East Knoxville streets to close as stadium construction moves to next stage
August 4, 2022

KNOXVILLE -- Motorists, anticipate the closure of a rectangle of East Knoxville streets as the next phase of construction gets underway for a new publicly-owned multi-use stadium.

Three months ago, portions of three streets, Jackson and Willow avenues and Georgia Street, were closed to accommodate initial utility work – the relocation of water and sanitary sewer lines.

That initial work has concluded, and now, Denark Construction crews will begin grading of the stadium site, to be followed by additional utility line relocations and upgrades to the electricity, water, gas and sewer system infrastructures.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 8, and continuing through spring 2025, these streets that enclose a rectangle-shaped site where the stadium will be built will be closed:

• East Jackson Avenue, between Patton Street (and the Hall of Fame Drive overpass) to Florida and Randolph streets
• Florida Street, between Jackson and Willow Avenue
• Willow Avenue, between Florida Street and the Hall of Fame overpass
• Patton Street, between Willow and Jackson

The sidewalks along these streets also will be closed.

The grading and utility work is expected to continue through December. Then in 2023, construction of the stadium itself will begin.

The stadium – supported by a $13.5 million state economic development grant and a roughly $1 million annual lease paid by the Tennessee Smokies – is scheduled to open in time for the 2025 baseball season, though the stadium may possibly be ready in 2024 to host concerts, festivals or other public events.

The total economic impact of the publicly-owned stadium and surrounding private development in East Knoxville is projected to be nearly $480 million over 30 years. More than 400 full-time jobs are expected to be created.

For more information, visit www.knoxsportsauthority.com or www.knoxvilletn.gov/stadium.