OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Knoxville City Council Workshop on Redevelopment and Special Project Areas - August 27, 2026

City CouncilThursday, August 27, 2026
BodyKnoxville, Tennessee
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, August 27, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:11:03

Transcript — Verbatim
2:50

Good evening.

2:51

It is six oh one and we will go ahead and um begin our workshop.

2:59

Um so I'm calling this to order, but I'm not getting any.

3:05

And um it's I know, but we're going to so maybe we'll get order when we stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Doug Lloyd.

3:14

Councilman Lloyd.

3:51

Five members present, Vice Mayor.

3:58

Uh late after uh an event that ends at six, and so she should be here in a little while.

4:09

Um, as you recall, when we did our priorities of what kind of workshops and things we wanted to talk about and learn about when it was about the city owned properties, what were the thoughts that the city was thinking about with those properties, which will lead to some discussion about redevelopment and how we do redevelopment plan with these kind of projects.

5:00

I'm thinking that we have several projects to share with you about 12.

5:04

And I think if we talk about each project, and then if there's questions about that project, we have those, and then we move to the next.

5:12

We'll kind of cue you in.

5:13

That's fine.

5:14

But then at the end, if we want to talk back to anything, is that does that sound like that?

5:19

That's fine.

5:20

I just think if you're in the middle of talking about something we're very interested in you.

5:23

Some lights are going to come on.

5:24

So I just was well, so maybe maybe at the end of each project.

5:30

If we see your light come on, we won't stop, but we'll wait till the end of the content about that slide, and then we'll say your lights on again.

5:39

Well, someone cut or do you have a say?

5:41

So what I think, you know, the way we do this is they'll turn on their lights, and then when I think there's a a pause, or when you're kind of get to that end, then we know the order in which they've turned on their lights, and it helps me sure call better.

5:55

So all right.

5:57

Well, we're happy to be flexible along the way.

5:59

Oh, well, Councilman Lloyd can't ask any questions tonight because he said his light is not working.

6:06

Well, there's always the good old hand raised.

6:09

Yes, yes.

6:10

We'll make it work.

6:12

Yes, we will.

6:13

Yes.

6:13

Okay.

6:14

All right.

6:14

Well, great.

6:15

So well, thank you for inviting us back.

6:18

Uh as some of you joined us, were able to join us at our last workshop that we were presenting in when was that, May?

6:27

Where we talked about uh public-private partnership and discussed what are the redevelopment and public finance tools, and we provided an overview of why those are important, how incentives really catalyze development, what tools are available, where we focus those incentives.

6:47

We shared our mapping tool and all of our resources and process with you all.

6:51

So we're hopeful that this is sequential and that it follows and to remind you have a reminder of that process as we go through each of these projects.

7:03

Although each project is very specific in its context and kind of has its own life, and they're all unique, and that I think that thread will really resonate throughout.

7:12

But we'd like to share with you how development happens in so many ways in our community, as you all have seen over just our the history.

7:25

And we have these flexible but very strategic tools that we outlined with you last time, and how we align those tools with community engagement and with design and master planning to create truly quality projects that are reflective of Knoxville, and that importantly leverage the private development community.

7:47

So all of that to be said, here we are in our beautiful city.

7:52

Um this map we've just created really to help us tell the story today of where opportunity sites are and how public investment is really setting this stage for opportunity for partnership.

8:06

And I'll let Ben dive into a little bit more about how this map reads.

8:11

Yeah, so uh any good city has a a context for number one, why are we making certain public investments, particularly on this map connectivity is highlighted.

8:23

And then also what private development opportunities flow from that.

8:27

So this is a map that we're gonna in the future.

8:29

We just kind of created a final draft, but we're gonna start sharing with folks.

8:34

It's the story of connectivity, walkability, bikeability in Knoxville.

8:39

So the bright orange lines represent the solid orange lines represent existing major greenway connections.

8:47

The dotted orange lines represent something that is in planning and has not been completed yet, but will be.

8:53

So sort of telling that story, how can someone in a you know not that long into the future go have a meal on the Southwaterfront at the you know new Pedbridge site, walk across to the kneeling greenway, go through an improved Maplehurst area, um, onto World's Fair Park in McClung.

9:10

That's a silly way to put it, but you know, it's it's practical to people and how they will live.

9:15

The light orange sites on this map really are highlighting private development opportunities.

9:21

Some of these are city-owned properties, so area around Pedbridge, Hill Avenue, the old KPD site that we'll talk about in a minute, McClung, but some of these are strategically important sites that I know council has you know asked about for an update on.

9:39

So, like standard knitting mill is a really good example of that one.

9:42

But really, honing in on how do we continue to make public investments along with the private development community that benefit both parties and the public generally.

9:55

Yeah.

9:55

So I want to point out too, we're gonna link this map on our website and eventually digitize it in our KGIS tools.

10:03

So it's truly meant to be a living map.

10:06

So these lines will change as we make progress.

10:09

The parcels will change as we have different opportunities arise from that public investment in connectivity.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development██████████████████████████████30%
Community Engagement███████████████████████████27%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Historic Preservation████████████12%
Transportation Safety██████6%
Procedural████4%
Affordable Housing████4%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Knoxville City Council Workshop on Redevelopment and Special Project Areas - August 27, 2026

The Knoxville City Council held a workshop on August 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM to discuss redevelopment opportunities, public-private partnerships, and city-owned properties. The session was led by staff from the Office of Redevelopment and Special Projects, who presented an overview of connectivity maps, specific project updates, and the strategic use of financial tools such as TIFs and PILOTs. Council members engaged in detailed discussion about public engagement tiers, developer selection processes, and the balance between city-led and institutionally driven projects.

Discussion Items

  • Connectivity and Opportunity Map: Staff introduced a new map highlighting existing and planned greenway connections (solid and dotted orange lines) and private development opportunities (light orange parcels). The map is intended to be a living tool updated on the city's website and GIS system.
  • 200 Block (Gay Street): A successful mixed-use development (approx. 50 condos) supported by a $3.7 million TIF. Staff noted developer risk from reappraisal cycles affecting TIF repayment.
  • Sanitary Laundry (Broadway): Acquired by the city in 2014 via tax sale, stabilized with environmental remediation, and later developed through direct negotiation with MHM (a local design firm) using a PILOT, historic preservation funds, and a brownfield grant. Councilmember Honeycutt praised the city's long-term stewardship.
  • Standard Knitting Mill: Privately owned, challenging site near First Creek. Multiple attempts at redevelopment have stalled due to market conditions, lack of a state mill tax credit in Tennessee, and an unmarked KUB water line. Staff noted they are ready to work with future investors.
  • Magnolia Avenue Warehouse Redevelopment Area: Established early 2010s with an extension in 2025. Enables TIF, EDA grants, and brownfield grants. Staff emphasized that infrastructure investments can be made on a larger scale within these districts.
  • Chilhowee Park: Part of the Magnolia Corridor Plan; staff clarified that no private development is planned on the park itself. A hydrology study and community input process are ongoing to guide park improvements and stormwater management. Over four community meetings have been held.
  • North Waterfront Redevelopment Plan (UT Entertainment District): UT is developing the "865 Entertainment District" (approx. 150,000 sq ft of indoor/outdoor space) atop the G10 parking deck. Staff discussed how TIF capture from UT's public-private partnerships can generate property tax revenue that would otherwise flow to tax-exempt state land. Council expressed concern about public input for the district, with staff noting that UT leads on programming while the city focuses on infrastructure (pedestrian experience, utilities, greenway connections).
  • Maplehurst: UT owns about 80% of the area (purchased for $45 million). City is conducting an infrastructure study and historic inventory to inform a master planning process. Staff reiterated that public input will focus on the public realm (e.g., street improvements, connectivity), not programming on UT-controlled land.
  • St. Mary's Site: A challenging site transformed through city ownership and investment (public safety facility, LMU's presence, preservation of the old hospital). Staff highlighted the partnership with the Oakwood-Lincoln Park neighborhood.
  • Hill Avenue (Former Public Safety Site): A blank slate. The first community engagement event is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10 AM to 1 PM at the site (family-friendly, hands-on activities). No preconceived plan; input will guide a future master plan and RFQ/RFP process.
  • Jackson Avenue (McClung Warehouse): The city conducted an RFQP process with about 200 participants providing input. A developer has been selected, but the name is not yet public while a development agreement is being finalized (expected community preview of the proposal this fall). Staff explained the need to avoid premature announcements.
  • South Waterfront Downriver Master Plan: An RFQ is open with multiple applicants. Staff noted the possibility of selecting a single developer for direct negotiation rather than shortlisting multiple teams for a full RFP. Councilmember Adams expressed concern about skipping the competitive RFP stage and missing multiple design proposals. Staff defended the efficiency and collaborative potential of direct negotiation, especially given the alignment needed with the pedestrian bridge project ($15 million of the bridge budget relies on new increment from this development).

Key Outcomes

  • No formal votes were taken; the workshop was informational for the council.
  • Staff reported that since 2020, public-private partnerships have driven over $2 billion in private investment, created or preserved 8,000 housing units (5,000 affordable in some capacity), and are expected to generate $5 million in new property tax revenue over the next five years—all with no direct city capital investment.
  • Council emphasized the importance of clearly communicating the level of public engagement for each site based on city ownership (tier 1), TIF district involvement (tier 2), or institutionally-led projects (tier 3). Mayor and council encouraged staff to clarify these tiers to the public early in each project.
  • The Hill Avenue public engagement event on September 12 was promoted as the first step in community-driven planning for that site.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. It is six oh one and we will go ahead and um begin our workshop. Um so I'm calling this to order, but I'm not getting any. And um it's I know, but we're going to so maybe we'll get order when we stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Doug Lloyd. Councilman Lloyd. Five members present, Vice Mayor. Uh late after uh an event that ends at six, and so she should be here in a little while. Um, as you recall, when we did our priorities of what kind of workshops and things we wanted to talk about and learn about when it was about the city owned properties, what were the thoughts that the city was thinking about with those properties, which will lead to some discussion about redevelopment and how we do redevelopment plan with these kind of projects. I'm thinking that we have several projects to share with you about 12. And I think if we talk about each project, and then if there's questions about that project, we have those, and then we move to the next. We'll kind of cue you in. That's fine. But then at the end, if we want to talk back to anything, is that does that sound like that? That's fine. I just think if you're in the middle of talking about something we're very interested in you. Some lights are going to come on. So I just was well, so maybe maybe at the end of each project. If we see your light come on, we won't stop, but we'll wait till the end of the content about that slide, and then we'll say your lights on again. Well, someone cut or do you have a say? So what I think, you know, the way we do this is they'll turn on their lights, and then when I think there's a a pause, or when you're kind of get to that end, then we know the order in which they've turned on their lights, and it helps me sure call better. So all right. Well, we're happy to be flexible along the way. Oh, well, Councilman Lloyd can't ask any questions tonight because he said his light is not working. Well, there's always the good old hand raised. Yes, yes. We'll make it work. Yes, we will. Yes. Okay. All right. Well, great. So well, thank you for inviting us back. Uh as some of you joined us, were able to join us at our last workshop that we were presenting in when was that, May? Where we talked about uh public-private partnership and discussed what are the redevelopment and public finance tools, and we provided an overview of why those are important, how incentives really catalyze development, what tools are available, where we focus those incentives. We shared our mapping tool and all of our resources and process with you all. So we're hopeful that this is sequential and that it follows and to remind you have a reminder of that process as we go through each of these projects. Although each project is very specific in its context and kind of has its own life, and they're all unique, and that I think that thread will really resonate throughout. But we'd like to share with you how development happens in so many ways in our community, as you all have seen over just our the history. And we have these flexible but very strategic tools that we outlined with you last time, and how we align those tools with community engagement and with design and master planning to create truly quality projects that are reflective of Knoxville, and that importantly leverage the private development community. So all of that to be said, here we are in our beautiful city. Um this map we've just created really to help us tell the story today of where opportunity sites are and how public investment is really setting this stage for opportunity for partnership. And I'll let Ben dive into a little bit more about how this map reads. Yeah, so uh any good city has a a context for number one, why are we making certain public investments, particularly on this map connectivity is highlighted. And then also what private development opportunities flow from that. So this is a map that we're gonna in the future. We just kind of created a final draft, but we're gonna start sharing with folks. It's the story of connectivity, walkability, bikeability in Knoxville. So the bright orange lines represent the solid orange lines represent existing major greenway connections. The dotted orange lines represent something that is in planning and has not been completed yet, but will be. So sort of telling that story, how can someone in a you know not that long into the future go have a meal on the Southwaterfront at the you know new Pedbridge site, walk across to the kneeling greenway, go through an improved Maplehurst area, um, onto World's Fair Park in McClung.

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