Categories: CommunityEvents/What's HappeningNews

Knoxville Engages Citizens for Federal Funding Input

Concept art of a pedestrian bridge connecting areas of Knoxville.

News Summary

Knoxville is inviting residents to share their insights on how to allocate federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A public meeting is scheduled for January 28. Additionally, a new pedestrian bridge project linking South Knoxville to the University of Tennessee campus is underway, funded by a $24.7 million RAISE grant. The project aims to improve connectivity and community life, although some residents express concerns about gentrification and increased traffic.

Knoxville Seeks Your Input for Federal Funding and Unveils New Pedestrian Bridge Project

If you’re a resident of Knoxville, here’s something you definitely want to tune into! The city is reaching out to locals for their thoughts on how to allocate federal funding in the next five years. The federal bucks come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant. It’s an opportunity for you to make your voice heard on what’s important for our community.

Knoxville is gearing up to create a Five-Year Consolidated Plan that will lay out exactly how these federal funds will be spent. So far, over 600 residents have joined in on the conversation, sharing their insights on community priorities. The city’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Director is all in when it comes to community feedback, emphasizing that it’s an essential part of their decision-making process.

Mark your calendars! A public meeting is set to take place on January 28 at 6:00 p.m. at the Public Works Service Center, located at 3131 Morris Avenue. If you can’t make it to the meeting in person, don’t fret! You can still share your input via email or mail it directly to Linda Rust at the Knoxville Housing and Neighborhood Development Department. Every bit of feedback matters!

Exciting Times Ahead: The Pedestrian Bridge Project

pedestrian bridge will soon span the Tennessee River, linking South Knoxville to the University of Tennessee campus and downtown. This bridge is a big deal for locals, making it easier to travel by foot or bike and enjoy the best of what the area has to offer. $24.7 million RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help bring this bridge to life. This is Knoxville’s third go-round in trying to secure federal funding for this project, and it seems the hard work is finally paying off. The total estimated cost of the pedestrian bridge project is approximately $60 million. The funding will include that generous grant, along with $20 million from the state, and an additional $15 million that is expected to come from new development and taxes generated from the south waterfront area.

The south waterfront improvement plan covers nearly 750 acres along three miles of the Tennessee River, located just south of downtown and the university. This pedestrian bridge will stretch from Clancy Avenue on the south side, up to a pedestrian concourse on the north, which is positioned between Food City Center and Pratt Pavilion. It’s quite the ambitious and forward-thinking plan!

Community Perspectives: A Mix of Opinions

South Knoxville. Residents are voicing concerns about potential increases in traffic and how this development could lead to gentrification, possibly changing the character of their neighborhoods.