Sevier County has found a potential suitor for the repurposing of Kodak's Smokies Stadium, the site long associated with America's pastime in Tennessee. The Outlet Resource Group, based in Knoxville, is stepping up to the plate after being selected for exclusive negotiations with the county, preferred over two other developers who swung at the opportunity.
In a concerted effort, local officials are working with The Outlet Resource Group to preserve the stadium's legacy, as well as to breathe new life into the site. According to WATE, the developers have until August 20 to submit a detailed redevelopment proposal – a deadline set by the Memorandum of Understanding inked on April 22.
This initiative comes on the heels of the Tennessee Smokies baseball team's relocation to Covenant Health Park in Knoxville. Now, the Knoxville Smokies, the team, played their first home game at their new venue on April 14, leaving the future of their former home base in question.
The redevelopment is not solely for the echo of past cheers in the stands but will include a mix of workforce housing, retail, and dining to serve locals and tourists alike. "TORG’s preliminary proposal included new workforce housing, retail and dining options, while also repurposing the former stadium for new uses," according to a WBIR report. The board favored The Outlet Resource Group for their approach of maintaining the stadium's physical presence, signaling a nod to its historical importance.
The sentiment was echoed by Sevier County officials, who explained, "Out of the three submissions, TORG was the only developer to include a plan that keeps and reuses Smokies Stadium," as detailed by WVLT. For now, specifics of the redevelopment are cocooned in TORG's conceptual imaginations, but the community holds on to the assurance that the cherished Smokies Stadium will continue to be a part of Kodak's evolving landscape.
