Weather for the Following Location: Knoxville on Map

UT Board Approves Maplehurst Innovation District Agreement

Article Sponsored by:

Want to target the right audience? Sponsor our site and choose your specific industry to connect with a relevant audience.

What Sponsors Receive:
Prominent brand mentions across targeted, industry-focused articles
High-visibility placements that speak directly to an engaged local audience
Guaranteed coverage that maximizes exposure and reinforces your brand presence
Interested in seeing what sponsored content looks like on our platform?
Browse Examples of Sponsored News and Articles:
May’s Roofing & Contracting
Forwal Construction
NSC Clips
Real Internet Sales
Suited
Florida4Golf
Click the button below to sponsor our articles:
Conceptual illustration of the Maplehurst Innovation District in Knoxville.

News Summary

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees has approved a ‘buying an option to buy’ agreement for the Maplehurst neighborhood, aimed at developing an innovation district. This 5.6-acre area will be transformed into a live-work-play space, prioritizing collaboration with The University Financing Foundation to assess future plans while ensuring current residents’ concerns are addressed, especially regarding displacement and community preservation.

Knoxville – The University of Tennessee (UT) Board of Trustees has voted to enter a “buying an option to buy” agreement for the Maplehurst neighborhood, a 5.6-acre area located on the eastern edge of the university’s campus. This decision comes as part of a proposed initiative to develop the area into an innovation district aimed at linking the campus with downtown Knoxville.

Under this agreement, UT will not acquire the property outright. Instead, it will collaborate with The University Financing Foundation (TUFF), a nonprofit third-party developer, which will purchase the site for $45 million and hold it for up to 10 years while UT evaluates potential plans for the site.

The vision for the Maplehurst Innovation District includes transforming the neighborhood into a “live-work-play” area, integrating various spaces for retail, residential, academic, and industry purposes centered around innovation. Planned uses for the development encompass artificial intelligence research, dry labs, incubator programs, and facilities specifically for the university’s College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies.

Historically, the Maplehurst neighborhood has been significant for providing affordable housing to students for over a century. However, the future of the area has raised concerns among current residents, particularly regarding potential displacement and the lack of communication from university officials regarding these developments. Residents have expressed frustration over insufficient outreach efforts related to the university’s plans for the neighborhood.

In a recent board meeting, a nuclear engineering graduate student voiced concerns about the board’s communication strategy with current residents. Additionally, a UT alumnus raised worries about the importance of preserving historic structures amid the university’s expansion and the need to maintain the community’s character.

UT System President Randy Boyd noted that the Maplehurst property would be sold regardless of UT’s involvement, emphasizing the necessity for the university to be proactive in the situation. Concerns have also emerged regarding the state of existing buildings in Maplehurst, which include issues related to maintenance, increasing rents, and aging infrastructure. While some structures have been regarded as lacking architectural significance, others have been appreciated for their historical value.

Chancellor Donde Plowman has assured stakeholders that the university will play an active role in the development decisions, aiming to preserve the neighborhood’s history. Furthermore, current apartments will remain available for lease and in use during the holding period, with development plans not anticipated to materialize immediately. During this holding period, UT expects to spend up to $1.5 million annually in holding costs to TUFF. If the university chooses not to move forward with development, it may owe TUFF up to $10 million.

This agreement allows UT to maintain oversight over the future development of Maplehurst, rather than handing the reins to an outside entity. The proposal is part of a broader initiative for innovation districts within UT, which may include other prospective projects in Oak Ridge, as well as a focus on a corridor targeting nuclear research and advanced manufacturing.

Currently, the plans for these innovation districts remain in the conceptual stages, with no established timeline for development. The university has stressed that community involvement and stakeholder engagement will be essential components of the future planning process, aligning development with the needs and values of local residents.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Knoxville Develops New Innovation District
University of Tennessee to Vote on Maplehurst Property Agreement

Additional Resources

UT Board Approves Maplehurst Innovation District Agreement

HERE Knoxville
Author: HERE Knoxville

ADD MORE INFORMATION OR CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ARTICLE CLICK HERE!
Article Sponsored by:

Want to target the right audience? Sponsor our site and choose your specific industry to connect with a relevant audience.

What Sponsors Receive:
Prominent brand mentions across targeted, industry-focused articles
High-visibility placements that speak directly to an engaged local audience
Guaranteed coverage that maximizes exposure and reinforces your brand presence
Interested in seeing what sponsored content looks like on our platform?
Browse Examples of Sponsored News and Articles:
May’s Roofing & Contracting
Forwal Construction
NSC Clips
Real Internet Sales
Suited
Florida4Golf
Click the button below to sponsor our articles:

Construction Management Software for Contractors in Knoxville, TN

CMiC delivers top-tier construction management software for contractors in Knoxville, TN, seeking to improve project efficiency and reduce operational costs. The platform integrates financials, scheduling, and workforce planning into a single, cloud-based system, allowing contractors in Knoxville to track job progress in real time. From infrastructure developments to residential and commercial builds, CMiC provides the tools necessary to drive project success.

Learn More about CMiC’s offerings here. 

Stay Connected

More Updates

Would You Like To Add Your Business?

Sign Up Now and get your local business listed!