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Knoxville council approves TDOT-funded greenway, nonprofit homelessness grants and Legends Global management contract
Summary
On June 23, Knoxville City Council approved multiple project funding amendments and contracts — including TDOT increases for Liberty Street and the Northwest Greenway, several nonprofit homeless services grants, a management contract with Legends Global for convention facilities, and a $500,000 VOCA grant authorization.
Knoxville City Council on June 23 approved a slate of funding and contract measures ranging from major transportation grants to nonprofit service agreements.
Council authorized amendments with the Tennessee Department of Transportation that increase the Liberty Street multimodal project to $2,332,342 and raise funding for the Northwest Greenway Connector Phase 2 to $7,227,492, extending the latter project's completion date to Dec. 31, 2028. Councilman Honeyut noted that the greenway increase leverages a state contribution that covers roughly 80% of project costs, leaving an expected 20% local share.
The council also approved a series of agreements to provide homeless general funds to local organizations: $65,000 to the Salvation Army (Joy Baker Center) to support emergency shelter services for about 45 people; $30,000 to Catholic Charities of East Tennessee for Samaritan Place shelter services; $54,720 to Volunteer Ministry Center for shelter and clinic services; and additional rapid rehousing funds to the Volunteer Ministry Center and the Knoxville Knox County Community Action Committee.
Community Mediation Center Executive Director Jen Kamiski described the center's eviction mediation work in court: "We provide mediation services in this context for the day of court... sometimes it means people are able to stay in the residence," she said, explaining the program helps tenants avoid eviction judgments that can make finding future housing difficult.
Council approved a CDBG award of $25,000 for a security update at Samaritan Place and authorized a contract with Legends Global for full-service management of the Convention Center, Exhibition Hall and Civic facilities at an annual cost up to $95,000 plus CPI adjustments. Legends representatives said the term is five years with two five-year renewal options and highlighted continuity of staff, retention of "legacy events" and a shift in booking policy from 14 to 18 months.
Finally, council authorized an application to the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime for a three-year, $500,000 grant to support victim services; councilmember Parker abstained from that vote after asking for clarity about budgeting and match requirements but the authorization carried.
