State Street Garage Update- January 17, 2013

PLEASE NOTE: The public meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17^th, on the State Street Garage project has been canceled. It will be rescheduled for a later date. Thank you for any help you can provide in spreading the word.

Also, remember that State Street will be closed beginning Sunday. The crane needed to lift the precast concrete pieces should be arriving then. With the Holiday falling on Monday, this timing is still somewhat flexible as we have directed the Contractor to only close off the garage and the street as needed. One lane of Clinch Avenue will also be closed and the entrances and exits to the State Street Garage on both Clinch Avenue and State Street will be closed at that time. The only entrance to the garage for vehicular traffic will be on Union Avenue. Parking in the garage will only be allowed for monthly parkers. Other downtown visitors and cinema patrons will be directed to use the surface parking lot located off of Union Avenue between State Street and S. Central Street. Pedestrians using this lot will be directed to the western sidewalk along State Street to reach Gay Street by either the Union Avenue sidewalk, the newly constructed temporary stairwell, or the elevator. The eastern sidewalk along State Street by the garage will also be closed at this time. One lane of traffic on State Street will reopen nights and weekends unless additional work is needed for the project. The crane will start on the south end of State Street and proceed north. Additional time will be needed when the crane reaches the Union Avenue area to place the new overpass in position.

The upper deck of the garage will be completely closed off as well as some of the additional parking spaces for this phase of construction. Folks will be on site to direct both traffic and pedestrians. Please be very mindful of all signage, flaggers, and other personal onsite. These folks are there to help you arrive safely at your destination.

This work is scheduled for completion for this phase by March 5, 2013. The next phase will take place on S. Central Street.

We apologize for any inconvenience with the meeting cancellation for tonight. There are multiple meeting conflicts tonight and with the possible weather issues we decided to reschedule to another date.

Thanks for your patience and interest in this project and in Downtown Knoxville.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at 865-215-3837.

Rick Emmett

Downtown Coordinator

City of Knoxville

State Street Garage Update- January 14, 2013

Please note the following Media Advisory:

What: Public meeting on State Street Garage construction

When: 5 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 17^th

Where: East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St.

Who: City of Knoxville officials and construction managers with the State Street Garage expansion project will provide updates on the ongoing construction. This will include projected schedules for lane and road closures around the garage, and expected limitations on parking availability in the garage during construction.

The State Street Garage expansion is a $6.1 million project that will add 250 new spaces to the garage’s existing 842 spaces. It will also add an elevated walkway across State Street to connect to Gay Street, replacing the now-closed escalator.

Foundation work is continuing and is going well. It is a slow process but will ensure our ability to add additional levels when funding is secured.

Please continue to use caution in the construction area as conditions there will be very congested for the next few months. We will have signage and flaggers on site to help direct traffic and also to help direct pedestrians. The pedestrian travel path may be relocated on occasion for safety so please heed all of our warning signs and follow our designated walking areas.

State Street is scheduled to have a complete closure beginning next Monday, January 21, 2013 during daylight hours and occasionally on weekends depending on weather conditions and other factors. One lane will reopen at nights and on weekends. This closure is currently scheduled to remain in effect until the end of February. Work will then move down Union Avenue to S. Central Street. S. Central Street will be closed at that point for approximately one month.
The rebar required for the project is being delivered in anticipation of the precast concrete delivery.

Please plan to attend the Public meeting this Thursday if you are interested in the very latest news about the State Street Garage Expansion or if you have any questions for our team.

As always, thanks for your interest in the project and in Downtown Knoxville.