Sevier Avenue is growing, but amenities lag behind. When will street improvements begin?

Ryan Wilusz, Knoxville News Sentinel
Updated ·2 min read

The streetscape project to improve Sevier Avenue, which has been in the works since 2013 with nothing much to show, has been pushed pack again as the community keeps growing.

Just across the river from downtown, this South Knoxville road has welcomed an exciting handful of new businesses in recent years despite its aging infrastructure.

Improvements would create a cleaner look for residents and visitors by burying utilities underground, adding on-street parking, creating new bike lanes and building a roundabout at the intersection of Island Home Avenue.

Construction originally slated for summer 2019 was pushed back to 2022-23, meaning work should already be well underway.

But Rebekah Jane Justice, deputy economic development officer and urban designer for the city, told Knox News via email the new targeted start date is this winter. From there, the project could take up to two years to complete.

Knoxville City Council voting on Sevier Avenue streetscape

With a unanimous vote July 25, Knoxville City Council chose to increase a surveying and engineering services contract for the project.

The increase of $60,045 for "design modifications" makes this a $506,475 contract. That's roughly double the initial contract amount, which has increased with multiple amendments over the years, but it's still just a fraction of the full project cost.

The city estimates this infrastructure overhaul could cost around $10 million, though it might be slightly more due to some changes in material costs and contracts.

The city has been bidding out utility work and working with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to push the project forward, Justice said.

"This project is a combination of federal and local funds and we are aligning multiple phases and contracts for efficiency of timelines and budget for the project to proceed," she said. "This is a long awaited streetscape project, and we are looking forward to the improvements to multi modal safety, the aesthetics and enlivening the district."

What will growing Sevier Avenue look like during construction?

Justice said a traffic control plan for vehicles and pedestrians has been created. You'll still be able to access the area during construction.

"We will have a communications plan for the businesses along the corridor in advance of the work once a timeline is set," she said.

Sevier Avenue, pictured July 2022, has welcomed an exciting handful of new businesses in recent years, despite its aging infrastructure. The city hopes the neighborhood continues to grow, especially once streetscape improvements move utilities underground and improve the roads for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
Sevier Avenue, pictured July 2022, has welcomed an exciting handful of new businesses in recent years, despite its aging infrastructure. The city hopes the neighborhood continues to grow, especially once streetscape improvements move utilities underground and improve the roads for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

In recent months, Sevier Avenue has welcomed '70s-inspired cocktail bar Fly By Night and Angry Dumplings, which replaced the short-lived South Knox Nutrition. However, Simpl announced last week its final day in business will be Aug. 13.

Ryan Wilusz is a downtown growth and development reporter. Phone 865-317-5138. Email ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com. Instagram @knoxscruff.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Sevier Avenue street improvements delayed in South Knoxville