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Council withdraws proposed sale of Chilhowee Park after council split and public concern
Summary
After council debate and public opposition, the Knoxville City Council voted 5–4 to withdraw the agenda item to sell Chilhowee Park, with members citing insufficient public vetting and concern about irreversible loss of parkland.
The Knoxville City Council voted to withdraw an agenda item that would have authorized the sale of Chilhowee Park, a decision supporters of the park called necessary to protect a site they described as historic.
Council members voted on the motion after a lengthy floor discussion about transparency and community input. Several councilmembers said the process around the proposal had not included sufficient, meaningful public engagement. The mayor announced the withdrawal motion carried 5–4 following a roll-call vote.
Councilmembers who supported withdrawal said selling parkland is an irreversible action that requires greater vetting. Council member Parker said community members attending earlier meetings “felt like a plan was being presented to them, and there was no opportunity to move forward with the conversation about how to invest in Chilhowee Park as a public park.” Opponents of withdrawal, including Council member Mackenzie, said they preferred the council decide on the merits rather than withdraw the proposal without hearing public testimony during the agenda item.
Speakers who had signed up to address the agenda item remained on both sides of the issue, and Vice Mayor Smith argued the council should allow the item to remain on the agenda so public speakers could be heard. After debate the mayor asked for a roll-call vote; the city recorder recorded votes with Hilsley, Parker, Roberto, Singh and Thomas voting yes and Mackenzie, Ryder, Vice Mayor Smith and Fugate voting no.
At public forum later in the meeting, resident Mia Denise Brown addressed the council and urged the body not to sell Chilhowee Park, describing the site’s historical use and cultural significance. Brown said, “I am against the sale of Chilhowee Park. It’s public park. It’s historic … it should not be sold,” and urged the council to preserve access and programming at the site.
Next steps: the withdrawal removes the sale from tonight’s agenda; councilmembers who supported more public process said they want to restart the effort with broader community engagement and clearer public hearings before any future proposal is brought back.
