Monday, September 27, 2010

September 27th Update

Henley Street Bridge Information - TDOT Update

The City of Knoxville will host an informational meeting on the upcoming closure and reconstruction of the Henley Street Bridge from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, September 28 in the City County Building's Large Assembly Room.

Representatives from the Tennessee Department of Transportation will be on hand to discuss some of the details of the project which is slated to begin in early 2011.

TDOT will close the 80-year-old bridge for up to 36 months while the structure is dismantled, down to the arches, and rebuilt. The plans include expanding the deck from the current five-lane configuration to its maximum width of six lanes while keeping the sidewalks at their current width.

TDOT has agreed to the City of Knoxville's request to utilize the sixth lane for bicycle traffic.

During the September 28, meeting TDOT officials will describe steps being taken to reroute traffic via James White Parkway, the South Knoxville Bridge and Moody Avenue. Chapman Highway, between the Tennessee River and Moody Avenue, will remain open for traffic during the closure period.

For more information about the project, please click here.

Friday, September 24, 2010

September 24th Update

Greetings everyone!

Ft. Sanders Neighborhood Update

The City's Codes Enforcement Department will be conducting a neighborhood sweep from 17th Street east to 11th Street on Wednesday, September 29th to identify violations and notify residents of those issues. This has been a successful program in the Park Ridge and West View neighborhoods within the last year. The purpose of the sweep is to identify code violations and educate both property owners and renters of their responsibilities.
The eastern section of the neighborhood was chosen because it is experiencing the most code problems. The day of the sweep all of the codes enforcement officers will walk through the neighborhood and will note any violations. The western portion of the neighborhood will be eligible for a code sweep at a future date and time.

This is an outside walk through; code enforcement officers will not enter a structure without a request or complaint filed. The majority of violations in the area typically deal with trash, trash can placement and alleyways. Additionally, a pamphlet will be left at every house with or without a violation noted in order to educate tenants to their responsibilities. If a violation is noted the codes enforcement officers will follow up in two weeks to check the status and then
proceed to more traditional means of enforcement if violation is not cleared up. Any questions on this effort can be directed to the city’s one call number, 311.

Staff Update
City staff had the opportunity to tour Ayers Hall on the Hill at UT and see the recent renovations to this historic 1920's structure.

The entry into Ayers Hall
Hand painted details on the stucco

The courtyard on the northside of the building, complete with a "T" shaped bench



A view of the south lawn looking towards the Tennessee River and Neyland Stadium

An example of the fine wood work and detailed finishesFinally, an image of the the lights and grand staircase!

These are just a few images of a great space that we very much enjoyed seeing. Thanks to Jeff Maples and Dan Smith for the tour and for the attention to detail on this campus jem.

Weekend Opportunities

Movies on Market Square, tonight 8:00 pm, the feature "Cats & Dogs", free.
Saturday the UT Volunteers take on the UAB Blazers at 12:21pm. Be sure to stop by and support our Cumberland Avenue Merchants and Go Vols!

Monday, September 20, 2010

September 20th Update

KUB Update

From: KUB Community Relations (Contact No. 594-7988)

Re: Traffic Advisory – Road closures for utility construction (weather permitting)

Twenty-first Street Road Closure (Sept. 21-23) – KUB contractor crews will close a section of Twenty-first Street between Lake Avenue and Cumberland Avenue daily from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., as wastewater system improvements are completed.

Twenty-second Street Road Closure (Sept. 22-24) – KUB contractor crews will close a section of Twenty-second Street between Lake Avenue and Terrace Avenue daily from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., as wastewater system improvements are completed.

Some listed closures may extend beyond the scheduled times depending on the conditions encountered during excavation and construction. Appropriate traffic control measures will be in place at each location to assist motorists traveling in these areas. Due to the ongoing presence of workers and equipment, motorists are advised to use caution and expect temporary delays in these areas.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

September 15th Update

Ft. Sanders Stakeholder Meeting Minutes
Additional information and corrections to the minutes of the September 2nd Fort Sanders Quarterly Stakeholder meeting have been provided to City Staff. The minutes have been updated and the changes have been highlighted within the document. If there are any additional comments or corrections, please contact me at awallace@cityofknoxville.org by close of business on Friday, September 17th. Thanks so much!


KUB Update

From: KUB Community Relations (Contact No. 594-7988)

Re: Traffic Advisory – Lane closure for utility construction (weather permitting)

Dale Avenue Lane Closure – Beginning Tuesday, September 14, and lasting through early October, Knoxville Utilities Board and its contractor will close the curbside right turn lane on a section of Dale Avenue at the N. Seventeenth Street intersection daily from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. as part of construction activities at the new electric substation located at 410 Dale
Avenue.

This lane closure will be in effect daily to facilitate safe traffic flow for trucks and heavy equipment moving in and out of the work site. Access to N. Seventeenth Street will not be affected as both the left turn lane and center thru/right turn lane on Dale Avenue will remain open during this period. The curbside right turn lane will also be reopened to traffic
during overnght hours and on weekends for the duration of this work.

The new substation at this location will serve as a source of electricity for the growing University of Tennessee campus and improve service and reliability to hospitals, businesses, and residences in the Fort Sanders area. The overall project is scheduled for completion in the summer of
2011, weather permitting.

Some utility-related closures may extend beyond the scheduled times, depending on the conditions encountered during excavation and construction. Appropriate traffic control measures will be in place at this location to assist motorists traveling in the area. Due to the ongoing presence of workers and equipment, motorists are advised to use extreme caution and expect temporary delays in this area.

Cumberland Avenue Lane Closure – KUB will close the curbside eastbound lane on a section of Cumberland Avenue between Seventeenth Street and Eighteenth Street from 2 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, as water system upgrades are completed. Traffic flow will be maintained during this period as one eastbound and both westbound lanes will remain open on this section of Cumberland Avenue.

Friday, September 10, 2010

September 10th Update

Greetings everyone!

As promised last week, the minutes from the September 2nd Ft. Sanders Quarterly Stakeholder meeting are now posted in the Links section of this page. If you have any questions, comments or changes regarding the minutes, please let me know directly at awallace@cityofknoxville.org. Additionally, last week's post originally stated the next meeting for Ft. Sanders Stakeholders was to take place on October 29th - that is incorrect and has been changed - the correct date is Thursday, October 21st at 4:30 pm, location to be determined and published closer to date. The purpose of this meeting will be to review the revised draft of the neighborhood plan. A copy of the revised plan will be posted on this site prior to the meeting. Thanks again to everyone who attended for their time and input.

Weekend Opportunities
Tonight starts two fun events: 1) Movies on Market Square - Fridays, 8-10, tonight's movie is Iron Man; 2) The Tennessee Valley Fair - September 10-19th, tonight's main event, the tractor pull at 7:00.

Saturday is the second home game for UT; they play the University of Oregon Ducks at 7:00pm. Go Vols and be sure to support our Cumberland Avenue Merchants before and after the game!

There will also be a community remembrance of those lost in the 9-11-01 attacks. The service will be held on the City County Building Lawn at 8:45 a.m., Saturday, September, 11th. We will never forget.

Thanks for your continued interest; have a fun and safe weekend!

Friday, September 3, 2010

September 3rd Update

Greetings!

CAMA Update
On Wednesday, September 1st the Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association (CAMA) held their regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 3:00pm in the Old College Inn Restaurant. Several businesses were represented as well as KPD, the Metropolitan Drug Commission, UT Athletic Department, UT Safety, Environment & Education Center and City staff. City staff provided an update on the Cumberland Ave. Streetscape Plan and the Form Based Code. Additionally, City staff announced the Ft. Sanders Stakeholder meeting and the merchants elected a representative to attend that meeting.

Also at this meeting, UT Federal Credit Union announced that free parking is available to the Public at the Credit Union, 2100 White Avenue, weekdays after 6:00pm, and weekends except for game days. This is a generous offer which will support businesses during evening and weekend hours! This is a trial run, so please make sure to use the lot with respect.

Ft. Sanders Stakeholders Quarterly Meeting Update
Thanks to everyone who attended yesterday's stakeholders meeting; there was great attendance. The meeting minutes are being compiled and will be posted sometime next week. The agenda of the meeting included a welcome and introductions; Ft. Sanders codes sweep and educational opportunity; long range planning implementation strategy discussion; stakeholder updates and future meeting time.

A quick explanation of the codes sweep and educational opportunity - the City's Codes Enforcement Department will be conducting a neighborhood sweep from 17th Street east to 11th Street on September 29th to identify violations and notify residents of those issues. This has been a successful program in the Park Ridge and West View neighborhoods within the last year. More information will be posted about this in the minutes of the meeting and in future blog posts.

Also there was a lengthy discussion regarding the Ft. Sanders Long Range Plan and we are please to announce a consenus has been reached regarding the plan. A new draft reflecting the agreement of stakeholders will be distributed in the next few weeks. Also the next Ft. Sanders Stakeholder meeting will be to review this draft and is scheduled for Thursday, October 21th at 4:30 pm, location will be announced closer to date. Thanks to everyone for providing their thoughts on this plan!

KUB Updates
From: KUB Community Relations (Contact No. 594-7988)
Re: Traffic Advisory – Road Closures for Utility Construction

Lake Avenue Road Closure [September 7-9] – Beginning on Tuesday, September 7, and lasting through Thursday, September 9, KUB and its contractor will close a section of Lake Avenue between Melrose Place and Eighteenth Street to thru traffic daily from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. in association with ongoing sewer system upgrades in the area. Crews will not work and the road
closure will not be in effect on Monday, September 6, due to the Labor Day holiday.

Some listed closures may extend beyond the scheduled times depending on the conditions encountere during excavation and construction. Appropriate traffic control measures will be in place at each location to assist motorists traveling in these areas. Due to the ongoing presence of workers and equipment, motorists are advised to use extreme caution and expect temporary delays in these areas.

Weekend Opportunities
Tonight is First Friday Downtown from 5:00-9:00 pm, there are several galleries and shops that will be open this evening with special exhibits, check it out! Don't forget there is free parking at the Locust Street, State Street and Market Square garages and the Old City lot under James White Parkway.

The University of Tennessee's season opener is on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. Be sure to stop in and support our Cumberland Avenue Merchants. If you're interested in informaiton related to downtown parking for football games please visit here. Go Vols!

Finally, the 23rd Anniversary Boomsday Celebration will be Sunday, September 5th for more information regarding parking, what to bring and not to bring, boating, and road closures, please visit the city's website, here.

Thanks for your continued interest. Please have a safe and fun holiday weekend!