/
Print
Services
Residents
Business
Visitors
Government
City of Knoxville
Blogs
City Blog
South High Update: Mayor, Co...
South High Update: Mayor, Council Help Install Drywall
Two years after announcing plans to transform South High into assisted living and memory care for seniors, Dover Development invited Mayor Madeline Rogero, City staff, elected officials and South Knoxville neighbors to visit the 82-year-old school to see the structural improvements and updates completed so far.
South High closed in 1991 and remained empty and unused by Knox County until the summer of 2008, when potential developers purchased it at auction. Multiple ideas and proposals for the property fell through as the building suffered damage from vandalism and roof leaks.
Over the next several years--and after many codes violations and liens on the property--City Council members voted to apply for an H-1 overlay on the property, and the Better Building Board certified South High as a blighted property. In April 2015, the City used Chronic Problem Property acquisition funds to purchase the property and reimburse the City for the taxes and lien. The Community Development department then put out an RFP (Request for Proposals) to developers with plans to bring the historic building back into use.
"We knew there was a lot of life left in this building," Mayor Rogero said.
City Council members Marshall Stair, Lauren Rider, Vice Mayor Finbarr Saunders and Andrew Roberto joined Mayor Madeline Rogero, Rick Dover, County Commissioner Carson Dailey, and 1st District Council representative Stephanie Welch in the former gym of South High School.
Mayor Rogero recalled seeing the state of the South High structure in 2017 and asking Rick Dover if he was sure about taking on the long-empty and neglected building.
Dover thanked the Mayor and her administration, including Community Development Director Becky Wade, for "stepping in and making sure South didn't end up on the ground." He tells the group that he anticipates South High being "the most beautiful building we've ever done."
The $12.1 million project will result in 62 apartments and create 31 full-time jobs. Dover said the work should be completed in about six months and open for residents in February 2020.
Dover invited guests to "have a hand in preserving South High" by helping nail up drywall and leave messages that will live forever under the final coats of paint.
Posted by
ptravis
On 10 July, 2019 at 1:08 PM
Recent Posts
Urban Wilderness: 1 week, 2 milestones
Congratulations to KPD's Newly Promoted Officers!
#PublicWorksWednesday: Dirty Lots and Neighborhood Codes
KPD Officer Delivers Groceries to Snowbound 90-Year-Old: 'I Love Taking Care of My Community'
KFD Provided Life-saving Help During the Snowstorm: 'We Made a Difference'
Fleet Services Technicians Worked 24/7 to Keep City Plow & Salt Trucks on the Road 24/7
Public Service Snow Plow Driver: 'Team Effort - People Were Definitely Appreciative of Us'
3-1-1 Customer Service Rep Connected People with Help: 'It Was Important to Me to Be Here'
Neighborhood Cocktail Bar Near Stadium Looking to Do Baseball- and Soccer-themed Drink Menus
Stadium Milestone: All 1,200 Tons of Steel Framing in Place, Plus Two-thirds of the Concrete Poured
Archives
March 2024 (3)
February 2024 (3)
January 2024 (2)
December 2023 (4)
November 2023 (5)
October 2023 (4)
August 2023 (1)
July 2023 (1)
June 2023 (4)
May 2023 (2)
Group Blogs
City Blog
KAT Blog
KPD News & Alerts
Magnolia Avenue Streetscapes Project
More...
Post Categories
City Events
City Services
Cumberland Ave.
Downtown
Government
KAT
Mayor Kincannon
Meetings
Neighborhoods
Outdoor & Recreation
Public Safety
Redevelopment
Road Work
South Waterfront
Sustainability
Content Alert Subscription
Blog Feeds
Podcast Feeds
Subscribe to Email Alerts