September is a good time to look at progress, not only as a construction milestone, but as evidence of what a community can accomplish when people work together with purpose.
Across Chattanooga, commercial construction and renovation projects are creating spaces where people can heal, learn, worship, work, and grow. At Robert Roberts LLC, we are proud to contribute to that progress through quality craftsmanship, responsible cost-management, and on-time completion.
From the North Shore to Hixson, our work with CADAS, Abba’s House, and Hixson Presbyterian Church demonstrates a simple truth: a well-built facility can become much more than walls and a roof. It can become a foundation for a stronger Chattanooga.
CADAS: Building Spaces for Recovery and Hope
CADAS, the Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, has served the Chattanooga region for decades by providing treatment, recovery support, and housing for individuals affected by substance use disorders. Its facilities must do more than function well. They must offer safety, dignity, stability, and room for people to take the next step in their recovery.
Our completed CADAS Sober Living Apartments project in Chattanooga’s North Shore area reflects that mission. The $2.8 million project created 24 one-bedroom apartments within approximately 17,000 square feet. These homes provide residents with a supportive place to live during the transition from treatment toward greater independence.
The project is an example of how commercial construction can directly support human services. Every design decision and construction detail contributes to a larger purpose: helping residents establish stability, rebuild relationships, and move forward.
Paul Fuchcar, CADAS executive director, shared this assessment of our partnership:
“I have worked with Robert over this project over several years and he has always proved himself to be honest, diligent, extremely knowledgeable, and shows the utmost professionalism. I highly recommend him!”
That trust matters. Projects serving vulnerable populations require strong communication, careful planning, and a contractor who understands the responsibility behind the work.
Renovating an Active Facility
Robert Roberts LLC also completed the CADAS first-floor renovation, a complex project involving approximately 11,000 square feet of existing space. The area was completely gutted and rebuilt to create a new 24-bed detoxification wing.
The renovation presented significant challenges. The older wood-framed structure had been built and renovated multiple times over more than 70 years. Existing plaster ceilings, multiple additions, and concealed conditions made demolition and structural work especially demanding.
At the same time, the second floor of the building remained occupied.
That required detailed coordination, careful sequencing, and ongoing communication. Structural engineering had to occur in real time as demolition progressed, with BACE Structural and Rardin and Carroll Architects working alongside our team to address conditions as they were uncovered.
This is where quality craftsmanship and cost-management meet practical problem-solving. A successful renovation is not simply about replacing old materials with new ones. It is about understanding the building, responding to the unexpected, and protecting the owner’s investment while keeping the mission moving forward.
A September Update: The CADAS Women’s Center
The CADAS story is still being built.
As of July 2026, the ongoing CADAS Women’s Center project had reached several major milestones. Framing, roofing, and exterior sheathing were complete, establishing the building’s structure and weather protection. Interior work was also underway, including drywall installation and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-ins.
These milestones may sound like standard construction phases, but they represent meaningful progress for the women who will ultimately be served in the new facility. Behind every completed wall and installed system is the promise of expanded care, treatment, and recovery resources.
CADAS has reported plans to expand both treatment and housing capacity in the region. Its work includes residential treatment, detoxification services, and sober living support, services that help people move through recovery one step at a time.
We are honored to help construct spaces where that progress can continue.
Learn more about the CADAS project and our commercial construction portfolio.
Abba’s House EPIC Preschool: Making Room to Learn and Play
For children, the built environment shapes daily experiences. A bright classroom can encourage curiosity. An accessible restroom can support independence. A safe play area can turn ordinary moments into opportunities for discovery.
The 7,000-square-foot Abba’s House EPIC Preschool remodel was designed around those principles.
The project expanded several classrooms and resource rooms by removing interior partitions. Restrooms were also enlarged to better support the preschool’s students and staff. Throughout the facility, we installed new finishes, flooring, paint, ceilings, energy-efficient LED lighting, millwork, and plumbing fixtures.
One of the most distinctive elements was the transformation of an old uncovered courtyard into an indoor playground. The new space includes resilient playground flooring, large activity and play rooms, and new play equipment designed for active learning and movement.
This was not simply a renovation of a building. It was an investment in the children, teachers, and families who use the space every day.
Melissa Tiffin of Abba’s House described the partnership this way:
“Robert Roberts, LLC is a highly professional and trustworthy company. Robert is incredibly knowledgeable and cares for his clients. His staff is a responsive, courteous and hardworking group of craftsman. We would recommend this group again without hesitation. Thank you so much for making our EPIC Preschool dreams become a reality!”
Her words capture why thoughtful commercial renovation matters. The finished space must be durable and practical, but it should also reflect the energy and purpose of the people inside it.
Explore Abba’s House EPIC Preschool.
Hixson Presbyterian Church: Managing Growth with Discipline
Hixson Presbyterian Church needed additional classrooms to support the congregation’s growing educational and ministry programs. Robert Roberts LLC completed a new addition that expanded the church’s capacity while coordinating construction around the existing facility.
The project also included a change in occupancy classification from Assembly A-3 to Education III-B. Managing that transition required attention to the facility’s intended use, code requirements, and long-term functionality.
Because Hixson Presbyterian is a nonprofit organization, sales tax planning was also important. The process used during construction allowed the church to benefit from its nonprofit sales tax exemption, saving more than $50,000.
The project finished on schedule and came in less than 2% over the original contract cost, even with scope growth during construction. That result reflects the value of consistent budgeting, clear communication, and proactive project management.
Doug Jones shared a detailed reflection on the completed work:
“The performance of your organization delivered a facility with high quality, while finishing the project on schedule with attention to budget.”
He also recognized the team’s ability to coordinate work around scheduled church activities, protect the existing building when utilities had to be connected, and follow up on cost savings and material deliveries.
“Even with some scope growth the project came in less than 2 percent over the original contract cost. We are a nonprofit organization and sales tax exempt. The process used allowed us to receive the benefit of this exemption which saved us over $50,000.”
His final observation is one we value deeply:
“I have told several people the best decision we made on this project was selecting Robert Roberts as our general contractor.”
Visit Hixson Presbyterian Church.
Our Why: Building More Than Facilities
When business owners search for general contractors Chattanooga TN, they are often looking for experience, reliability, and straightforward answers. Organizations comparing commercial general contractors Chattanooga TN need a partner who can manage the full process, from early planning and estimating through construction and closeout.
And when someone searches for commercial renovation companies near me, they should be able to find a contractor who understands the realities of local projects: active facilities, changing scopes, existing conditions, permitting requirements, and the importance of protecting a working budget.
At Robert Roberts LLC, our approach is built around three commitments:
- Quality craftsmanship: We take pride in the details that determine how a facility performs over time.
- Cost-management: We work to identify value, monitor budgets, and provide transparent information throughout the project.
- On-time completion: We plan carefully, coordinate trades, and respond quickly when challenges arise.
Our work with CADAS, Abba’s House, and Hixson Presbyterian shows how these values support community impact. A recovery center expands access to treatment. A preschool gives children room to learn. A church addition creates space for education and connection.
That is the kind of progress worth building.
How You Can Support Chattanooga’s Community Builders
Construction is only one part of a community’s progress. The next step belongs to all of us.
To support the organizations featured in this post:
- Visit CADAS to learn about recovery services, housing, treatment programs, and ways to donate or volunteer.
- Visit Abba’s House to learn more about its preschool and family-centered mission.
- Visit Hixson Presbyterian Church to learn about its ministries and opportunities to serve.
- Share this post with a Chattanooga business owner, nonprofit leader, church administrator, or community volunteer who is helping build a better future.
If your organization is considering a commercial construction or renovation project, contact Robert Roberts LLC to discuss your goals, budget, timeline, and next steps.
We are proud to serve Chattanooga and the surrounding region.
Robert Roberts General Contractor
Chattanooga, Tennessee
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