[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6297704,"mediaKeyId","2508271-bda34a84b63571bd8cca575d78ec9363","parentId",2508271,"title","Council adopts budget amendment to fund Gay Street Bridge repairs, neighborhood projects and opioid‑related policing resources","audioSeconds",2414,"startMs",3368000,"endMs",5782000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2508271-bda34a84b63571bd8cca575d78ec9363&start=3368&end=5782","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2508271-bda34a84b63571bd8cca575d78ec9363/thumbnail_3368000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6297704/Tennessee/Council-adopts-budget-amendment-to-fund-Gay-Street-Bridge-repairs-neighborhood-projects-and-opioidrelated-policing-resources","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6297704-44447498341d5dbf8f2c5dfed8ba87ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143784&Signature=Ni4YdNaRuWOfLbnr1SI1ZmKwLRbbRhG5a2GIKZCs5qvz5bSwA8eN9jcmI8a-x1GHk4iU1gs4CuOH8MZD6TMsVOwl63-AFZtZVUkzVErfSLB-HswImgdAupywI-05s~DIwKFL4nscIuyYQm~-ldeAwcr7Xde6Jm6Tnfqstx2qQwUNpOK8Mg1uAnE0brj7rMXGmjRT9ILC7C4G-skOclD9g1ELBKycTuU-XcM8DbNl-DHJynKjhcWZ5qowVACH89WfESs7Xv3vKkMIdnqhSKM4Opmi4mUefAXRIDHtB3-yugvhWac0MEpBDXNHyN8vIs9AnvVFOfEhU3yX80R3bhM1~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Knoxville, TN","date","2025-03-05T20:37:53Z","article","The Knoxville City Council approved an emergency ordinance amending the operating and capital budgets that includes a mix of short‑term repairs, neighborhood investments and allocations from opioid settlement funds. The ordinance passed by voice vote after extended public comment and council discussion.

Key items recorded in the meeting record include: $2,000,000 to repair the Gay Street Bridge so it can carry pedestrian and limited traffic capacity while a longer‑term replacement study proceeds; allocations of opioid settlement funds for law enforcement and related needs (figures discussed during the meeting varied by speaker); and a package of neighborhood and parks investments that included support for Burlington, a Montgomery Village playground, Lakeshore Park Conservancy janitorial and mowing support (up to $216,395 annually), and other one‑time and ongoing items.

Why it matters: The Gay Street Bridge connects downtown and South Knoxville neighborhoods. Public testimony and staff briefing framed the $2 million repair as an interim measure to restore use while the city studies the cost, timeline and funding partners needed for a full replacement. The ordinance also directs opioid settlement funds to police and fire priorities, prompting debate about enforcement versus prevention uses.

Public comment and staff figures: Transportation and access advocates and neighborhood representatives spoke during public comment. Ellen Zavisca of ES Knoxville noted the possible scale of a full replacement and urged council to weigh opportunity costs: “The figure that came up last meeting was approximately $80,000,000… in 10 years with inflation, that could be significantly more, possibly a hundred million or more,” she said, adding that Gay Street Bridge traffic had peaked in 2004 at about 9,700 vehicles per day and had fallen to roughly 7,000 before closure.

On opioid funds, Webster Bailey of Metro Drug Coalition voiced support for allocating settlement funds to police efforts, saying the coalition “strongly supports the city's decision to allocate $300,000 to the Knoxville Police Department as part of a comprehensive multi‑tiered approach to addressing the opioid crisis.” Police Chief Noel later outlined specific intended uses for the department’s allocation, including a $200,000 surveillance van for narcotics investigations, technology and communications upgrades, training, camera upgrades, and vehicle decontamination. Chief Sharp said the Fire Department runs “well over a thousand” overdose calls annually.

Council debate: Council members split on the emphasis within the amendment. Councilwoman Parker objected to using settlement dollars primarily for enforcement and said she feared overinvestment in law‑enforcement responses rather than prevention and treatment. Other members, including Council member Roberto and Council member Thomas, underscored the importance of restoring bridge capacity and reimbursing city costs incurred responding to the opioid crisis. The mayor and administration said the repairs are urgent and that the city will concurrently study replacement alternatives and funding sources with consultant support.

Votes at a glance (items recorded on the meeting agenda and their outcomes):
11A — Resolution to reschedule beer board/city council meeting from 04/15/2025 to 04/29/2025: approved by voice vote.
11B — Magnolia Avenue Intersections design agreement with Gresham Smith (not to exceed $359,785): approved (see separate article).
11C — Miovision vehicle detection equipment (initial 1‑year term, up to $100,000/year): approved (see separate article).
11D — Increase to Integrated Response Systems LLC loop‑maintenance contract to $70,000 annual cap: approved (see separate article).
11E — Agreement with US Bank National Association for comprehensive banking services (up to $40,000/year for four years): approved.
11F — Affordable rental development fund award to Historic Giffen LP (up to $1,059,400): approved (see separate article).
11G — Historic preservation program funds to Haytar owners at 217 E. Scott Ave (up to $200,000): approved.
11H — Agreement with Lakeshore Park Conservancy for janitorial/mowing support (up to $216,395 annually): approved.
11I — Agreement with Purple Horse Hospitality for golf management services (up to $280,000 annually): approved.
12A — Emergency ordinance amending FY24‑25 operating and capital budgets including Gay Street Bridge repairs ($2,000,000) and opioid settlement allocations: approved.
12B — Appropriation of $21,394.06 from Parks & Rec grants for completed challenge grant projects: approved.
12C — Zoning code amendment removing a plan district designation at 0 Millard Beets Road: approved.
12D — Zoning change at 6200 Paper Mill Drive (CG‑3 to CH‑2): approved.

Next steps and follow up: City staff said they will move forward immediately with the $2 million repairs to the Gay Street Bridge while commissioning Gresham Smith to provide a high‑level evaluation of replacement options, comparable project costs and potential funding partners. Administration officials pledged to circulate more detail on opioid‑related disbursements and encouraged nonprofit applicants to pursue larger county and state funding streams for prevention and recovery programs.

Council members asked staff to provide a consolidated briefing on settlement‑fund disbursements across city, county and state sources so council and the public can see which organizations receive what funding and from which pot.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council R 265 250304","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved an emergency budget amendment that includes $2 million to repair the Gay Street Bridge, allocations from opioid settlement funds for policing and other public‑safety items, and multiple neighborhood and parks investments including Burlington and Montgomery Village work.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee","taxId",69361,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6297710,"Council approves $1.06 million gap loan to convert historic Giffen School into affordable housing",1321,1719000,3040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2508271-bda34a84b63571bd8cca575d78ec9363&start=1719&end=3040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2508271-bda34a84b63571bd8cca575d78ec9363/thumbnail_1719000.jpg","/articles/6297710/Tennessee/Council-approves-106-million-gap-loan-to-convert-historic-Giffen-School-into-affordable-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6297710-0919421070e5f29bbfb15a66e9c3f2a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143784&Signature=DW57sWoJbWLGOHlNisl4lsvSM1tIPnhgK~gzyINK8ijgJ4dn663yYnlP8EiOhYOYW1Pih9vrULcfgds0EVusec2H1hVbfEq2LzT5~1Q8EStex5YOCFA6--rX-E3ALti99t7sF64efHR5ANRYGBvdmKALXoECILIWGKMqmb3xCXnvy5wHN2ABg9TkF6j3oxHWOe4vXSl66UxYtExhp7Y3JnK1W7fQbPjPLFfcg173u0FvYGZbL0O6uCFjCQ1bzhxeTZ73XoFKfOPEhRhUxoRJX5dXKDAB81O2J~5u1M2~K-uUSrEOMW57dEpl2iE5g4EGV~kzgKHagGxAmsIAt2ZHRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Knoxville City Council voted to award up to $1,059,400 from the city’s Affordable Rental Development Fund to Historic Giffen LP to support redevelopment of the Giffen Grammar School property at 1834 Beach Street into affordable rental housing.

The resolution was introduced as agenda item 11F and approved by voice vote.

The city’s funding will fill a gap in the project financing for a development proponents described as a larger effort to restore and reuse the historic school building. Benjamin Case, representing Case Enterprises, said the overall Historic Giffen Square project restores about 30,000 square feet of the existing historic building and will produce a total of 77 units citywide — 35 inside the existing school and 42 in two additional buildings. “Historic Giffen Square delivers in both regards,” Case said, calling the development both a preservation and housing outcome.

Neighbors who spoke in support said developers worked closely with the South Haven community to reduce density and preserve neighborhood trees. Kara Strauss, a South Haven resident, said the developer “has altered their plans, heard community voice, decreased density… increased parking” and that neighborhood residents now ask, “When’s the development going to start?” Anna Parmley, another resident, described the vacant school as dilapidated and said returning it to use will benefit access to neighborhood resources.

City staff and council members highlighted the project’s preservation and affordability features. Councilwoman Parker noted the city subsidy is tied to units affordable to households below market, and Kevin DuBose of Housing and Neighborhood Development explained how the city’s gap financing works: the program contributes funding per unit only as needed and ties the city subsidy to specific units. DuBose said the “35 number is just related to gap financing” and that the project expects to include project‑based vouchers that will benefit deeply affordable households.

Project details and timeline offered in the meeting: the school building is about 98 years old and listed on the National Register of Historic Places; the developer said the affordability term for units supported by the city is 30 years. Benjamin Case estimated construction could start in a conservative timeline around June, with an 18‑month build time once under way.

Next steps: the city’s award provides gap financing; final project timing depends on funding partners and construction contracts. Council members praised the public‑private partnership and the neighborhood engagement that led to the current plan.","The council authorized up to $1,059,400 from the Affordable Rental Development Fund to Historic Giffen LP to support conversion of the vacant Giffen School and construction of associated buildings into affordable housing; neighborhood speakers and the developer described a larger 77‑unit project.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6297715,"Council approves Magnolia Avenue safety design work, new vehicle-detection equipment and higher loop-maintenance cap",264,813000,1077000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2508271-bda34a84b63571bd8cca575d78ec9363&start=813&end=1077","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2508271-bda34a84b63571bd8cca575d78ec9363/thumbnail_813000.jpg","/articles/6297715/Tennessee/Council-approves-Magnolia-Avenue-safety-design-work-new-vehicle-detection-equipment-and-higher-loop-maintenance-cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6297715-da11686d0f2c82f158e5670e1e62ce45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143784&Signature=cUzMc6A4YAMnGCzv87N024xdXLm6zOuPOOeivAcLwYinzCf23lAuDIuy7WbzuKHE9rNBa-KuDVqGreGee5imYwtccs8kBu2eiGCESZAVdl1Nea0XbgxzGTq6sjZoffACFmQer4DCI-rPZgVbSUQAD0dISndjg58ZBBBcHHYvO9pGSaUdnfPxdxxwW5z7qS875NQ~jpTWAhDty1~zJKAT-GYfaDB4Y9zD1oCXNDklctV4Ej~XHWk2iQ3WuMW-4I5~sC76Dun2mzQ5vxRE3xiyYvtpk1Vk7cYuObVJYPXXecS20Z0dDs3TM3h6x-IFOgDwGrthDVE6GIDiHK6vWTsWJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Knoxville City Council on the evening’s consent agenda approved three transportation measures intended to speed design and deployment of intersection and signal safety improvements along several high-crash corridors.

Council members voted to: authorize the mayor to sign a professional design agreement with Gresham Smith for Magnolia Avenue intersection improvements (not to exceed $359,785); approve an initial one‑year purchase of Miovision video vehicle‑detection equipment with up to two one‑year renewal options (amount not to exceed $100,000 per year); and amend the on‑call contract for inductive loop maintenance, increasing the annual maximum by $25,000 for a new annual cap of $70,000. Motions carried by voice vote.

The measures are part of a larger federal Safe Streets for All award. Tom Clayville, the city’s engineering director, said, “The total grant amount was $10,000,000; this is a piece of that application,” and that the Magnolia design work will focus on intersection improvements at Cherry Street, Castle Street and North Hembree.

Why it matters: Magnolia Avenue is a multi‑lane state route that the city described as having a high incidence of serious crashes. City staff said the corridor’s 70‑foot pavement sections make pedestrian crossings difficult and that targeted countermeasures at intersections can reduce vehicle‑pedestrian conflicts.

Clayville explained the equipment and goals in more detail. “We really utilize three different technologies for vehicle detection at signalized intersections… the intent is to detect when there's vehicles there and it actuates the signal to help with phasing and efficiency of the intersection,” he said, describing video cameras, pavement loops and microwave detectors. The video equipment is web‑based; staff said it will initially operate automatically and, when fiber is available, will permit remote changes to signal phasing from the office.

Council members pressed staff on how the projects fit into broader corridor work. Councilwoman Parker thanked engineering for selecting intersections but urged the city to keep other precarious crossings on the schedule, citing Magnolia at Harrison Street near a hotel, a warming center and food businesses. Vice Mayor Smith and others emphasized that Chapman Highway and other major corridors are also in planning, noting a separate, larger Safe Streets award the city said will support more ambitious work on Chapman.

Staff said the Miovision purchase and loop maintenance increase are intended to support near‑term detection and signal efficiency needs while the city pursues a longer‑term traffic management center and fiber connections. A planning horizon of roughly 2027 was mentioned for citywide corridor deployments tied to federal funding and fiber buildout.

Next steps: Gresham Smith will move into design work for the Magnolia intersections under the approved contract, the Miovision equipment purchase may begin under the initial one‑year term, and engineering will continue work on corridor timing, communications upgrades and a future traffic management center.","The council approved a $359,785 design contract for Magnolia Avenue safety improvements funded through a $10 million Safe Streets for All grant, purchased video detection equipment under $100,000 per year, and raised annual loop-maintenance spending to $70,000.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts budget amendment to fund Gay Street Bridge repairs, neighborhood projects and opioid‑related policing resources

Council approves $1.06 million gap loan to convert historic Giffen School into affordable housing

Council approves Magnolia Avenue safety design work, new vehicle-detection equipment and higher loop-maintenance cap