Background Report

In this section:

 

Introduction
Two prominent themes emerged in creating this plan: building stronger neighborhoods and building a stronger economy. Both of those goals are appropriate in view of the century-old neighborhoods and industrial areas that need ongoing attention in making Knoxville a better place to live and work. The goals are also appropriate in creating a more vibrant downtown, a place where historic preservation and new development are being enjoined to truly make Knoxville the heart of the region.

convention center

The new convention center is a key component of downtown revitalization.

 

A summary of projects in recent years
The Central City Sector Plan is a guide for future land use and the development of the transportation system and community facilities. This plan, which supersedes the 1995 document, is one of 12 sector plans for Knoxville/Knox County. Since the adoption of the last version, several projects, plans and initiatives have been completed that are crucial to the vitality of the sector. These are depicted on Map 1 and include:

  • Fort Sanders Neighborhood Plan and Conservation District
  • Old City Plan
  • University of Tennessee Master Plan and bridge to Agricultural Campus
  • Market Square Historic District and Kinsey-Probasco renovation
  • Bijou Theatre and Tennessee Theatre renovation
  • Lower Gay Street building restoration and reuse
  • Jackson Avenue Redevelopment Plan
  • The Convention Center and World’s Fair Park redevelopment
  • Volunteer Landing (ongoing development)
  • Woman’s Basketball Hall of Fame
  • Gay Street Bridge renovation

Market Square illustration

Market Square restoration is one of numerous recent improvements.

  • Hope VI (including Mechanicsville Commons and infill housing)
  • Caswell Park redevelopment
  • First Creek Greenway
  • The Edgewood-Park City Historic District
  • Fourth and Gill Historic District
  • The Central City Business Park, including the News Sentinel Building
  • Alcoa Highway improvements
  • James White Parkway connection to South Knoxville Bridge
  • I-640 and Broadway interchange redevelopment

In addition to these projects or plans, other more broad-based plans or ordinances have been adopted that have a bearing on area-wide transportation, urban design and neighborhood concerns. These include the creation of the Empowerment Zone, the Knoxville Area Transportation Action Plan 2010, the Knoxville Street Tree Master Plan, Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Zoning (enabling neighborhoods to protect their architectural features and foster compatible new development), the Bicycle Plan, and the Downtown Knoxville Transportation Linkages Study.

 

Organization of the report
The first section of this document contains background information on population, environmental constraints, land use, transportation and community facilities. Also discussed are special planning opportunities that were identified through the input of citizens, the city’s Community Development Department and MPC staff. The work of Zone Area Councils (the citizen groups created under the Empowerment Zone program) was particularly significant in identifying issues, visions and special opportunities.

The second section, the 15-year development plan, includes proposed land use that will serve as a guide for zoning decisions and in updating the city’s One Year Plan. Long range facility and transportation improvements are also identified. Specific proposals for the special planning opportunities are developed in greater detail and illustrated.

The final section, the five-year plan, provides an outline of capital improvements and related programs to realize the plan. Appendices are included, providing street and highway information, more detailed outlines of issues, and proposals that were identified through public meetings.

 

Basic considerations: Knoxville’s oldest institutional, industrial and residential areas
The complexities associated with this sector are great. With over 48,000 residents, it is the most populated sector. Its land use is diverse and includes Knoxville’s most extensive industrial areas, many dating from railroad corridor development of the late 19th century.

With the university, colleges, courts and other governmental uses, the sector also contains the lion’s share of institutional uses in the county. At its heart is downtown, which rests on the plateau that was Knoxville’s birthplace in 1792. A quilt of the city’s oldest neighborhoods form much of the landscape within a few miles of downtown. The age of the sector’s housing and other building stock is a mixed blessing. On a positive side, the heritage associated with several historic districts can be preserved. On the downside, there are extensive areas with deteriorating conditions, suggesting a need for further preservation or redevelopment.

4th and Gill home

Historic building restoration is one of many opportunities envisioned by Empowerment Zone residents.

 

 

 

 

Historic Magnolia Ave.

Magnolia Avenue in the early 20th century: trolley service led to the development of many Central City neighborhoods.