Knoxville TN, August 16, 2025
News Summary
The Knoxville City Council has awarded a $112,500 contract to Cannon & Cannon Inc. for an environmental assessment of a 23-acre site on Cherokee Park Drive. The assessment includes Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, exploring remediation options and potential site usage alternatives for a property with a history as a water treatment facility. This effort is part of Knoxville’s initiatives under the Brownfield Redevelopment Area Fund to revitalize underutilized and potentially contaminated land.
Knoxville has recently awarded a significant contract worth $112,500 to Cannon & Cannon Inc., an employee-owned engineering firm based in the city. This contract is dedicated to conducting an environmental assessment of a 23-acre site located at the end of Cherokee Park Drive, a property currently owned by the city.
The Knoxville City Council approved the environmental assessment contract during a regular meeting held on Thursday night. The contract entails both Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments. In addition to these assessments, the project will evaluate brownfield remediation options as well as possible site-usage alternatives for the Cherokee Park Drive property.
This property is notable as it contains a run-down building that was once a water treatment facility for the American Bemberg Corporation’s rayon plant. The Bemberg plant itself was constructed in 1925 and commenced operations by the fall of 1926. However, the plant no longer operates and has been dormant for several years.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) purchased the property in 2009 with intentions of developing a state-run fish hatchery. Yet, the project was deemed unfeasible due to funding constraints, leading to the property’s return to the city in May 2023.
The Cherokee Park Drive site is strategically located near several key properties, including Valley Forge Wholesale, the Carter County Recycling Center, Riverview Townhomes, and a Lowe’s store. In 2023, Tennessee’s General Assembly authorized the creation of the Brownfield Redevelopment Area Fund, which is intended to support the redevelopment of brownfield sites, properties that are often vacant or underutilized due to potential contamination issues.
Furthermore, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) administers the Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grant (BRAG) program. Knoxville has accepted a non-matching grant totaling $20,000 aimed at identifying eligible properties for remediation within city limits. Additionally, the city also accepted a $100,000 non-matching grant contract from TDEC specifically for brownfield assessments, which will cover the costs associated with assessing the Cherokee Park Drive property and its brownfield inventory.
When applying for these grants, priority is given to sites located within a target area that includes former rayon manufacturers, specifically designated as a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. This particular TIF district encompasses 135.3 acres and was established by the city and Carter County in 2018 for further redevelopment.
Since its inception in 1996, the Tennessee Brownfields Redevelopment Program has successfully aided in redeveloping over 1,700 brownfield properties. Notably, the American Bemberg site was proposed to be included on the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List (NPL) in 1997, but it was ultimately removed from consideration in 2000. In contrast, another former rayon plant site, the North American Rayon, suffered a catastrophic fire in February 2000, causing $5 million in damages and destroying a significant portion of the structure. Currently, the North American Rayon property is utilized as a Lowe’s store.
FAQ Section
What is the purpose of the $112,500 contract awarded to Cannon & Cannon Inc.?
The contract is for conducting an environmental assessment of a 23-acre parcel at the end of Cherokee Park Drive owned by the city.
What types of assessments will be performed under this contract?
The contract includes both Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, as well as remediation options and site-usage alternatives.
What is a brownfield site?
A brownfield site refers to properties that are vacant or underutilized due to potential contamination issues.
What is the Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grant (BRAG) program?
TDEC administers the BRAG program, providing funds for the assessment and remediation of brownfield properties in Tennessee.
What is the historical significance of the American Bemberg Corporation’s site?
The site previously housed a rayon plant that operated from 1926 until it was shut down. It has since become a focus for redevelopment efforts.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Contract Value | $112,500 |
| Contractor | Cannon & Cannon Inc. |
| Location | Cherokee Park Drive, Knoxville |
| Site Area | 23 acres |
| Assessment Types | Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grant | $20,000 + $100,000 |
| Established TIF District Size | 135.3 acres |
| Year Established | 1925 |
| Historical Operative until | 2000 |
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Additional Resources
- City Awards Knoxville Firm Brownfield Assessment Contract
- Wikipedia: Brownfield
- South Knoxville Housing Development News Article
- Google Search: South Knoxville Housing Development
- Knoxville Spends Millions to Buy Up and Resell Problem Properties
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Environmental Policy
- Walmart Site at University Commons Sold for $4.56M
- Google Scholar: Brownfield Redevelopment
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.
