Why a historic Knoxville home is slated to be demolished for a parole office

The character and economic vitality of East Knoxville's main thoroughfare is in jeopardy as one of its historic homes faces demolition, officials and preservationists say.

There's just as much concern about what would be built in its place.

The Sterchi-Audigier residence at 2651 E. Magnolia Ave., built in 1925 and once home to city luminaries, is headed toward demolition to make room for a state parole office.

While there's a groundswell of public support to save the building, the process toward demolition is already in motion and the permit will be granted Aug. 21 unless the property owner and state offices change course.

There's a 60-day delay in issuing the permit because the home is more than 50 years old, said city spokesperson Eric Vreeland.

"The city does not have the legal authority to deny demolition permits for historic buildings," Vreeland said. "City staff is providing information to the property owner’s team about the variety of incentives and other redevelopment tools available to support the preservation and redevelopment of important historic structures in our community."

Owner John Davenport, who did not respond to a phone call asking for comment, bought the property in 2021 for $730,000, according to property records.

The new parole office would replace the 1426 Elm St. location, according to State Building Commission minutes and documents obtained through a public records request.

In 2021, the state selected a bid to lease the Magnolia Avenue site, one of three submitted to the state, said Michelle Parks, communications director for the Tennessee Office of General Services.

The original bid was to lease the renovated historic home, but a fire in October 2022 severely damaged its second story.

The state's lease of the Magnolia property is scheduled to begin in September. Its Elm Street lease runs until the end of the year.

While Parks said conversations about other leasing options are ongoing, the decision whether to demolish the home lies in the hands of its owner.

Historical preservationist Christine Cloninger, executive director of Knox Heritage, said the 2022 fire and the damage it caused does not mean the home should be demolished.

"We have connected with multiple members of the community and the surrounding neighborhoods that are upset not only with the potential demolition of that particular site, but the fact that the parole office plan was in place without any community input," Cloninger said.

McKenzie: Magnolia's future is at stake

State Rep. Sam McKenzie represents East Knoxville, and remembers when Magnolia Avenue was an economic thoroughfare, not unlike Kingston Pike or Clinton Highway. At Austin-East High School, he took his senior photos at a studio on the street. In an interview, McKenzie called the parole office a "terrible project."

"Magnolia is on the verge of resurgence," McKenzie told Knox News. "We have enough bail bondsmen, halfway houses, things of that nature along that stretch. We've given our fair share along that stretch. Magnolia has to be an economic driver for that district, and having that type of facility would do the opposite."

McKenzie said he has been in contact with other state representatives and offices, including the Department of Corrections, to explore alternatives. He encouraged residents who share his concerns to do the same.

"The whole future of the Magnolia Avenue Corridor is at stake," McKenzie said. "I think this will have ripples that will permeate decades on down. It will become more of a service corridor. It's just not what Magnolia was built to be."

In a post on Facebook on Aug. 2, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon expressed her desire to preserve the home, and said she was in communication with McKenzie, state officials and the property owner to explore other options.

What options are there to save the home?

The Sterchi-Audigier residence is eligible to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places and could receive a federal historical tax credit through the state and the National Park Service.

The program - which the Tennessee Historical Commission said has helped rehabilitate more than 1,000 buildings and generated more than $1.5 billion in investments in Tennessee - offers a 20% tax credit for work done to preserve historic buildings.

Cloninger said she hopes the owner restores the home himself and takes advantage of the tax credit or considers selling it to someone who would restore it.

Sterchi-Audigier residence was home to Knoxville families

Cloninger said the house has been a tourist lodge called the Evergreen Club and a worship space. It sat vacant for years before last year's fire, increasing the risk of vandalism and structural damage.

The home was built by W. H. Sterchi, one of a pair of brothers who made Sterchi furniture famous worldwide and built headquarters on Gay Street, now known as Sterchi Lofts.

The home was later sold to Louis Audigier and his family, worldwide travelers who donated an eclectic 400-piece collection of rugs, jewelry and artwork to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, according to UT Libraries.

In the Magnolia Avenue Corridor Plan, prepared by the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission in 2009, the home was cited as "a fine example of the Spanish Eclectic Style, nationally popularized between 1920 and 1940 but rare in Knoxville."

As the deadline approaches, Knox Heritage, formed in 1974 to save the Bijou Theatre from demolition, said residents can contact the Tennessee Department of General Services at 615-741-9263 or general.services@tn.gov.

Daniel Dassow is a reporting intern focusing on trending and business news. Phone 423-637-0878. Email daniel.dassow@knoxnews.com.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville historic home on Magnolia faces demolition. Can it be saved?