Transformations Begin in Downtown Knoxville

News Summary

Downtown Knoxville is set for significant transformations, starting with the demolition of the Pryor Brown Garage on January 6. This construction will temporarily affect Market Street and surrounding sidewalks. In addition, McGhee Tyson Airport is expanding its parking facilities with a new $185 million garage, adding 3,500 spaces to accommodate increasing passenger numbers. These developments aim to enhance both the downtown experience and airport accessibility.

Exciting Changes Coming to Downtown Knoxville!

Get ready, Knoxville! Starting next week, our vibrant downtown area is gearing up for some big changes. If you’ve strolled around Market Street or Church Avenue lately, you may have noticed some signs of progress. Well, it’s officially here! Construction work kicks off with the demolition of the century-old Pryor Brown Garage on Monday, January 6. This four-story structure has seen better days, standing empty and deteriorating without a roof for several years. Its time has finally come to make way for anew!

Road and Sidewalk Closures

In line with this demolition, there will be some temporary road closures. Market Street will be closed between Cumberland Avenue and Church Avenue to facilitate preparation for the demolition work. And heads-up, pedestrians! The east-side sidewalk on Market Street and the south-side sidewalk on Church Avenue right next to the garage will also be closed off. But don’t worry too much; the sidewalks on the other sides of Market Street and Church Avenue will remain open to help you navigate the area.

Keeping you in the loop, the eastbound lane and sidewalk on Church Avenue are expected to close around January 13, so plan accordingly! The city is working hard to ensure that this transition goes as smoothly as possible while laying the foundation for a brighter, more bustling downtown.

McGhee Tyson Airport’s New Parking Garage

McGhee Tyson Airport, they’re celebrating their own exciting expansion as well! The airport recently closed its surface parking lot, which used to be a go-to spot for short-term parking travelers. The closure took effect on November 1, paving the way for the construction of a brand-new parking garage projected to cost around $185 million. Yes, you heard that right!

This upcoming garage is set to add an impressive 3,500 parking spaces, designed to alleviate the pressure of the airport’s growing passenger numbers. With the airport expecting to welcome over 3 million passengers this year, the need for additional parking became increasingly urgent. Groundbreaking for the project took place on November 7, and it is on track to be finished by early 2027!

Parking Solutions and Costs

To prepare for this new garage, some adjustments have been made to the parking system. They’ve recently raised prices at two of the economy lots and opened overflow options that are a bit farther from the terminal. Currently, garage parking costs $22 per day, surface terminal lots run at $16 per day, and economy lots are priced at $11 per day. With the current garage built to accommodate 2.6 million annual passengers, it’s clear that something had to be done!

As for the design of the new garage, it will feature some beautiful aesthetics inspired by the Smoky Mountains. It will be crafted by the talented teams at Gresham Smith and McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects. On top of that, it will boast a unique design that departs from the traditional rectangular look due to specific site constraints.

Looking Ahead

As the new garage opens its doors, it might even pave the way for the demolition of the existing parking garage in the 2030s! Moreover, an exciting terminal expansion will introduce six additional gates by 2029, with exciting prospects to nearly double the number of gates by 2050.

In summary, both downtown Knoxville and McGhee Tyson Airport are entering a transformation phase that promises to enhance our city and airport experience. With closures for the Pryor Brown Garage occurring next week and the ambitious new parking garage on the horizon at the airport, it’s undeniably an exciting time for our community. Stay tuned for more updates as these projects advance!