Magnolia Avenue Streetscapes Project

PROJECT UPDATES

Magnolia Ave. Streetscape Extension Moves Forward - 01/27/2021
Magnolia Avenue Streetscapes Project Complete - 05/14/2020
Magnolia Avenue Streetscapes Project Blog  - Posts from 2017-2019


PROJECT PLANS

Check here for plans regarding the Magnolia Ave. Streetscapes Project.

Magnolia Avenue Corridor Plan, May 2009 [PDF]
Magnolia Avenue Warehouse District Redevelopment and Urban Renewal Plan, May 2011 [PDF]
Magnolia Avenue Streetscape - Report Draft, May 2014 [PDF]
TDOT Guidelines for Gateway Monuments and Transportation Art - July 2014 [PDF]
Speed Study for Magnolia Avenue - April 2016 [PDF]


PUBLIC MEETINGS

Check here for information and presentations from public meetings regarding the Magnolia Ave. Streetscapes Project.

JANUARY 21, 2016

A public meeting to review design details for the streetscape improvements to the model block section of Magnolia Avenue between Jessamine St. and N. Bertrand St. was held on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at the John T. O'Connor Senior Center (611 Winona St.) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Some of the proposed improvements include raised medians to replace the center left-turn lane; bike lanes; improved sidewalks; bus pull-offs; and streetscape amenities such as street lighting, benches and bike racks.

If you were unable to attend, a two-week public comment period will follow the January 21st meeting. Please send any ideas or comments to Bryan Berry at [email protected]. 

Public Meeting Presentation, January 21, 2016 [PDF]
Review Public Comments [PDF]

APRIL 16, 2014

On April 16, 2014, East Knoxville residents, City Council members, and business leaders shared ideas on the Magnolia Avenue Streetscapes Plan during a public forum at the John T. O'Connor Senior Center.

City staff presented schematic designs for the Magnolia Avenue Streetscapes Plan, based on recommendations outlined in the 2009 MPC Magnolia Avenue Corridor Plan.

One of three areas along the corridor (Jessamine St. to N. Bertrand St.) was recommended as a model block for detailed streetscape designs.

Public Meeting Presentation, April 16, 2014 [PDF]


MAPS & DATA

Check here for maps, data and reports for the Magnolia Ave. Streetscapes Project.

Warehouse District Redevelopment and Urban Renewal Development Activity 2006 - 2015 [PDF]
Model Block Area Development Activity 2006 - 2015 [PDF]
Warehouse District Redevelopment and Urban Renewal Area Development Activity 2006 - 2015 [PDF]


INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW

In 2009, the Metropolitan Planning Commission and Knoxville City Council adopted the Magnolia Avenue Corridor Plan. The purpose of the plan was to create opportunities to enhance development along Magnolia Avenue, including the north end of downtown, the Hall of Fame-Caswell Park area, Burlington, and the areas in between. One opportunity called out in the plan was for Magnolia Avenue to be redesigned on the following recommendations:

•   Sidewalks would be enhanced
•   Bike lanes would be made more functional (wider and/or resurfaced to eliminate concrete seams)
•   Street trees and landscaping, including landscapded medians, would offer traffic calming and define the sidewalk system
•   On-street parking would be identified more clearly

Magnolia Avenue Project handout [PDF]


MODEL BLOCK DEFINED

In 2014, the Magnolia Avenue Streetscape Report was completed, identifying a portion of the Magnolia Avenue Corridor best suited to create a streetscape "model block" for which the rest of the corridor would follow. A six block section of Magnolia Avenue from Jessamine Street to North Bertrand Street was selected as the model block where streetscape improvements will begin.


PUBLIC MEETING JAN. 21, 2016

A public meeting to review design details for the streetscape improvements to the model block section of Magnolia Avenue was held on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at the John T. O'Connor Senior Center.

Meeting attendees reviewed proposed streetscape improvements that include raised medians to replace the center left-turn lane; bike lanes; improved sidewalks; bus pull-offs; and amenities such as lighting, benches, and bike racks.

Public Meeting Presentation [PDF]

If you would like to review all comments received during this period please click on public comments. The Office of Redevelopment reviewed all comments and provided responses. 


FUNDING AND PHASING

On April 27, 2016, Mayor Madeline Rogero announced that $4.39 million was placed in the 2016-2017 capital improvement program for the four-block model section of Magnolia Avenue from Jessamine Street to Myrtle Street for streetscape improvements.

On April 28, 2017, Mayor Madeline Rogero announced that $5 million was placed in the 2017-2018 capital improvement program for the final four-block model section of Magnolia Avenue from Myrtle Street to Bertrand Street for streetscape improvements.


OPEN HOUSE JULY 23, 2018

City staff along with Vaughn & Melton who is performing construction, engineering and inspection services, and The Franklin Group, the general contractor will all be on hand providing an opportunity to chat one-on-one about Phase 1 of the Magnolia Avenue Streetscapes Project before construction begins Summer 2018. The open house will be from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at the John T. O'Connor Senior Center (611 Winona Street)

Open House Flyer [PDF] 

The following are construction plans for Phase 1 that were discussed at the open house meeting. Phase 1 improvements start just east of the Casey Jones bridge along Magnolia Avenue and terminate on the east side of the Myrtle Street and Magnolia Avenue intersection.

Street Layout (Proposed) - Phase 1 [PDF]
The Street Layout shows the location and width of driveway aprons, parallel parking, sidewalk location and width, and intersection details.

Landscape Layout (Proposed) - Phase 1 [PDF]
The Landscape Layout shows the location, type and quantity of plantings that will be placed in the public right of way.  

Hardscape Layout (Proposed) - Phase 1 [PDF]
The Hardscape Layout shows the location, type and number of street fixtures such as benches, trash receptacles, and bike racks. Bus shelter pads for future bus shelters to be provided by the Knoxville Area Transit are also shown.

Street & Pedestrian Lighting (Proposed) - Phase 1 [PDF]
The Street & Pedestrian Lighting shows the location and number of roadway and pedestrian lighting fixtures in the public right of way. There is also a sheet that provides the type of roadway and pedestrian lighting to be used.

Gateway Monument (Proposed) [PDF]
The Gateway Monument will be located in the northeast corner of the Jessamine Street and Magnolia Avenue intersection. The monument will provide a sense of place and identification to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians as they enter the Magnolia Avenue corridor traveling east from Hall of Fame Drive. 
 

PHASE 1 SCHEDULE

• Fall 2017 to Spring 2018 - Right-of-way process
• May 2018 - Invitation to bid
• August 2018 - Notice to proceed for construction
• Fall 2019 - Construction complete


CITY ENGINEERING PROJECT SHEETS

Magnolia Avenue Gateway Monument Project [PDF]
Magnolia Avenue Streetscapes Project Phase I Project [PDF]
Magnolia Avenue Streetscapes Project Phase II Project [PDF]