Exciting Developments in Knoxville: New Sculpture Installation and EV Charging Stations Enhancing Local Culture and Sustainability

Exciting Developments in Knoxville: New Sculpture and EV Charging Stations on the Horizon

Knoxville is buzzing with anticipation as the installation of the stunning new “Pier 865” sculpture by THEVERYMANY, a New York-based studio, begins taking shape. For those unfamiliar, this $1.2 million project has generated quite a bit of chatter as the timeline for installation seemed to stall. Originally, many of us thought installation would roll out last December, but according to the City of Knoxville’s updates, we’re now looking at a “Summer 2024” installation period.

However, after a bit of a wait, there’s finally some movement! A recent sighting of a trailer and table near the sculpture base—which was completed quite some time ago—suggests that the project might just be readying itself for liftoff. When I reached out to the city for confirmation, the ever-helpful Eric Vreeland assured me this **is indeed a positive sign**. How exciting is that?

A New Permanent Arts Piece for Knoxville

Once installed, “Pier 865” will be Knoxville’s first permanent sculpture on the .58-acre parcel since the small but memorable Treble Clef was taken down years ago. This installation promises to be a real eye-catcher, and we can expect passersby to take great delight in watching this **whimsical** curved metal canopy come together over the next several weeks.

The artist’s team will utilize scissor lifts to “gently hoist and install” the sculpture, with a grand opening of the park expected in late fall. R.J. Justice, the City’s Chief of Urban Design and Development, shared a bit about the project’s vision, stating, “We wanted to create an inviting and engaging public space at this important downtown pedestrian crossroads. This park pays tribute to Knoxville’s role in shaping country music.” Soon, it will also be a venue for music and small concerts under the trees!

Restoring Connections and Adding Greenery

This new park and sculpture installation is an excellent step toward reconnecting Gay Street—a mission that has been in progress since decades of poor development choices made it seem disconnected. Surface 678 and Hedstrom Design have played pivotal roles in bringing this **vision** to life, and there’s been considerable support from numerous organizations, including the Public Arts Committee, the City’s Urban Forestry Division, and several local businesses.

Fun fact: after some initial debate over removing mature trees from the site, the sculpture was slightly reoriented to save many of them. In fact, the project aims to preserve 12 mature trees while only needing to remove one, plus planting nine new trees this fall during the ideal planting season.

Improving Pedestrian Access

Of course, it isn’t all smooth sailing. While the park is undergoing updates, the sidewalk on the eastern side of Gay Street will remain closed. Pedestrians will need to follow new detours around the construction area. But wait—there’s even more exciting news for Knoxville residents and visitors!

New EV Charging Stations Installed

Four fast EV charging stations have recently been installed along Central Street, just behind the State Street Garage, thanks to a partnership involving KUB and TVA. These stations are part of the Fast Charge Tennessee Network, designed to fill gaps for electric vehicle (EV) charging along key corridors.

These new installations mark a significant milestone, being the **99th and 100th stations** established in this collaboration. Each charger can deliver up to 150 kilowatts per vehicle, charging at just $0.40 per kilowatt hour. Gaining a full charge typically takes **30 minutes or less**—perfect for drivers needing a quick boost while on the go!

A Commitment to Sustainability

KUB President and CEO Gabriel J. Bolas II emphasized how important these partnerships are to promoting sustainability initiatives and supporting the rise of electric vehicles. Mayor Kincannon reiterated this investment aligns perfectly with the city’s goal of creating a cleaner, greener Knoxville.

As more electric vehicles hit the roads in Tennessee, anticipated to reach 200,000 within four years, the city is on the right path toward installing charging stations every 50 miles along interstates and major highways. It’s all part of a larger movement toward reducing carbon emissions and strengthening the local economy.

It’s truly an exciting time in Knoxville as both the Pier 865 sculpture and new EV charging stations roll out, contributing significantly to our city’s culture, community, and sustainability efforts!