Knoxville's Old City District to Get a Makeover with New Infrastructure Investments

Knoxville's Old City district is slated to receive a substantial makeover with new sidewalks and streetlights heading its way. Knoxville City Council, in a meeting held on Tuesday, gave the green light for public infrastructure upgrades which include improvements to East Jackson Avenue between Morgan Street and Stadium Way. This zone, shadowed beneath the overpasses of Hall of Fame Drive and James White Parkway, is a familiar sight to many who frequent the area's expansive parking lots.

The awarding of the $621,633 construction contract to Whaley Construction, noted for its low bid and responsiveness, indicates the City's desired to promptly move forward with the enhancements. The renovations are part of a continual investment in the area, extending back to the efforts initiated in 2016 on Jackson Avenue's western end and subsequent updates along Central Street and Willow Avenue, as detailed in a report by the City of Knoxville.

Beyond street facelifts, the City Council has agreed to pump an additional $6.6 million from city reserves into the budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. This financial injection is earmarked for major projects, including a $4.2 million revitalization of the Burlington commercial corridor and a further $1.25 million for the second phase of developments at Sam E. Hill Park in Lonsdale, which is set to feature a new pavilion and restroom facilities.

Moreover, Knoxville is striving to comprehensively tackle the need for affordable housing. To this end, Council has empowered Mayor Indya Kincannon to award a $1.5 million grant from the Affordable Rental Development Fund to aid in the construction of 30 rental units at Golden Age II. These units are specifically designated for extremely low-income residents, supplementing the overall project which will see the creation of 90 apartments tailored to suit the needs of elderly citizens. This fiscal year alone has seen the City earmark $4 million towards the goal of expanding affordable, sustainable housing opportunities, as per the city's announcement.

City Council meeting also marked the end of an era for five members, as they wrapped up eight years of dedicated service. The outgoing members include representatives Tommy Smith of the 1st District, Andrew Roberto from the 2nd, Seema Singh of the 3rd, Lauren Rider of the 4th, and Gwen McKenzie of the 6th District.