KNOXVILLE - Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon joined Old Sevier Merchants Association business owners Thursday evening, heard their ideas and shared updates on several key projects.

	Gay Street Bridge after renovations Top Left: Knoxville Mayor Kincannon meets wtih Old Sevier Merchants Association Bottom Left: New parking lot on Island Home Avenue

One big announcement: The City remains on track to complete the Sevier Avenue Streetscape Project in roughly a year. By early 2027, utilities will have been upgraded and relocated below ground, wide new ADA-compliant sidewalks will have been constructed, and a new roundabout at the intersection of Sevier Avenue, Foggy Bottom Street and Island Home Avenue will be built and open.

Throughout January, crews will be continuing work on stormwater drainage and a box culvert for the roundabout, while utility crews continue to install conduit.



Updates on other projects and events:

Gay Street Bridge Fun Walk, Run or Bike celebration

Exactly one month after the bridge reopened – on time and within budget – a celebratory Knoxville Track Club “crossing” involving runners, bicyclists and pedestrians will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16.

The best part is that Sevier Avenue business owners will be offering promotions, specials and discounts to participants. (Check City social media next week for a list of participating businesses and their promotions.) The Fun Run event features a rolling start from Hill Avenue and Gay Street, with waves of no more than 50 people crossing the bridge at the same time. The event finishes on Sevier Avenue at Davenport Road, with snacks, music and photo opportunities at the finish line. Free shuttles will be available to transport participants back to the start line from 7-8 p.m..


Parking

A newly updated 72-vehicle parking lot is now open on Island Home Avenue, beneath the James White Parkway. It’s just 1/3 of a mile from the heart of the Sevier Avenue business district.

New lighting and a crosswalk are coming soon. In the very near future: Visitors and customers of Sevier Avenue businesses will enjoy an easy 5- to 10-minute walk from this lot to get to their favorite business, brewery, coffeehouse or restaurant.

This month, crews will be marking a pedestrian path from the parking lot that skirts the roundabout construction area. And once the roundabout is completed within the next year, the permanent sidewalk between the parking lot and the commercial district will be a straight, direct, easy path.

Did you know there are more than 600 public parking spaces near the Sevier Avenue corridor?

More than 200 spaces can be found by Suttree Landing Park and nearby on-street parking. And more than 300 public spaces are available in the Regal parking garage on weekends and weekdays after 6 p.m..

Visit www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/SevierAvenue to find a map showing parking options.


G&O Rail to Trail

This winter, Gulf & Ohio Railways is anticipating the start of taking up the rails and timbers along its 3.8-mile line from Chapman Highway to Ijams Nature Center. This rail-to-trail greenway – which will run parallel closely to Sevier Avenue – will feature a 1.5-mile Art Walk being created by Legacy Parks Foundation with funding support from the Lawson Family Foundation.

Once the rails are removed, City crews will build a soft surface trail.