Representatives with the City of Knoxville Redevelopment and Engineering departments and Knoxville Utilities Board representatives will hold a public meeting on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 regarding two streetscape and utility upgrade projects – Central Street and Jackson Avenue.

The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 201 E. Third Ave.

Downtown North neighborhood and business stakeholders are invited to hear details about the more than $5 million combined KUB and City infrastructure upgrade of North Central Street, from north of the Old City railroad tracks (near Depot Avenue) to Woodland Avenue.

In late October, KUB will begin to replace more than 8,800 feet of water main and 26 fire hydrants along 12 City blocks. Then, before the end of 2016, the City will start its streetscape portion of the project – sidewalk improvements, new curbs, “bulb outs” and other features to improve pedestrian safety; better-defined on-street parking; better-marked bike lanes; landscaping; and resurfacing.

One of the most visible aspects of the streetscape project will be the creation of a new linear park between Pearl Place and Baxter Avenue – a block with enhanced landscaping, benches and other amenities.

“This linear park will serve as a gateway to Historic Happy Holler,” said Redevelopment Deputy Director Anne Wallace. “Our aim is to reduce the amount of asphalt and create new green spaces. These improvements will make the corridor more inviting, and they’ll also make it safer for people who are walking or bicycling.”

The project – funded jointly by the City, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration – is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017.

To review a slide show with renderings from a public hearing last November on the project, please visit http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/centralstreet.

Also at the Oct. 13 meeting: KUB and City officials will update Old City stakeholders on an infrastructure upgrade, estimated to cost less than $2 million, on a section of West Jackson Avenue between North Broadway and the ramp to South Gay Street.

KUB in mid-October will begin replacing water main, fire hydrants, natural gas main and sewer infrastructure. Next spring, City streetscape improvements will follow, including a wider sidewalk that will serve patrons of businesses on the south side of West Jackson.

A previously repaired sidewalk on the north side, connecting a City parking lot to North Broadway, will assure accessibility while the south sidewalk is being constructed.

City officials will be available to answer questions about other longer-range Jackson Avenue projects – replacement of the ramps to Gay Street and continuation of the streetscape on East Jackson Avenue. For more details, please visit http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/jacksonavenue.

Anyone needing a disability accommodation to attend the Oct. 13 meeting should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Stephanie Cook, at [email protected] or 865-215-2034. For an English interpreter, contact the City Law Department at 865-215-2050.