Council adopts Magnolia Avenue redevelopment plan; East Knoxville speakers raise concerns about outreach and Chilhowee Park

The Knoxville City Council approved a redevelopment plan for Magnolia Avenue and adjoining East Knoxville areas prepared by the Knoxville Community Development Corporation (KCDC) on a 7–1 vote. The plan is intended to attract private investment, utilize public financing tools and support streetscape and infrastructure improvements along the corridor.

During public comment, several East Knoxville residents urged more inclusive outreach and objected to proposals they said could convert public parkland at Chilhowee Park to private uses. Skykila Smith presented a petition with more than 400 signatures opposing an Emerald Youth proposal to occupy part of Chilhowee Park and asked that the city not transfer public parkland to a private nonprofit without broader community engagement. Tanisha Baker supported investment in East Knoxville but urged that benefits be distributed equitably and that long‑time residents be included in planning.

KCDC representative Ben Bentley and city planning staff said the plan is the outcome of a years‑long process and that the primary purpose is to enable public‑private partnerships and to deploy tools such as pilot programs, façade grants, historic tax credits and, where appropriate, tax increment financing (TIF) to leverage infrastructure investments. Bentley and the mayor’s office committed to publishing itemized spending for projects that use TIF so the public can track how increment funds are used.

Staff and council members also discussed stormwater and topography constraints for Chilhowee Park. City engineers said the park occupies a low point with karst geology and limited natural drainage; the existing lake/pond level is maintained by pumps and any redevelopment would need to provide expanded detention or pond volume or invest in costly underground stormwater infrastructure. Staff noted that a recent stormwater analysis had been completed to better define those constraints.

Council member Parker and others criticized the outreach process and said notices sent only to property owners did not reach renters, frequent park users or other neighborhood stakeholders. Several council members urged more meetings and promised follow‑up, including that code and public‑safety staff would respond to particular neighborhood concerns.

The resolution adopting the Magnolia Avenue and Chilhowee Park redevelopment plan passed 7–1. City leaders described the plan as a tool to encourage private investment paired with public improvements and said next steps include targeted implementation measures and continued community engagement.