Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory – Vol. 8, No. 12 – Tuesday, April 14, 2015
1. 25th Annual Fourth & Gill Tour of Homes Set for April 26
2. Be-Bop-A-Lula: Everly Brothers Park Will Be Reality
3. Register Now for “Fight the Blight” Workshop
4. Fair Housing Conference Set for This Friday
5. Knox Heritage, Others Seek Reprieve for Historic Home
6. Renowned Urban Planner to Speak in Knoxville
7. Bike Summit Set for Next Week
8. South Knoxville Alliance Seeks Funding Proposals
9. Celebrate Earth Day at Knoxville’s 16th Annual EarthFest
10. MPC Begins Work on Northeast County Sector Plan
11. Neighborhood and Government Calendar
Published by the City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods to report news important to Knoxville’s residential neighborhoods. Deadline for news & calendar items: 5 p.m. Mondays.
1. 25th Annual Fourth & Gill Tour of Homes Set for April 26
When the Fourth & Gill Neighborhood Organization held its first tour of homes in 1990, the profit from the event was dedicated to a legal defense fund in case the group could not reach a compromise with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) over the expansion of I-40 through the neighborhood.
Twenty five years later, the neighborhood organization can look back on a successful effort to preserve neighborhood homes, the neighborhood park and the Fourth & Gill Neighborhood Center from demolition at the hands of TDOT. No lawsuit was required, and the Tour of Homes is still going strong.
The Silver Anniversary of the Fourth & Gill Tour of Homes will be held Sunday, April 26, from 1 to 6 p.m. Advance tickets are $10, $12 on the day of the event. Children under 12 go free. See https://fourthandgill.wordpress.com/annual-home-tour/ for details.
2. Be-Bop-A-Lula: Everly Brothers Park Will Be Reality
All you have to do is dream, and the Bearden Council did just that.
The agenda for tonight’s City Council meeting includes a long-awaited resolution to authorize the City to lease a small piece of ground in Bearden that will become a passive city park honoring the Everly brothers, Phil and Don, who lived and performed in the area and attended West High School in the 1950s.
Located at the intersection of Kingston Pike and Forest Park Blvd., the parcel was acquired by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) some years ago as part of the rebuilding of the Kingston Pike bridge over the railroad track.
Now, thanks to the bird-dogging efforts of Bearden Council and Second District Councilman Duane Grieve, along with various city departments, this parcel will become Everly Brothers Park, which will also serve as a gateway to the Bearden community.
East Tennessee Community Design Center provided park design. Work on the park has already begun, and TDOT built a retaining wall at the location in preparation for the park. Ace Hardware and Aldi’s Market contributed materials for the park. Bearden Council is heading up a fund-raising effort to connect the park to the Third Creek Greenway. Bearden Council also hopes to erect a monument to the Everly Brothers, dubbed by Rolling Stone magazine as “the most influential duo of Rock and Roll.”
A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony has not yet been planned.
3. Register Now for “Fight the Blight” Workshop
Tomorrow — Wednesday, April 15 — is the deadline for signing up for the four-session “Fight the Blight” workshop offered by the City of Knoxville.
The workshop will be held over the course of four Wednesdays starting April 22 and continuing through May 13. The first three workshops will be held in the City County Building (Small Assembly Room) from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., and the final workshop on May 13 will be held from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the CAC/L.T. Ross Building, 2247 Western Avenue.
To participate in this workshop, please fill out the one-page application located here: http://www.planetreg.com/E3319621138154. Or call Travis Nissen at 215-3077 to register by phone.
At the workshop, participants will learn how and why properties become blighted, examine the nuts and bolts of city codes enforcement, and hear about public and private efforts that address blight. They will share views and concerns about blight, and propose solutions for these properties at the neighborhood level as well as in collaborative efforts with the city.
Neighborhood representatives who attend this workshop will then be eligible to participate in ongoing meetings of the Neighborhood Working Group, which is composed of neighborhood group representatives and city officials who meet every other month to discuss problem properties and possible solutions.
4. Fair Housing Conference Set for This Friday
If your neighborhood organization is making an effort to reach out to all of your residents — including renters — you will find useful information at the annual Fair Housing Conference this coming Friday, April 17. Please register in advance.
The conference will include a panel on landlord-tenant law and fair housing, a report on a statewide listening tour conducted by the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, homeless individuals speaking about barriers to housing, and advice on working with people with disabilities who employ service animals.
Carlos Osegueda, regional director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office, will be the keynote speaker.
All are encouraged to register and attend. The conference is free for community and neighborhood representatives. The conference begins at 8 a.m. at Gettysvue Country Club, 9317 Linksvue Drive. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. The conference ends at 3 p.m.
Please register ASAP by calling Jennifer Bell at KCDC at 403-1234, ext. 228, or by visiting www.echoknoxville.com, where you can also view the full agenda. Free transportation to and from the conference site will be provided by CAC, but you must register in advance.
The conference is sponsored by the Equality Coalition for Housing Opportunities (ECHO), which is composed of individuals who work for organizations such as governmental agencies, housing providers, social service agencies and advocacy groups.
5. Knox Heritage, Others Seek Reprieve for Historic Home
Following news reports that an historic home at 2921 North Broadway may be sold to a developer for a Walmart Neighborhood Market or similar enterprise, Knoxville citizens are mounting a multi-pronged campaign to save the house.
The effort is led by Knox Heritage, which is urging citizens to sign a petition and donate funds to buy the home. See https://www.facebook.com/KnoxHeritage and http://knoxheritage.org/ for additional information.
News reports suggest that the developer has an option to purchase the neighboring property owned by Centerpointe Church. Both the church property and the historic home are zoned O-1 (office). The house has no historic overlay protection.
In order for a commercial enterprise to be located on these parcels, the Metropolitan Planning Commission and Knoxville City Council would have to agree to rezone them from office to commercial. Variances from the zoning regulations might also be required, and these are voted on by the Board of Zoning Appeals, whose decisions are appealable to City Council.
6. Renowned Urban Planner to Speak in Knoxville
Gil Penalosa, founder of the Toronto-based nonprofit 8-80 Cities, will be in Knoxville next week to discuss how citizens and governments can create vibrant and healthy cities for everyone, regardless of age or social status.
Penalosa will speak on Thursday evening, April 23, at The Standard, an events venue located at 416 West Jackson Avenue. A reception begins at 6 p.m., and Penalosa will begin his presentation at 7 p.m. There is no admission charge, but attendees may wish to bring cash for food that will be available on site.
Penalosa offers a simple but effective principle for inclusive city building — creating a safe and joyful space for everyone from 8 to 80 years old.
As a former Commissioner of Parks for the City of Bogota, Colombia, Penalosa was an integral part of that city’s much celebrated transformation of public space and sustainable mobility during the late 1990s. His team initiated the “new Ciclovia” — a program that sees over 1 million people walk, run, skate and bike along 75 miles of city roads every Sunday, and today is internationally recognized and emulated.
Penalosa’s appearance is sponsored by the Tennessee Bike Summit (see below).
7. Bike Summit Set for Next Week
The Fourth Annual Tennessee Bike Summit will be held Thursday and Friday, April 23 and 24, at the Knoxville Convention Center. The keynote speakers are Gil Penalosa and Martha Roskowski.
The summit — presented by Bike Walk Knoxville and Bike Walk Tennessee — is billed as a chance to discuss how to build safe roads, strong communities, and a Tennessee where everyone is able to enjoy the benefits of bicycling and walking.
Topics include New Practices in Bicycle Facility Design, Interim Solutions & Tactical Urbanism, Planning and Building Great Trails, Safe Routes to School, and Empowering People to Take Action. Other topics are Encouraging and Engaging Youth and Nontraditional Populations, Funding Opportunities for Projects, and Economic Benefits of Bicycle Facilities and Bicycling.
Bike rides, mobile workshops, and social events are also included. The registration fee is $85 for two days or $45 for one day. For more, visit http://www.tnbikesummit.org/.
8. South Knoxville Alliance Seeks Funding Proposals
South Knoxville Alliance (SKA) will hold its second Knoxville SOUP, a micro-funding event and dinner, on Saturday, May 16, at Ijams Nature Center.
Artists are encouraged to complete an application on www.KnoxvilleSOUP.org no later than May 9. Four individuals or teams will be selected to present their project at the dinner; they will be notified no later than May 13.
The suggested donation is $5.00 at the door, but more can be given. All donations collected at the door go to the winner at the end of the evening. Proposals will be presented at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner. Votes will be tallied by 8:15 p.m., and the winner will be announced.
The first Knoxville SOUP, held last month, raised $412 for the rejuvenation of the Mary Vestal Park and Greenway Extension.
For more, email soup@SouthKnoxvilleAlliance.org or call 865-309-4020.
9. Celebrate Earth Day at Knoxville’s 16th Annual EarthFest
Looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day? Look no further: EarthFest is back!
The festivities will be held on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville. There will be over 100 exhibitors and attractions. As always, it’s a free, zero-waste event for the whole family, including your pets.
Waste stations will be located throughout the festival that offer recycling and composting opportunities for everything distributed at the event. In order to minimize waste, exhibitors and food vendors agree to control the types of materials they sell or distribute. In 2014, the day-long event sent less than 3 pounds of waste to the landfill.
Over the past 16 years, EarthFest has become East Tennessee’s premier Earth Day event. There are plenty of attractions including an interactive educational scavenger hunt, a vintage pop-up clothing shop, a fuel-efficient car showcase, three live bands, and Max A. Pooch, a unique dog who enjoys cleaning up litter and promoting recycling.
Other onsite events will include an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most simultaneous cloth diaper changes, a Medic blood drive and interactive youth learning area. Prizes will be given away every hour. Visit www.knox-earthfest.org.
10. MPC Begins Work on Northeast County Sector Plan
The Metropolitan Planning Commission is in the process of updating the Northeast County Sector Plan.
MPC has scheduled — in the last half of April — the first round of public meetings to discuss the background report and gather community input on the sector’s needs. Also, MPC staff is offering to attend other community meetings to discuss the plan. Contact Bryan Berry at bryan.berry@knoxmpc.org.
For details, see http://www.knoxmpc.org/northeastcounty/index.htm.
11. Neighborhood and Government Calendar
Include your neighborhood-related event or meeting in this space. Call 215-3456.
Visit http://www.cityofknoxville.org/calendar/ for a complete list of meetings of various city boards and commissions. See the Community Events Calendar: http://www.cityofknoxville.org/events/events.pdf
If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to attend a City of Knoxville public meeting, please contact Stephanie Brewer Cook at scook@cityofknoxville.org or 215-2034 no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting you wish to attend.
Tuesday, April 14 – Wednesday, April 15
Tennessee River Tour
Tree plantings, school workshops, “pint night” fundraisers for local nonprofits
at local watering holes, River Tour speaker series, and more.
Living Land & Waters
www.tennesseerivertour.org
Tuesday, April 14 — 4-5 p.m.
City of Knoxville Greenways Commission
(2nd Tuesdays every two months)
http://www.cityofknoxville.org/boards/greenways.asp
Larry Cox Senior Center, 3109 Ocoee Trail
Lori Goerlich, Parks & Recreation Dept., 215-2807
Tuesday, April 14 — 6 p.m.
Brown Avenue Neighborhood Watch (Second Tuesdays)
Hoitt Ave. Baptist Church, 2121 Hoitt Ave.
Jimmy Ramsey, 637-0243
Tuesday, April 14 — 7 p.m.
City Council (Every Other Tuesday)
http://www.cityofknoxville.org/citycouncil
Agenda: http://www.cityofknoxville.org/citycouncil/agenda.pdf
Wednesday, April 15 — 12 Noon
Eastport/Lee Williams Neighborhood Watch (Third Wednesdays)
Lee Williams Senior Center, 2240 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave
Sylvia Cook, 206-3433, sylviacook5901@comcast.net
Thursday, April 16 — Breakfast – 7:30 a.m. Meeting – 8 a.m.
East Knoxville Business & Professional Association (Third Thursdays)
Open to Neighborhood Residents and Leaders
Meeting location varies
Doug Minter, Dminter@knoxvillechamber.com, Knoxville Chamber, 637-4550
http://www.eastknox.org/
Thursday, April 16 — 8:30 a.m.
Historic Zoning Commission (Third Thursdays)
http://www.cityofknoxville.org/boards/historic.asp
Kaye Graybeal, 215-3795, kaye.graybeal@knoxmpc.org
Thursday, April 16 — 12 p.m.
KUB Board of Commissioners (Third Thursdays, except July)
Historic Miller’s Building, 445 S. Gay St.
See www.kub.org. Click on “About Us” at top of the page.
Thursday, April 16 — 4 p.m.
City Board of Zoning Appeals (Third Thursdays)
Small Assembly Room, City County Building
Pre-Agenda Meeting: 3 p.m. in Room 511
http://www.cityofknoxville.org/boards/zoning.asp
Thursday, April 16 — 6 p.m.
Public meeting for Police Advisory & Review Committee (PARC)
City County Building, Main Assembly Room, 400 W. Main St.
http://www.cityofknoxville.org/boards/parc/.
Lisa Chambers, 215-3869, lchambers@cityofknoxville.org
Thursday, April 16 — 7 p.m.
Old Sevier Community Group
(Third Thursdays, January-November)
South Knoxville Elementary School Library, 801 Sevier Avenue
Gary Deitsch, 573-7355, garyedeitsch@bellsouth.net
Saturday, April 18 — 10 a.m.
South Haven Neighborhood Association (Third Saturdays)
Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 1615 Price Ave.
Pat Harmon, 591-3958
Monday, April 20 — 7 p.m.
Historic Fourth & Gill Neighborhood Organization
Board Meeting (Third Mondays except January)
“Birdhouse”/Fourth & Gill Center, 800 North Fourth Avenue
Liz Upchurch, 898-1809, lizupchurch1@gmail.com
Monday, April 20 — 7 p.m.
Alice Bell Spring Hill Neighborhood Association
(Third Mondays except June, July, December)
All are welcome to attend.
New Harvest Park, 4775 New Harvest Lane
Ronnie Collins, 637-9630
Monday, April 20 — 7 p.m.
West Hills Community Association (Third Mondays)
Executive Committee: July, August, September, November, December
General Meeting: February, May and October
First Church of the Nazarene, 538 Vanosdale Rd.
Ashley Williams, 313-0282
Tuesday, April 21 — 3-6 p.m.
Flower Planting at New Picnic Shelter, Chilhowee Park
Volunteers needed to pull weeds and plant flowers donated by Oakes Daylilies
Bring a trowel, hoe or small shovel
Come to the entrance at Beaman and East Fifth Avenue
Friends of Chilhowee Park
Tuesday, April 21 — 6 p.m.
Delrose Drive Neighborhood Watch (Third Tuesdays)
Riverview Baptist Church, 3618 Delrose Dr.
Corina and John Buffalow, 523-0102
Tuesday, April 21 — 6:30 p.m.
Lonsdale United for Change (Third Tuesdays)
Lonsdale Recreation Center, Stonewall Ave.
Steve Ritter, 973-0877
Tuesday, April 21 — 7 p.m.
Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association (Third Tuesdays, except December)
Larry Cox Senior Center, 3109 Ocoee Trail
http://edgewoodpark.us/