After evaluating 24 requests for funding of historic preservation projects, the City of Knoxville’s Community Development Department has selected eight for funding. The projects include improvements to properties like the Bijou Theatre, Kern’s Bakery and Park City Church, as well as an ongoing inventory of local historic sites being conducted by the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC).
Pending signed agreements with each applicant, the eight projects will divide a total of $495,102, with funding amounts ranging from $12,000 for window replacement at Historic Westwood on Kingston Pike to $200,000 for renovation of the Kern’s Bakery building on Chapman Highway.
“Our evaluation committee looked carefully at each project,” said Becky Wade, the City’s Director of Community Development. “Factors included the historic significance of the property, the viability of the project and the capacity of the applicant to complete the work they proposed.”
Mayor Madeline Rogero created the Historic Preservation Fund with an initial commitment of $500,000 in the current 2014-15 budget. She included an additional $500,000 in the 2015-16 budget adopted by City Council on Tuesday night.
“We support the preservation of historic properties in several ways, including façade grants, tax incentives, and our ‘Demolition by Neglect’ ordinance,” Mayor Rogero said. “This fund gives us another tool to help fill the gaps in what are often difficult and expensive restoration projects. It will help protect the heritage and character of Knoxville for future generations.”
The eight projects selected are:
• Alfred Buffat Homestead (1717 Loves Creek Road) -- $21,529, for foundation/structural repair.
• Bijou Theatre (803 S. Gay St.) -- $49,475, for roof renovation.
• Branson House (1423 Branson Ave.) -- $24,198, for new dormer and windows above front porch.
• Historic Westwood (3425 Kingston Pike) -- $12,000, for second phase of window replacement.
• Kern's Bakery (2110 Chapman Highway) -- $200,000, for renovation/redevelopment of historic building for mixed use.
• McMillan Flats (507 N. Central St.) -- $150,000, for renovation of row houses/return to single family homes. (Proposed repayment at end of project.)
• MPC Historic Resource Inventory -- $14,000, for inventory update of historic buildings in Knoxville.
• Park City Church (2204 Linden Ave.) -- $23,900, for roof/gutter replacement.