KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — New signs have been placed by the site of the former East Towne Mall. The signs mark the home of the new East Knoxville Amazon distribution site.
Amazon announced it would open a distribution site in East Knoxville in 2021, and it originally planned to open its doors in 2022. However, the site has been empty since then. On Monday, new signs began to pop up.
A spokesperson for Amazon said internal construction on the site is still ongoing. They also said there is no official launch date, but the company aims to open the facility ahead of the 2024 holiday season.
The four parcels of land Amazon acquired for the project totaled $22.1 million. Amazon said they have invested tens of millions of dollars so far in developing the facility. Amazon did not provide an exact number for the total development cost.
Amazon said in November 2023 that the delivery station is expected to employ hundreds of people. The company also said the hiring process happens 30 days before the launch date. The station will create full-time and part-time jobs. Amazon will pay future employees between $17 per hour and $28 per hour, depending on workers' positions.