The Pryor Brown Garage, a historic fixture of downtown Knoxville and one of the nation's oldest parking structures has been set for demolition, with concerns about its dilapidated state prompting the clearance. Structurally unsound, and suffering from both neglect and a caved-in roof, the 100-year-old building began as a stable but had long transitioned to an automotive parking facility before falling into disuse. According to KnoxTNToday, the teardown will cause temporary closures along one block of Market Street and two sidewalks, affecting the daily commute and flow of residents and visitors alike.
Demolition crews from E. Luke Greene Co. started the project on January 6th, setting the stage for the end of an era for the Pryor Brown Garage. Despite its derelict appearance, Jack Neely of the Knoxville History Project had noted in a past interview that the garage captivated hundreds in its heyday as a "state-of-the-art" facility. However, as WVLT News reported, "People call it an eyesore today but that’s because it wasn’t taken care of for the last 10 years or so," Neely said.
While efforts to repurpose the garage had come and gone, including a failed attempt in 2016 to convert the location into a mixed-use residential and retail space, none succeeded in altering its fate. Knoxville's preservation community, including Knox Heritage, had invested a decade in attempts to save the structure, fearing the possibility of its story ending in mere oblivion once the landscape is wiped clean. "We would like to see some type of call back to the history of the site. I think our biggest concern is that it’ll be torn down and nothing will happen on this site,” said Christine Cloninger with Knox Heritage, as per WVLT News.
The site's rich history includes a transformation from a horse livery stable to an automobile garage, and it was once the custodian of local artifacts and lore. Neely expressed a hope that any future development might honor this past by providing space for small businesses. As the site faces oblivion, questions linger about what will rise from its footprint, with no immediate plans disclosed by the property owner, according to coverage by The Knoxville News Sentinel.
