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.