Knoxville's historic sites are getting a major financial bootstrapping from the city's deep pockets. On Tuesday, the Knoxville City Council placed its bets on the preservation of its historical gems, allocating a hefty sum of $247,855 in grant money. The cash infusion is set to spruce up two notable landmarks: the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum and the Birdhouse Neighborhood Center, sources indicate.
Since the roll-out of the Historic Preservation Program in 2014, the city's Housing and Neighborhood Development Department has been sifting through piles of applications, looking to hand out grants to projects that can actually make it past the drawing board. According to the City of Knoxville, a panel including architecture and historic preservation pros does the legwork, ensuring the cash goes where it can stir up real community impact.
The deal with the devil is in the details: winners of this preservation lottery get their funds through a five-year forgivable loan that demands they get the job done by June 2025 — a ticking clock to make sure those historic walls don't crumble. It's not just about keeping the old bricks and mortar standing; it's about bringing the community a slice of living history.
Interested in where your tax bucks are going? Nose around the Historic Preservation Fund weblink and see how Knoxville's commitment to its roots is more than just lip service. There's a whole list of projects that have already benefited from the program, as announced by the City of Knoxville.
