| APRIL | ARCHIVES |
This special edition of City Matters focuses on the outstanding work of so many who have helped make the opening of Covenant Health Park a success!
April was filled with moments for the record books, from the unveiling of the Negro League statues in the stadium plazas, to Opening Day, to Mayor Kincannon’s jam-packed State of the City luncheon.
Chances are, you couldn’t attend every event, so City Communications is going to highlight some of the top moments.
Enjoy!
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Baseball and Budget…
Mayor Kincannon’s April 25th budget luncheon had it all!
Despite the threat of stormy weather, nearly 700 people filed into the Covenant Health Park concourse for the Mayor’s State of the City address.
The area was transformed into a meeting space, perfectly placed to overlook the field, with a straight-on view of the massive Tennessee-shaped scoreboard.
The fun-filled event was a welcome departure from some of the more traditional budget luncheons. Guests got to enjoy 2 of the Smokies mascots, check out the City’s new “mascot” Rocky Bot, tour the new Covenant Health Park, and enjoy concession stand treats!
Mayor Kincannon’s address focused on the power of teamwork, while unveiling a budget proposal that highlighted public safety, housing, Vision Zero initiatives and more!
Click the button below to read the Mayor's address, watch videos from the day, scan a photo gallery and read the complete budget.
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 Sports Authority Facilitates Stadium Project
The new multi-use stadium is owned jointly by the City of Knoxville and Knox County governments.
How does that work, exactly?
City and county leaders followed the lead of multiple municipalities around the country and established a Sports Authority to oversee this major project with benefits for all.
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Quick Progress on Stadium Plazas, Old City Streetscapes
 Did you know that the four public plazas around Covenant Health Park total 61,400 square feet - and that, combined, they're considerably larger than Market Square downtown?
And that dozens of mature trees have been planted, with more to come, in the plazas and along Jackson Avenue, Willow Avenue and Central Street?
Walkability and accessibility are trademarks of urban downtown multi-use stadiums.
Wide, ADA-accessible, tree-lined sidewalks make "getting there" fun and enjoyable, and they invite fans going to the stadium to meander and explore the stores and restaurants along the way.
Covenant Health Park was ready to welcome big crowds for soccer and baseball last month. But most every day, it seems, even more work gets finished on the streetscapes: A new concrete section of sidewalk gets poured. New streetlights are installed. More landscaping is planted.
Click the button below to view the latest work happening outside the stadium!
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 Helping Small Businesses Go Big
As a black woman owning a small construction company, Kimberly Black appreciated the coaching and support from business mentors and community partners.
She got help from the Knoxville Area Urban League and Denark Construction.
Earned a subcontract to install hardscape infrastructure at Covenant Health Park.
Hired more employees.
Now, she can look at her handiwork at the stadium with pride and know: I had a part in building this.
"Knoxville is a great city for small businesses to thrive," Black says. "Keep investing in small businesses. It pays dividends.”
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 The Legacy Beneath Covenant Health Park
Before it was a ballpark, this land was home to The Bottom, a vibrant Black business district in East Knoxville.
In this special feature, explore how the City is honoring the neighborhood’s deep history through intentional design, public art, and storytelling.
Covenant Health Park is more than a stadium, it’s a symbol of remembrance and pride.
Learn about the community that once stood here and meet the leaders keeping its memory alive. These stories are not lost, they’re woven into every step, seat, and statue.
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Stadium Seen as Catalyst for Jobs, Investment
Will the publicly-owned stadium generate private investment and create jobs? And, farther east from the stadium, will those economic opportunities happen along the Magnolia Avenue corridor?
"The public-private investment in Covenant Health Park will create new jobs and wealth-building in East Knoxville," Mayor Indya Kincannon says.
Don't just take the Mayor's word for it.
City Communications talked with five local experts, all independent of the Mayor's administration.
Their consensus is: The long-term economic impact of the stadium and spin-off investment is likely to exceed the $480 million that an independent analysis estimated a few years ago.
One of the experts predicted that investment generated by the stadium will exceed that of the South Waterfront, which over a decade has totaled roughly $1 billion - that's "billion," with a B.
Get their thoughts and predictions by clicking the button below.
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 How to Ride, Park, or Walk to Covenant Health Park
Planning your visit to Covenant Health Park? Whether you're attending a Smokies game or the Mayor’s State of the City Address, we’ve got you covered.
This quick guide breaks down shuttle pick-up locations, nearby parking garages, KAT routes, and ADA-accessible options, plus tips for walking from downtown.
With multiple ways to get there, you can choose what works best for your schedule. We’ve even included a video to show just how easy it is to make the trip.
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