City completes Magnolia Avenue streetscape upgrades

KNOXVILLE - The carpet of yellow flowers is in full bloom, and the tulip poplar, overcup oak and Princeton elm trees have leafed out. The stamped crosswalks are open. The smooth wide sidewalks beckon.

	Magnolia Avenue streetscape; image courtesy of City of Knoxville

Crews have officially completed the $7 million Magnolia Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project. All that’s left to be done are a few finishing details, like installing KAT bus stop shelters and Knoxville History Project art wraps on utility boxes.

“Magnolia Avenue is a beautiful corridor,” Mayor Indya Kincannon said. “The streetscape improvements started under former Mayor Madeline Rogero will make it safer for everyone – motorists, transit riders, pedestrians and bicyclists – to enjoy Magnolia.

“But beyond the aesthetics, this is an important City investment. Streetscape improvements help leverage private commercial investment, which creates both jobs and new neighborhood amenities.”

The fresh-look Magnolia Avenue between Jessamine and North Bertrand streets includes landscaped center medians and left-turn lanes, street trees, wider sidewalks, bike lanes, safer and stamped crosswalks with pedestrian signals, and enhanced transit stops and shelters.

The upgraded multi-modal street improves pedestrian safety at intersection crossings, encourages walkability with wider, tree-lined sidewalks, and makes it easier for people to bike and access transit services along Magnolia Avenue.

Published May 14, 2020