News Summary
St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral has acquired a downtown Knoxville parking lot for $10.65 million from Vector Hospitality Group. This lot, previously intended for a hotel project, has been a crucial need for the growing church community, especially as attendance has increased to around 400 parishioners. Despite challenges in the past regarding urban development, the cathedral aims to maintain the lot as a paid public parking facility and generate revenue while contributing to local community support.
St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral Acquires Downtown Knoxville Parking Lot for $10.65 Million
Knoxville – St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral has made a significant investment in downtown Knoxville by purchasing a parking lot located at Church Avenue and Walnut Street for $10.65 million. The transaction was finalized with Atlanta-based Vector Hospitality Group, Inc., which had previously intended to develop the property into a nine-story Tempo by Hilton hotel.
The hotel project, which included plans for 175 rooms, ground-level retail space, a restaurant, and a 275-space garage, was never constructed despite being submitted to the Design Review Board in 2024. The cathedral’s pastor, Rev. Chris Hackett, confirmed the acquisition during an interview.
Current Operations and Future Management
The parking lot is currently functioning as a paid public parking facility managed by a company named Metropolis. This arrangement is expected to remain unchanged following the sale, ensuring that the parking lot continues to serve the community while generating revenue for the church.
Vector Hospitality Group had acquired the lot earlier in 2023 for $8.4 million from Premier Parking of Knoxville, which underscores the property’s rising market value even amidst the halted hotel development project.
Church Parking Needs and Growth
For over 20 years, St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral has expressed interest in acquiring this parking lot due to increasingly challenging parking conditions caused by the church’s growing congregation. Currently, St. John’s Sunday services attract around 400 parishioners, creating a critical demand for accessible parking not only for church events but also for community gatherings and outreach activities.
Prior to finalizing the purchase, St. John’s explored alternative parking solutions, including collaborative discussions with Vector about shared garage possibilities and valet services aimed at easing parking shortages.
Financial Aspects and Community Support
To finance the acquisition, St. John’s is initiating a capital campaign, which will seek support from both congregation members and the wider community. Although the church includes some wealthier members, the campaign focuses on collective community backing for the purchase. Revenue generated through the lease agreement with Metropolis is anticipated to cover the financial obligations associated with the parking lot acquisition.
The church has also confirmed that the parking lot will remain on local property tax rolls, highlighting its commitment to contributing to the city’s economic landscape.
Community Concerns and Urban Development
This acquisition comes at a time of growing concerns about the prevalence of surface parking lots in downtown areas, where such spaces can take valuable land away from impactful urban development projects. The emergence of other hotel projects, such as a nearby Holiday Inn Express, raises questions about balancing commercial growth with the interests of community organizations like St. John’s.
St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, the oldest Episcopal congregation in East Tennessee, has historically engaged in community outreach since its establishment in 1844. However, the church has faced criticism in the past regarding its property management decisions, most notably for the demolition of historic buildings in 2013. The current decision to acquire the parking lot has reignited debates about the role of churches in urban environments and their influence on city planning.
Future Integration and Accessibility
As community discussions continue regarding inclusivity and accessibility in urban spaces for populations such as the elderly and disabled, there are also opportunities for St. John’s to consider partnerships for future development or multi-use functionality of the newly acquired space.
Rev. Hackett underscored the church’s commitment to reinforcing its foundation in the community, expressing hopes that St. John’s will continue to be a vibrant presence in Knoxville for another 150 years.
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Additional Resources
- WBIR News
- Inside of Knoxville
- Caller Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Church Parking Needs
- The Oklahoman
