Knoxville TN, August 14, 2025
News Summary
The Knoxville City Council is gearing up to vote on a proposal to sell part of Chilhowee Park to the Emerald Youth Foundation, aimed at establishing a sports complex. This development, featuring various sporting amenities, supports youth development initiatives. Additionally, there are plans for the historic Jacob Building, which has sparked controversy among Tennessee Valley Fair officials regarding their inclusion in the lease discussions. Meanwhile, a flash flood watch is still in effect due to recent thunderstorms in the area.
Knoxville is set to sell a portion of Chilhowee Park to the Emerald Youth Foundation for the development of a new sports complex. The Knoxville City Council is scheduled to vote on a purchase and development agreement on August 19, which marks the first major update on this property in over a year. The land in question is located south of the main park, bordered by Magnolia Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
In May 2024, the city invited proposals for the park property, leading to Emerald Youth’s announcement of plans for a comprehensive sports facility. The proposed complex is designed to include multiple sporting amenities such as indoor and outdoor basketball courts, baseball cages, turf fields, a pavilion, meeting rooms, and a fitness and health center. This initiative by the Emerald Youth Foundation aims to contribute to whole-child youth development, modeled after their existing Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex in Lonsdale.
An additional point of interest on the city council’s agenda is the Jacob Building, a landmark structure within Chilhowee Park. Officials are considering a long-term lease of this building to The Muse children’s museum. This proposed development has been met with some controversy, especially from officials with the Tennessee Valley Fair, which has operated at Chilhowee Park since 1916. They reported feeling excluded from discussions regarding the Jacob Building and its future.
The Tennessee Valley Fair has expressed surprise over the decision to potentially lease the Jacob Building to a different organization. Fair representatives have announced that they were not included in the initial talks and noted that their requests for involvement have been consistently overlooked. The city council member for East Knoxville, Amelia Parker, also reported being unaware of this plan and criticized the lack of communication from the city to relevant stakeholders.
Furthermore, a lease agreement from 2024 ensures that the Tennessee Valley Fair will continue to be held at Chilhowee Park until at least 2026. However, this may be revisited for 2027 and beyond. The fair is scheduled to take place from September 5 to 14, 2024, and fair representatives have emphasized the historical value and community significance of the event, urging the city’s recognition of its importance.
In other news, a flash flood warning in Knoxville has recently expired, yet a flash flood watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. on August 13. Thunderstorms in the region have resulted in substantial rainfall, leading to warnings of possible flash flooding, although no roads have officially closed due to flooding incidents. Heavy traffic congestion on Interstate 40 has been reported due to accidents, with authorities advising drivers to exercise caution and consider alternative routes in the presence of standing water. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service continues to monitor flood risks and advises residents to take necessary precautions.
Additionally, while stargazers are preparing for the peak of the Perseids Meteor Shower expected on August 12 and 13, they should be aware that visibility might be impacted by moonlight conditions.
FAQ
- What is the Knoxville City Council planning to vote on?
The council plans to vote on a purchase and development agreement for a portion of Chilhowee Park to be sold to the Emerald Youth Foundation for a sports complex.
- What facilities will be included in the proposed sports complex?
The complex is planned to have indoor and outdoor basketball courts, baseball cages, turf fields, a pavilion, meeting rooms, and a fitness and health center.
- What is the history of the Tennessee Valley Fair?
The fair has been hosted at Chilhowee Park since 1916 and continues to be an important event for the community.
- When is the Tennessee Valley Fair scheduled to take place?
The 105th Tennessee Valley Fair is scheduled for September 5 to 14, 2024.
- What weather conditions are currently affecting Knoxville?
A flash flood watch is in effect due to thunderstorms that have caused heavy rainfall, although no roads have closed from flooding incidents.
Key Features of the Proposed Development
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Chilhowee Park, south of the main property |
| Sports Facilities | Indoor and outdoor basketball courts, baseball cages, turf fields, pavilion, meeting rooms, fitness center |
| Tennessee Valley Fair | Historical event since 1916, held at Chilhowee Park |
| Next Fair Dates | September 5-14, 2024 |
| Flash Flood Status | Flash flood watch in effect until August 13, 2024 |
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Additional Resources
- Knox News: Knoxville May Sell Chilhowee Park Land to Emerald Youth Foundation
- WATE: One Injured After Shooting at Knoxville Apartment Complex
- WBIR: Day 3 of Trinity Clark Drag Race Trial in Knoxville
- Knox News: Knoxville Weather Flash Flood Warning in Effect
- WATE: Meteor Shower to Light Up the Sky in East Tennessee
- Wikipedia: Knoxville
- Google Search: Knoxville News
- Google Scholar: Knoxville Events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Knoxville
- Google News: Knoxville
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
