What's going on in East Tennessee?

[timmay143]

<div><font color="#4D4E51" face="Verdana" size="2"><b style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px;"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana"><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2" style="font-size: 13px; ">Very interesting.&nbsp;&nbsp;There will be a public input forum on the existing KAT Trolley System. It is basically a bus with a trolley shell.&nbsp;&nbsp;The trolley is free.&nbsp;&nbsp;The forum will be held on Tuesday, January 18th will be an informal 'open house' meeting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Knoxville Station's Training Room, 301 Church Avenue.&nbsp;&nbsp; A more formal meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 25th at 5:30 p.m. in the Market House Room of the Chamber Partnership Offices on Market Square.&nbsp;<br></font><br></font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></font><a href="http://www.cityofknoxville.org/Press_Releases/Content/2011/0111.asp" class="bbc_url" title="External link" rel="nofollow external"><br><font size="2" face="Verdana" style="font-size: 13px; ">KAT Requests Input on Downtown Trolley System</font></a><div><br></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2" face="Verdana" style="font-size: 13px; ">edit: Oh, I thought this was something new (a rail based trolley system aka streetcar).</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2" face="Verdana" style="font-size: 13px; "><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana"><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2" style="font-size: 13px; ">Anyways, since living here the past 2 or so years. &nbsp;i think Knoxville cold benefit from having a few BRT lines. &nbsp;The big ones would be Kingston Pk and Broadway. &nbsp;One down Clinton Hwy, Chapman Hwy, Alcoa Hwy, and Western Ave/Oak Ridge Hwy (maybe Middle Brook Pike too?) could work as well eventually. &nbsp;Not familiar with the east side of town, but I guess the major artery out that way is Magnolia Ave to Asheville Hwy. &nbsp;Maybe have something down Central too for a more&nbsp;</font><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#4D4E51">.</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#4D4E51" face="Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><br></span></font></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#4D4E51"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana">I think Knoxville and the surrounding area could benefit from having commuter rail as well. &nbsp;I know several people who commute to Alcoa, Maryville, Oak Ridge, and even as far as Sevierville.</font></span></span></font></font></div></span></b></font>

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Edited January 13, 2011 by timmay143

[timmay143]

The above post was supposed to look like this. I dunno why all the crazy html code!

Very interesting. There will be a public input forum on the existing KAT Trolley System. It is basically a bus with a trolley shell. The trolley is free. The forum will be held on Tuesday, January 18th will be an informal 'open house' meeting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Knoxville Station's Training Room, 301 Church Avenue. A more formal meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 25th at 5:30 p.m. in the Market House Room of the Chamber Partnership Offices on Market Square. KAT Requests Input on Downtown Trolley System

edit: Oh, I thought this was something new (a rail based trolley system aka streetcar). Anyways, since living here the past 2 or so years. I think Knoxville could benefit from having a few BRT/LRT lines. Although, I don't see anything like that happening ever, at least for a long while. Well maybe BRT, but I read a good article how the debate between the two depends on the corridor. What is there now and the potential.

The big routes would be Kingston Pk and Broadway which could eventually support LRT. One down Clinton Hwy, Chapman Hwy, Alcoa Hwy, and Western Ave/Oak Ridge Hwy (maybe Middle Brook Pike too?) could work as well eventually. Not familiar with the east side of town, but I guess the major artery out that way is Magnolia Ave to Asheville Hwy. Maybe have something down Central too with Central, Chapman, and Magnolia being good candidates for LRT.

I think Knoxville and the surrounding area could benefit from having commuter rail as well. I know several people who commute to Alcoa, Maryville, Oak Ridge, and even as far as Sevierville.

Edited February 22, 2011 by timmay143

[timmay143]

There are several things going on in Knoxville, and the only reason why I know this is because of knoxnews.com's Property Scope section and mailing list!!

The old Standard Knitting building has been bought by a NC based developer. He wants to convert the old building into commercial and working class apartments. I think this is great that an old, historic building is being reused! This could be great like the Werthan Mills and Rolling Mill Hill projects in Nashville. However, there seems to be opposition from the neighborhood claiming the developer has not thought about the surroundings. I guess they want him to connect to the rest of the neighborhood and understand it better instead of just coming in a building then leaving?

http://www.knoxnews....ndard-knitting/

After reading further the comments on the article. It seems there is issue about the type people living there as opposed to the few apartment/condos in that area which I imagine are more upscale and also the historic district. Are they NIMBYs?

Is there a stigma and/or misconception here? I don't know since I have only lived here for a few years. There might be some lack of progress like Nashville has overcome, but there have also been some great developments here in town (L&N building opening up as a school, restoration of Southern Glass buildings, many older buildings being used in the Old City, downtown, MinVila building restoration for organizations providing homes to help the homelss get back on their feet).

Notice the tracks next door. An LRT calling!!!

Old Standard Knitting Building by timmay143, on Flickr

Edited February 23, 2011 by timmay143

[timmay143]

Quick note, don't use the Quick Reply Editor, use the Full Editor. It works better (doesn't magically display html garbage).

The old L&N train station in downtown Knoxville has been transformed into a STEM school. Pretty cool and again a great use of an older building. I've seen it quite often from Broadway/Henley St. heading into downtown and thought what a nice building for reuse. Looks great on the inside too from this picture on knoxnews.com.

Tracks also run by this building (hence it was an old train station ). Come on LRT!!! Yeah right, wishful thinking!

Old L&N Railroad Station by timmay143, on Flickr

Here is an old, crappy picture I took a year or so ago. It is also posted in this topic:

L&N Depot by timmay143, on Flickr

Found a better picture from the paper

LN by timmay143, on Flickr

Edited February 27, 2011 by timmay143

[timmay143]

I haven't heard of this project, but it seems to stem back to 2009. Marble Alley as it is called is a large development slated for an area bounded by State St., Commerce Ave., S. Central St., and Union Ave. It is located on what I would call the backside of downtown. It would be a great connector for Gay St., Market Square, to the Old City. The developer is Buzz Goss. He plans to put a mixed used project with at least 10 buildings and a covered retail arcade. It seems the project has one portion ready to go, but the developer seems a little sketchy to me as in we've heard this before in Nashville (project is almost ready to go but nothing for years!). Anyways would be a huge and great project for Knoxville's downtown area if built!!

http://www.knoxnews....9/may/28/57269/

http://www.knoxnews....s-stalling-out/

http://blogs.knoxnew...rble-alley.html

An older rendering

Marble Alley old rendering by timmay143, on Flickr

Buzz and the area for Marble Alley by timmay143, on Flickr

Marble Alley google map by timmay143, on Flickr

The latest rendering

Marble-thumb-507x331-19198 by timmay143, on Flickr

Edited February 23, 2011 by timmay143

[timmay143]

A few more things I am going to regurgitate from the KNS.

The S&W Grand on Gay St. has closed and filed for bankruptcy which was a resurrection of an old staple the S&W Cafeteria.

http://blogs.knoxnew...tcy-protec.html

This is pretty cool. Never heard of it and its in my neck of the woods!! The Three Rivers Market which is currently on N. Broadway St. near the Domino's Pizza a few blocks above the N. Central St. intersection. It is moving, not far, to N. Central St. near the Merita Bread Site and the Baxter Ave intersection. The Three Rivers Market is an organic market. The new place plans to have an indoor and outdoor eating area and a sushi bar.

http://www.threerive...uary%202011.pdf

http://blogs.knoxnew...-work-on-n.html

3Rivers 007-thumb-500x375-19145 by timmay143, on Flickr

3Rivers 008-thumb-500x375-19149 by timmay143, on Flickr

3Rivers 009-thumb-520x260-19158 by timmay143, on Flickr

Edited February 24, 2011 by timmay143

[timmay143]

Alcoa is on the short list for Sierra Nevada Brewing East HQ!

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/may/17/alcoa-short-list-sierra-nevada-brewing-plant/

[timmay143]

Tower crane going up around UTK sports complex.

Untitled by timmay143, on Flickr

[timmay143]

Three Rivers Market progress.

Untitled by timmay143, on Flickr

[timmay143]

Update on some Knoxville area stuff:

Three Rivers is obviously done and open.

Knoxville opened its first Publix and Trader Joe's.

Cheddar's restaurant on Clinton Hwy.

Noodles and Company on the strip (Cumberland Ave.)

It seems that McAlister's Deli on the strip closed.

Margaritaville planned for Gatlinburg.

[timmay143]

Looks like UO is closer to a DT Knoxville store.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/aug/21/knoxville-panel-oks-250k-to-lure-urban-to-market/

Proposed hotel on the old Sentinel lot.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/aug/21/knoxville-panel-oks-250k-to-lure-urban-to-market/

This is great news as this is an awesome (to me at least) historic building in my neighborhood. Not thrilled with the assisted living (wish it could be apartments or condos or something residential), but at least it will be used.

http://blogs.knoxnews.com/flory/2012/08/oakwood-deal-finalized.html

Historic JFG coffee sign back up in Knox.

http://blogs.knoxnews.com/flory/2012/08/oakwood-deal-finalized.html

[timmay143]

Pretty cool.  Some proposals in Knoxville from the past.

 

http://blogs.knoxnews.com/flory/2012/12/what-could-have-been.html

 

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/dec/23/some-dreams-just-didnt-make-it-reality/

 

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.knoxnews.com%2Fmedia%2Fstatic%2FKnoxville_that_never_was.pdf

 

[Justiceham]

Knoxville has seen many changes throughout the city, and now you have the chance to be heard. Officials want to know what residents would like to see happen downtown at an upcoming meeting November 19, 2013 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the East Tennessee History Center.

 

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/oct/29/city-plans-downtown-redevelopment-summit/

[nashmoney]

Chattanooga rail backers want to get on track with new passenger line

 

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2014/jul/29/chattanooga-rail-backers-want-get-track-new-passen/?businesstnvalley

 

Good to know they applied for a TIGER Grant for studying the line....Hoepfully they get the grant.

[MLBrumby]

Big announcement of AMI's new Global HQ to be built in suburban Blount County and bring 605 "high quality" jobs. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/business/aroundregion/story/2015/oct/20/munitions-maker-build-553-million-global-headquarters-alcoa-tenn-add-605-jobs/331490/

[MLBrumby]

East Ridge, TN has been stagnant for the past 20 years and its main 'gateway' Exit 1 on I-75 reflected that with tired old motels and empty shopping centers. In the past 18 months, the exit has been rebuilt for higher volume and access road realigned. It has seen the addition of a Bass Pro Shop, a Hampton Inn, and a Chick Fil A. It's a major improvement, and a little bit east of there is the site of a proposed new water park/amusement complex. 

https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/business/aroundregion/story/2018/oct/19/zoning-sought-east-ridge-hotel-water-park/481416/

Just north of Exit 1, the I-75/I-24 junction will soon be replaced with multiple new ramps to improve the flow in both directions. 

Below is a TPS proposed for Ringgold Rd., just east of Exit 1. 

[East Side Urbanite]

Not bad for that type location.

[MLBrumby]

Largest Buc-ees breaks ground in Sevierville, TN. 

From News Fox17 (Nashville)

https://fox17.com/news/local/construction-on-worlds-largest-buc-ees-located-in-tennessee-begins-this-week 

Not everything is bigger in Texas: The Volunteer State's newest Buc-ee's Family Travel Center is expected to become the world's largest convenience store, surpassing it's location in New Braunfels.

The store is going up in Sevier County and is slated to be a 74,000-square-foot development, according to WBIR. A groundbreaking ceremony is slated for Friday.

It's slated for Sevierville’s busy Interstate 40 Exit 407, a "gateway" for millions of visitors headed to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The travel center will be complete with more than 120 fueling positions, EV Charging stations, and a 250-foot long car wash.

[Nathan_in_DC]

I'm going to be back in Oak Ridge and Knoxville all this week for a work trip, any suggestions for stuff I should make it a point to check out? Last time I spent any time in town would have been around 2015, so what neighborhoods have undergone substantial change since then?

[MLBrumby]

I can't speak directly about Knoxville, but I've been there a half dozen times since last summer.  Just a high level rundown of things I hope to see again next time:

1. Cumberland Avenue, new streetscape and several new apartment buildings completed (2 currently u/c)

2. UT campus new buildings, including Strong Hall, Student Center, new Engineering Building, West Dining Hall, and new construction at Ag Campus.  Lots of sprucing up of campus. I understand continuing the pedestrian mall down Andy Holt to Pat Head Summit will begin soon. I keep thinking the school has grand plans for the corner across from the Brown dormitory, but nothing I've heard of yet. 

3. Downtown, Gay Street and Market Square. There are about 4-5 new apartment buildings in this area and Old City. Knox doesn't have a lot of historical properties but the decent amount in the core has been nicely rehabbed. Still disappointing to see that not much has been done with the riverfront. 

4. I don't think ground has been broken on the new ballpark opposite James White from Old City, but it's imminent.  Also, I understand there's significant new and renovated houses in Holston Hills. I have not been there in years.

5. The old Baptist Hospital site has built up considerably in the past 5-7 years. It's pretty standard, unremarkable, but it's a far cry from the barren area it used to be. I haven't been there in about 3 years.  I read that UT will build a pedestrian bridge from the campus to the south side. Not sure it's been budgeted yet.  Noticed last time that a decent amount of commercial/residential is beginning to spill southward down Alcoa.

6. Knoxville is still very suburban, although I think it has some of the prettiest suburban neighborhoods in the Southeast. Cherokee/Sequoya Hills. Turkey Creek continues to build with low/midrise commercial buildings. I can't recall seeing any "new urbanism" residential adjacent or in Turkey Creek.  The new neighborhoods continue moving into West Knoxville and Farragut. 

7. Don't know anything about Oak Ridge. Haven't been in 5 years. 

[Nathan_in_DC]

On 3/20/2022 at 1:55 PM, MLBrumby said:

I can't speak directly about Knoxville, but I've been there a half dozen times since last summer.  Just a high level rundown of things I hope to see again next time:

1. Cumberland Avenue, new streetscape and several new apartment buildings completed (2 currently u/c)

2. UT campus new buildings, including Strong Hall, Student Center, new Engineering Building, West Dining Hall, and new construction at Ag Campus.  Lots of sprucing up of campus. I understand continuing the pedestrian mall down Andy Holt to Pat Head Summit will begin soon. I keep thinking the school has grand plans for the corner across from the Brown dormitory, but nothing I've heard of yet. 

3. Downtown, Gay Street and Market Square. There are about 4-5 new apartment buildings in this area and Old City. Knox doesn't have a lot of historical properties but the decent amount in the core has been nicely rehabbed. Still disappointing to see that not much has been done with the riverfront. 

4. I don't think ground has been broken on the new ballpark opposite James White from Old City, but it's imminent.  Also, I understand there's significant new and renovated houses in Holston Hills. I have not been there in years.

5. The old Baptist Hospital site has built up considerably in the past 5-7 years. It's pretty standard, unremarkable, but it's a far cry from the barren area it used to be. I haven't been there in about 3 years.  I read that UT will build a pedestrian bridge from the campus to the south side. Not sure it's been budgeted yet.  Noticed last time that a decent amount of commercial/residential is beginning to spill southward down Alcoa.

6. Knoxville is still very suburban, although I think it has some of the prettiest suburban neighborhoods in the Southeast. Cherokee/Sequoya Hills. Turkey Creek continues to build with low/midrise commercial buildings. I can't recall seeing any "new urbanism" residential adjacent or in Turkey Creek.  The new neighborhoods continue moving into West Knoxville and Farragut. 

7. Don't know anything about Oak Ridge. Haven't been in 5 years. 

Awesome, thanks! I'm about to head to Market Square then take a walk over to a brewery off west 5th to meet a college friend, so I should at least get a glance at a few of those projects.

[MLBrumby]

Wall Street Journal article today about the migration of people (many of them retirees) to certain rural counties, and Sevier (Gatlinburg) is featured prominently.   https://www.wsj.com/articles/retirees-lift-fortunes-in-rural-america-11652020080?mod=hp_lead_pos10 

And speaking of, Travel and Leisure named Gatlinburg as the "most charming" small town in Tennessee ...  https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/best-small-towns-in-tennessee 

Finally, Spin magazine has named Knoxville as #4 of the Top 10 Boomtowns of the future...  https://www.spinxdigital.com/blog/top-10-boomtowns-of-the-future/#tennessee

[KJHburg]

the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians is planning a major attraction at their development at exit 407 and I-40 where the huge Bucee's also will be.

https://theonefeather.com/2022/05/09/tribal-council-approves-75-million-for-the-407-gateway-to-adventure-puy-du-fou-partnership/

[MLBrumby]

Thought I'd bump this thread with the latest from Dollywood.  As part of a $500 million expansion called Wildwood Grove, the park has started its first new roller coaster since the steel-wing Wild Eagle in 2012 (the Mystery Mine was upgraded in 2021).  Called Big Bear Mountain, the new $25 million attraction will be the longest coaster ride at the park. 

Big Bear Mountain by the Numbers (Courtesy of Coaster Nation.... https://coasternation.com/new-roller-coaster-coming-to-dollywood-in-2023/ )

- Longest coaster ride at 3990 ft.

- Maximum speed 48 mph

- Ride duration of 99-104 seconds 

- 66 ft. high at highest elevation

- 20 passengers per train

- 23 different "butterfly moments"

- Theme will be hunting for Big Bear

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/dolly-parton-announces-new-roller-coaster-attraction-dollywood-theme-park 

[rancenc]

New entertainment complex breaks ground in Sevier County.

https://smokymountainnews.com/news/item/35465-ground-breaks-on-exit-407-entertainment-district