State Street Garage Update- November 30, 2012

Please note that we will be closing the sidewalk beside the State Street Garage to continue our work on the foundation. All has gone well so far and we are hopeful this trend will continue.

Several large events are coming soon to the Tennessee Theater so we are urging everyone there to use extreme caution both inside the garage and outside the garage along the sidewalks. One lane of State Street is also closed off and we plan to have flagmen on site. The surface parking lot on Union Avenue and State Street is a very good option for parking to avoid congestion.
The Christmas Concert at noon at the Tennessee Theater on Monday December 3, 2012 is always fantastic and brings an overflow crowd typically.
Below are a few pictures of some of the work going on inside the garage. By my count at least 70 parking spaces have been impacted at this time.
 These pictures were taken at the entrances on Union Avenue and on Clinch Avenue.

As always, thanks for your interest in Downtown Knoxville and the State Street Garage Expansion project.

State Street Garage Update- November 21, 2012

Our foundation work for the State Street Garage is proceeding as scheduled. Union Avenue is now completely reopened although we will have another lane closure there and also on Clinch Avenue in the next few weeks to complete our work. Central Street will continue to have a lane closure for the next few months.



Here is another pic from original construction:

One lane of State Street will be closed beginning Monday, November 26, 2012 probably until the end of the year for foundation work . The pedestrian walkway will be maintained and we will have flagmen on site to help with safety. Please help us out by using caution and abiding by all of our traffic control devices in this area.

All entrances and exits to the Garage should be available until the first of the year.

The screened garbage collection area will be moved nearby and a temporary screen will be built until we can provide the permanent location. Our plan is to move this area to the other end of the Garage and possibly expand the site for future capacity.

Our next Public meeting to discuss the progress and planning of the State Street Garage Expansion will be held at the East Tennessee History Center on S.Gay Street at 5:00pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012.

Please join us Downtown Friday for the following event:

Friday Events Celebrate Gay Street and Christmas in the City

November 19, 2012 - A double-helping of holiday events this Friday, Nov. 23rd, will recognize a "Great Street" and also kick off Knoxville's Christmas in the City celebration for 2012. At 5:30 p.m., in Krutch Park Extension, Mayor Madeline Rogero will join other local officials to celebrate the naming of Gay Street as one of 10 "Great Streets" in America by the American Planning Association. In adding Gay Street to its annual list for 2012, the APA cited the historical preservation efforts that have saved many of its buildings, and its continuing contribution to Knoxville's economy and vibrant arts scene. Then, at 6 p.m., also in Krutch Park Extension, Mayor Rogero will lead the annual tree-lighting ceremony that begins the Regal Celebration of Lights. A full evening of festivities will follow, including: ·  The return of ice skating to Market Square, with Holidays on Ice (rink opens at 10:00 am), with a ribbon cutting to be held at 4 p.m - www.knoxvillesholidaysonice.com. ·  WDVX Holiday Ho-Ho-Hoedown entertainment 5:30-9 p.m. on Market Square Stage ·  Free train rides up and down Gay Street, with the Fezziwig Express picking up at the corner of Clinch Avenue and Market Street ·  Downtown Knoxville becomes a Christmas village with caroling and marshmallow roasting ·  Performances by French horns and voices ·  Free activities including pictures with Santa Claus, hot cocoa by the Salvation Army, Mrs. Claus Bake Shop, face painting, balloon animals & much more! For more information about Christmas in the City events, +including tips on parking, visit www.cityofknoxville.org/christmas

Also note the following:

Paving work that was scheduled to be done downtown on Church Avenue between Henley Street and Gay Street has been postponed until sometime in 2013.

The City has been notified that KUB will be doing some infrastructure work along the street in the near future, and so the repaving will wait until that work has been completed.

Paving on the eastern stretch of Church Avenue, between Gay Street and the Church Avenue viaduct, has proceeded as planned this past week and has now been completed.



Thanks for your interest in Downtown and the State Street Garage Expansion project.

Union Avenue street closure on Tuesday November 13, 2012

Please note the following press release:

BLOCK OF UNION AVENUE BY STATE STREET GARAGE CLOSED

            Because of the ongoing construction work at the City’s State Street Garage, Union Avenue between State Street and South Central Street will be closed to traffic for a week beginning on Tuesday, Nov. 13. This will also block the Union Avenue entrance and exit for the garage.

            The closure is expected to continue through at least Tuesday, Nov. 20. Other street and lane closures around the garage are expected as work continues during the next several months.         

State Street Garage Update- November 8, 2012

Foundation work on the State Street Garage is ongoing and is being primarily conducted outside of the Garage on S. Central Street.

 Progress inside the garage has consisted of mostly prep work and some drilling so far but we plan to begin more intensive work in the next week or so which may impact some parking spaces.

I will post maps and pictures on this blog when we have a complete determination of the timing and area.

I found it interesting that when we removed a couple of the trees, we revealed the original (I assume) State Street Garage sign

In an effort to have complete communication and notice, our contractor provided the following signage which speaks for itself:

Some of the work has also moved onto Clinch Avenue resulting in a temporary street closure to position the drill.
Clinch Avenue will be down to one lane until November 21 according to the permit.

The Downtown paving program has also started and weather permitting we plan to begin work from the Church Avenue Viaduct to Gay Street and eventually on to Henley Street beginning November 12, 2012. We typically do this type of work on weekends but weather is becoming a factor and the street will be closed at least some of the time. Engineering has worked closely with the Presbyterian Church and also KAT on this timing for the needed repaving of this area. Here is the press release which is posted on the City of Knoxville website:

Paving operations are scheduled to begin on Church Avenue in downtown Knoxville on Monday, Nov. 12th. Paving will take place from the Church Avenue Viaduct to Henley Street, and this work will be done in two phases. Phase I includes the section between the viaduct and Gay Street. It is anticipated this work will take 3 to 4 days to complete. The section of roadway between the viaduct and State Street will be closed during this time. However, traffic will be maintained between State Street and Gay Street, with lanes being closed on a rotating basis. Traffic will also be maintained along State Street. Phase II includes the section between Gay Street and Henley Street. This work will begin Saturday, Nov. 17th. It is anticipated the work will be complete by the evening of Sunday, Nov. 18th. Lanes will be closed on a rotating basis, and through traffic will be maintained throughout.

Please be aware of the Veterans Day Parade which will be held this Friday November 9, 2012 downtown. If you have never attended, I would encourage you to come down for this very inspiring Parade and to honor all of our men and women for their service to our Country. Here is the notice from the City of Knoxville website:

Veterans Day Parade Nov. 9, 2012

November 5, 2012 - Be a part of honoring and celebrating our Nation's veterans on Friday, Nov. 9 during the 87th Veterans Day Parade. The parade is dedicated to the men and women who have served honorably in the United States Armed Forces. The parade will start at 10:40 a.m. at the Knoxville Colisuem, run along Howard Baker, Jr. to Church St., right on Gay St., and will follow Gay St. til ending at Depot. Ave. At 11:00 a.m. all parade participants will halt and face west while honors are rendered at the reviewing stand for veterans of all our country's wars.

Christmas in the City preparations are also well underway and the Christmas parade is scheduled for December 7, 2012 so please mark your calender for this as well ( www.cityofknoxville.org/christmas )..
That day is also First Friday so come early and support our Art Community.

Thanks for your interest in Downtown.