December 7th Update

CAMA hosts local historian Jack Neely at the KMA

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Knoxville Museum of Art to enjoy Jack Neely's presentation of Cumberland Avenue history on Wednesday, December 5th.  There were about 55 people in the audience and several members brought their own stories to share about Cumberland. 

CAMA members welcomed attendees and provided information about the organization

Jack Neely presents stories and history of Cumberland Avenue, KMA, Wednesday, December 5th

Refreshments were provided by Copper Cellar, Krispy Kreme, Sunspot and University Liquors - THANK YOU!

Folks enjoyed sharing their memories of Cumberland Avenue

After Jack Neely's talk, members of CAMA gathered for their first annual Holiday Party at the LiterBoard. Many thanks to Lysette Aviles of L7 Vapors for coordinating and setting up a great gathering and many thanks to Thomas Clinton for providing live music and sharing his incredible talent! 

The next Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association is scheduled for January 9th, at 3:00 PM at Copper Cellar. Please make plans to attend and find out what's coming up for CAMA in the new year!

Also keep in mind these exciting Community Events:

Today – Sunday January 6, 2019
Holidays on Ice Presented by Home Federal Bank
Market Square
Monday- Thursday: 4:00pm-9:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:00am-10:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm-9:00pm
Enjoy skating under the stars and twinkling lights while listening to music every night. There may even be a panda sighting by our Holidays on Ice Mascot, 'Peppermint Panda'! www.knoxvillesholidaysonice.com

Today – Sunday January 6, 2018
Peppermint Trail
Downtown Knoxville
Downtown restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, bars, and boutiques feature peppermint specials throughout the season including peppermint coffees, desserts, cocktails, cookie decorating, cocktail classes, camps for kids, glass blowing...peppermint, peppermint, peppermint. https://www.downtownknoxville.org/holiday/peppermint/

Today – Sunday January 6, 2018
The Elf on the Shelf ® Adventure
Downtown Knoxville
Join us for a fun-filled holiday scavenger hunt and search for Santa’s magical helpers in Downtown Knoxville. Scout Elves will be sent from the North Pole by Santa to more than two dozen Knoxville businesses.
https://www.downtownknoxville.org/holiday/elf/

Today – Sunday January 6, 2018
Peppermint Window Wonderland
Downtown Knoxville
Downtown Knoxville transforms into a Peppermint Trail with windows of restaurants and merchants decorated with a peppermint theme.
https://www.downtownknoxville.org/holiday/windows/

Friday December 7, 2018
The King and I
Tennessee Theatre
8:00pm
https://www.tennesseetheatre.com/event/708186/rodgers-hammersteins-the-king-and-i/

Friday December 7, 2018
WIVK Christmas Parade
Gay Street
7:00pm – 8:00pm
Join us for everyone's favorite parade, the WIVK Christmas Parade. Bands, dancers, lighted floats, characters and Santa Claus parade down Gay Street and brings fun holiday spirit to all!

Friday December 7, 2018
First Friday ArtWalk
Downtown Knoxville
5:00pm
Explore galleries, studios, and artist collectives; roam through shops hosting open houses and local artist exhibits; enjoy performance art and live music in the streets and a variety of venues; drop in restaurants along the way and treat yourself to drinks and great food. https://www.downtownknoxville.org/artwalk/

Saturday December 8, 2018
Market Square Holiday Market
Market Square, Union Ave, Market St
11:00am-5:00pm
The Market Square Holiday Market is held on Market Square, Union Ave, and Market St on the December Saturdays before Christmas each year. From 11:00am-5:00pm, artisans, food producers, food trucks, and farmers fill downtown with their wares, perfect for holiday gift giving. Find farm-grown greenery for decorating, hand-crafted gifts, and hot beverages to keep you warm while you shop! A small farmers market is held on Market Square from 11:00am-2:00pm featuring locally grown produce, meat, eggs, honey, plants, and more.

Saturday December 8, 2018
A Safety City Christmas
Safety City, 165 S Concord St, Knoxville, TN 37919
5:30pm-8:30pm
The Knoxville Police Department’s Safety City is ringing in the Christmas season with its first “A Safety City Christmas”.  Families will be able to walk through the miniature city enjoying the decorated buildings.  Children will have a blast playing games, making crafts, and rocking out to some wonderful holiday music.  We have even gotten word that Santa will make a special appearance.  This event is free to the public.

Saturday December 8, 2018
The King and I
Tennessee Theatre
2:00pm & 8:00pm
https://www.tennesseetheatre.com/event/708186/rodgers-hammersteins-the-king-and-i/

Saturday December 8, 2018
Jingle Bell Run
World’s Fair Park
9:00am – 11:00am
Festive holiday 5K run benefitting the Arthritis Foundation

Saturday December 8, 2018
Christmas Open House
James White’s Fort
11:00am-3:00pm
The sight, sound and smells of an Old Fashioned Christmas, period decorations of fruit and greenery: Self guided tours of buildings. Free admission.

Saturday December 8, 2018
Free pictures with Santa
Market Square
6:00pm
Free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Saturday December 8, 2018
Old City Market
Jackson Ave between State & Central
11:00am – 4:00pm
A market focusing on crafts, art and locally made goods.

Saturday December 8 – Monday December 10, 2018
The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville
Knoxville Civic Coliseum
Saturday: 3:30pm
Sunday: 3:30pm
Monday: 7:00pm
Free admission, http://www.knoxvillenativity.com/

Sunday December 9, 2018
Hot Cocoa 5K Run
Victor Ashe Park
8:30am – 12:00pm
Charity 5K race to raise funds for a physical therapy clinic in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Sunday December 9, 2018
Tuba Christmas
Market Square Stage
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Holiday music performed on dozens of tubas and euphoniums!

Sunday December 9, 2018
The King and I
Tennessee Theatre
1:30pm & 7:00pm
https://www.tennesseetheatre.com/event/708186/rodgers-hammersteins-the-king-and-i/

November 16th Update

Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association (CAMA) is preparing for a great start to the holiday season! 

What: A special afternoon with Jack Neely
Date: Wednesday, December 5th 
When: 3:00PM *this takes the place of the regular CAMA meeting*
Where: Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 Worlds Fair Park Dr, Knoxville
Who: Cumberland Avenue Merchants are hosting this event open to the public. Come learn more about this unique place!

Following this special event CAMA members will be celebrating their first Annual Holiday gathering at Liter Board.  

What: Holiday Party with live music!
Date: Wednesday, December 5th 
When: 4:30 - 6:30 PM
Where: Liter Board, 1848 Cumberland Avenue
Who: Members of CAMA and future members - come get to know your neighbors and join this exciting organization

November 7th Update

Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association (CAMA) - Monthly Meeting

Date: Wednesday, November 7 (TODAY!)

Time: 3:00 - 4:00 pm 

Location: Copper Cellar, 1807 Cumberland Avenue

What: The merchants and other interested stakeholders meet to discuss items of interest or concern and ways to promote and market this district.

There will also be discussion of upcoming events and opportunities for business participation. A special event is planned for December - come find out more!

Parking: Available parking is located at Copper Cellar. 

Hope to see you there. Bring a neighbor or a friend! 

CUMBERLAND, OLD CITY PROJECTS WIN STATE ENGINEERING AWARDS

The Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project and the Old City Streetscapes Project along Jackson Avenue were selected as statewide winners at American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) Engineering Excellence Awards and 50th Anniversary Gala in Nashville on Friday, Oct. 26.

The Tennessee Chapter of ACEC received 32 applications for awards in a variety of categories, and those applications were judged by a panel of 19 council members.

The Cumberland Avenue project and consulting team Vaughn & Melton Consulting Engineers Inc. received the “Grand Award” for Special Projects; Large Jurisdiction. And the Old City Streetscapes project and CDM Smith received the “Grand Award” for Surveying and Mapping Technology.

 

“These projects represent fantastic teamwork across multiple City departments, consultants, contractors and the community,” said Mayor Madeline Rogero. “The collaborations and resulting improvements are something we can all celebrate.”

These and additional winning projects are now eligible for consideration for national awards to be handed out at the ACEC National Convention, May 5-18, 2019, in Washington, D.C.

Pop Up Prize Zone at the UTK 2018 Homecoming Parade - a Sweet Event

A lot of fun was had by Cumberland Avenue Merchants and visitors to the Pop Up Prize Zone on Cumberland during the November 2, Homecoming Parade. 

Thanks to all the Merchants who provided donations, gift cards, coupons, and swag to make this a great event. The donations were given by more than a dozen merchants and  well exceeded $1500.00 in value. THANK YOU! 

This year's Parade theme was "Sweet as Soda Pop" and lots of parade attendees found out just how sweet Cumberland Merchants are! Below are some pictures of the fun.

October 26th Update - Homecoming 2018

Come Connect at Cumberland Avenue for Homecoming 2018

October 28 - November 3

The University of Tennessee's 102 Homecoming is next week and the Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association (CAMA) and the City of Knoxville have been working in partnership for some fun and volunteer filled activities. This year's theme is "Sweet As Soda Pop" taken of course from "Rocky Top" by the Osborne Brothers! 

There are two great opportunities for the whole Community to enjoy this special time of year!

Thursday, November 1 starting at 2 PM, The Cumberland Avenue Day of Service is a partnership between UTK, CAMA, and Keep Knoxville Beautiful (KKB) to have a Cumberland Avenue Cleanup event. #CAMA Cares – this is a follow up event to the Cleanup held in May where more than forty people participated! The event will start at the Baker Center Courtyard where volunteers - including Alumni, students, prospective students, merchants, and community members - will get safety vests, gloves, garbage grabbers and bags to make sure Cumberland looks great for Homecoming. Stay for the after party with food, prizes and fun at the Baker Center!

Be sure to sign up for this event so KKB can bring enough supplies! 
Business and Community members sign up with Volunteer East Tennessee, here.
UT Affiliation sign up here.

Friday, November 2 the Homecoming Parade steps off at 4:00PM from Circle Park, down Volunteer Boulevard to Cumberland Avenue, exiting at 18th Street! This year’s parade is another collaboration with UTK, CAMA and the City of Knoxville.

Knoxville Police Department and Public Service will close Cumberland to through traffic between 19th Street and James Agee starting at 3:30PM and lasting until 5:00PM.

In conjunction with the Parade, CAMA will be hosting the Pop Up Prize Zone in the parade route along Cumberland from Volunteer Blvd. to 18th Street. CAMA members have volunteered to collect and hand out more than $1,500.00 worth of prizes to Parade Attendees selected at random. Merchants have volunteered coupons, gift cards, t-shirts, and other swag from their businesses. You could be a lucky winner just by showing up to enjoy the parade!

For more on all the activities visit UT's Homecoming website. 

UT takes on the 49ers of Charlotte in the Homecoming matchup on November 3, 2018! Kickoff time is at 4:00 PM. GO VOLS!!!

As always, thanks for your interest in Cumberland Avenue - have a safe and fun filled weekend! 

September 28 Update

CUMBERLAND AVENUE CORRIDOR PROJECT RECEIVES STATE AWARD

The City of Knoxville’s Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project was named a state award recipient by the Tennessee Chapter of the American Planning Association at the organization’s annual conference held in Kingsport, Tenn. on Thursday.

The $25 million project sought to improve safety for all users, increase economic investments, and provide vibrancy along Cumberland Avenue from Alcoa Highway to 16th Street. A road diet including medians, designated turning lanes, wider sidewalks, a furnishing zone and stamped asphalt crosswalks were used to improve vehicle and pedestrian safety.

Knoxville Police Department records show that the project’s improvements to Cumberland Avenue have yielded an estimated 40% reduction in vehicle collisions along the half-mile corridor.

Prior to the project, vehicular and pedestrian/bicycle accidents averaged six to seven accidents annually; the most crashes per mile of any corridor in the City. Since the project’s completion, there have been no reported vehicular accidents with pedestrians/bicycles. The Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization reported this significant outcome in July with the release of their interactive crash maps.

Finished on time and under budget, the Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project has led to approximately $190 million private investment in six private developments, which also brought approximately 1,400 new residents to the corridor.

The public investment of $25 million was a combination of Surface Transportation Program funds from the Federal Highway Administration, managed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and a match from the City of Knoxville. Knoxville Utilities Board also invested in the replacement of underground utilities; which included new gas, water and sewer lines along the corridor.

In addition to changes to traffic flow, safety improvements, and economic development opportunities, major environmental improvements were implemented.

A new storm water quality device now collects and filters storm water runoff from Fort Sanders and removes litter before it enters the Third Creek watershed, which feeds to the Tennessee River. Over 90 street trees were planted and serve as natural storm water filters and will soon provide enough shade to help reduce the heat island effect along the street. In addition, new City-provided trash and recycling containers along Cumberland Avenue are receiving approximately 3,000 pounds of trash and 1,100 pounds of recyclables weekly.

The state award announced Thursday fell under the “Outstanding Project/Program/Tool” category. By winning at the state level, the Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project will also be submitted for consideration of a national American Planning Association award.

“This project represents incredible team work across multiple City Departments, our local, state and federal partners, consultants, contractors, merchants and the community,” said Anne Wallace, project manager and Deputy Director of the City’s Office of Redevelopment. “Given the time, talent and efforts invested in this project, this award is a collaborative honor shared by all involved.”

For more information on the Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project, visit www.CumberlandConnect.com and for more information about the award, visit www.tnapa.org.

Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association (CAMA) - Monthly Meeting

Date: Wednesday, October 3

Time: 3:00 - 4:00 pm 

Location: Copper Cellar, 1807 Cumberland Avenue

What: The merchants and other interested stakeholders meet to discuss items of interest or concern and ways to promote and market this district.

There will also be discussion of upcoming events and opportunities for business participation. 

Parking: Available parking is located at Copper Cellar. 

Hope to see you there. Bring a neighbor or a friend! 

September 21st Update

MEDIA ADVISORY - Cumberland Avenue Sidewalk

What:  Temporary closure of one block of Cumberland Avenue sidewalk

When:  Monday, Sept. 24, through Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018

Where:  60 feet of the south sidewalk between 1830 and 1836 Cumberland Ave.

Who: Collegiate Development Group, with City of Knoxville approval


While the University of Tennessee football team is playing a stretch of away games, the Collegiate Development Group will be making adjustments to a section of sidewalk in the 1800 block of Cumberland Avenue.

A 60-foot stretch of sidewalk will be closed between 18th and 19th streets on the south side of Cumberland Avenue (next to the eastbound traffic lane).

Signs will direct pedestrians around the construction area. Private contractor crews are finishing infrastructure work associated with the TENN student housing and commercial development.

Temporary lane closures may occur during this time due to construction needs.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Tim VanMatre, Collegiate Development Group, tvanmatre@collegiatedevelopment.com, office, 314.721.5559 x1000.

September 7th Update...It's Football Time in Tennessee!

RIDE KAT TO UT FOOTBALL GAMES; PARKING

ALSO AVAILABLE AT CITY-OWNED GARAGES

In order to make the first home University of Tennessee football game as stress-free as possible, the City of Knoxville is offering some highlights and tips to help Vol fans navigate transportation and parking.

Street parking is severely limited near Neyland Stadium. Game attendees are encouraged to explore taking a Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) regular bus, which drops passengers two blocks away from the stadium gates. There are also more than 6,000 parking spaces at City-owned downtown garages, some directly serviced by KAT’s special football game shuttles.

The Sept. 8 home opener against East Tennessee State University will kick off at 4 p.m. Check out the University of Tennessee’s game day parking and traffic website for updated information.

“We encourage everyone to have a fun and safe day at the game by planning parking in advance and arriving early to avoid peak traffic times,” said Lt. Brian Evans, Traffic Services Coordinator for the Knoxville Police Department.

  

Getting to the game by bus

Want to avoid the cost of paying to park? KAT fixed-route buses can save you time and effort, in addition to cash.

KAT offers Passenger Playbook guides to assist riders in reaching Cumberland Avenue, just two blocks from Neyland Stadium. A day pass costs $4, or $2 for seniors 65 and older, persons with disabilities, and students age 18 and under with proper ID. 

Day passes and wristbands are available at the Knoxville Transit Station, 301 Church Ave., starting a week before game day. 

For additional information, visit www.katbus.com or call 865-637-3000. Use #KATGoesThere for game day updates.

Garage parking

All City-owned garages are open on game day. The Main Street, City County Building and Locust Street garages charge $20 to park; the fee at Knox County’s Dwight Kessel Garage is $15, and the City-owned Civic Coliseum Garage and Blackstock Avenue lot are $10 each.

The State Street and Market Square garages are free on game days, since they service other parkers – Farmers’ Market shoppers, for example, or people attending a movie at the Regal Riviera downtown.

Park and ride

KAT offers a football shuttle service, available for $10 round trip from the Old City, Civic Coliseum or Market Square; parking fees may apply, depending on where you park to catch the shuttle. 

An additional option in West Knoxville is to park and ride a shuttle from Farragut High School. Parking is free, and you can make the entire round trip for $20. Shuttles begin three hours before kickoff and leave approximately every 20 minutes. The final trip departs from Farragut High School one hour before kickoff. Wristbands are available at Farragut High School beginning three hours before kickoff. Return service starts at the beginning of 4th quarter and continues for approximately one hour after the game. 

Street parking

The City two years ago installed more than 1,000 new parking meters throughout downtown and in parts of the UT/Fort Sanders area. They accept payment by credit card as well as coins. Please be aware that meters and allowed times vary, but daytime payment is required on Saturdays for on-street parking.

On the UT campus, Volunteer Boulevard’s 10-hour meters on home-game football Saturdays will be charging a $25 flat fee beginning with the Sept. 8 home opener.

All City of Knoxville parking revenues are used to support parking and infrastructure improvements in the downtown and UT areas.

To further study your parking options for UT games, visit http://knoxparking.com/.

  

Traffic plans

            Get details on pre- and post-game traffic flow plans, including detours and street closures designed to move large numbers of motorists more efficiently, by visiting www.knoxvilletn.gov/gameday.

            Remember: Due to safety concerns and the heavy volume of traffic, there are no left turns allowed on Cumberland Avenue before, during or after the game.

            To access restaurants or businesses on the north side of Cumberland Avenue, take southbound 17th Street to Cumberland Avenue; turn right onto Cumberland, then access the businesses by turning right into their parking areas.

To reach destinations on the south side of Cumberland, take Neyland Drive to Joe Johnson Drive; turn left onto West Volunteer Boulevard; turn right onto Cumberland. Or: Take Alcoa Highway and the Kingston Pike exit; turn onto Cumberland; turn right into the business. An area wide parking map is available at this link.