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit corporation that works to acquire land for public use, is trying to buy more than 90 acres atop Stringer's Ridge near downtown Chattanooga. The trust plans to put more than $2.5 million into the project of buying the property and developing it into a public park.

The trust asked for the city to contribute $500,000 -- $150,000 this year and $350,000 next year.

Councilman Leamon Pierce said he also did not support the measure.

"I'm looking at the state of the economy, and I'm just not supportive of spending $150,000 right now," he said.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.

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