City Council tonight (Tuesday, July 7, 2026) supported Mayor Indya Kincannon on matters ranging from North Waterfront redevelopment to doubling the City’s solar power to pedestrian improvements on Sutherland Avenue.

In addition, Mayor Kincannon requested a one-year moratorium on the permitting or construction of large data centers, which can require excess amounts of electricity and water to operate – and can be noisy. 

Council agreed on the moratorium. 

Going forward, Knoxville-Knox County Planning and City staff will be developing recommended zoning code changes and other safeguards related to data centers, which currently are not specifically defined in the City’s existing codes. This is a proactive step: There are no proposals pending for any new data center developments. 


North Waterfront Redevelopment Plan

The City is requesting that Knoxville’s Community Development Corp. create a redevelopment plan for the area along the north bank of the Tennessee River – from the Henley Bridge to Third Creek, stretching from World’s Fair Park through Maplehurst to Neyland Drive.

The corridor includes the north landing of the future pedestrian bridge, the North Waterfront and the proposed Maplehurst Innovation District. 

The aim is to establish a development plan to encourage revitalization and reuse of vacant or underutilized properties while improving connectivity between the University of Tennessee, downtown, World’s Fair Park and the riverfront.

The proposal was initially introduced by Vice Mayor Lynne Fugate, Council members Denzel Grant, Karyn Adams, Nathan Honeycutt and Debbie Helsley, and pushed by Mayor Kincannon and City Urban Design and Development staff. Because the City provides funding to KCDC, developing the plan involves no additional funding.


Design work for 5 more solar installations

City Council authorized Mayor Kincannon to enter into an agreement with Trane U.S. to complete engineering assessments and design proposals for five solar photovoltaic installations on City facilities.

The five facilities are: The Fleet Services Heavy Shop, the downtown Fire Department headquarters station, the new Fire Station No. 6 in Burlington, the Public Safety Complex, and KAT’s Knoxville Station.

Combined, these systems will provide 250 kW of power, nearly doubling the existing 280 kW capacity at the City’s seven existing solar PV assets.


Sutherland Avenue safety

Mayor Kincannon will be executing an agreement to allow the City to participate in the state Department of Transportation’s Pedestrian Road Safety Initiative. 

The total investment is expected to be $300,000, with a 10 percent local match, to make pedestrian safety improvements on Sutherland between Longview and Hollywood roads.


Transforming Western

Tonight’s Council vote made it official: The City will, as promised, invest an additional $4.5 million in Western Heights infrastructure and vertical construction. Over six years, the City’s total commitment to the KCDC-led Transforming Western initiative is a combined $26.5 million.


Housing and homelessness prevention

City Council supported Kincannon’s proposal to provide an additional $270,000 in federal Housing and Urban Development funding to four community partners – adding to the more than $300,000 to five community non-profit organizations approved two weeks ago.

Council tonight authorized Mayor Kincannon to execute these agreements:

• Southeastern Housing Foundation II – $90,775 – Community Development Block Grant funding to support SHF’s permanent supportive housing case management program

• East Tennessee Community Design Center – $25,000 – CDBG funds for design and technical assistance services

• Legal Aid of East Tennessee – $125,000 – CDBG funds to provide legal services to low-income individuals facing wrongful eviction or other critical housing issues

• YWCA Knoxville – $30,000 – CDBG funds for transitional housing through the Keys of Hope program