KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The new pilot program will restrict car traffic on Gay Street on the 400 block between Wall and Union Avenue.
This section which runs from the Mast General Store to Cruze Farm, will be open to pedestrians from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Nov. 10 & 11, Nov. 17 & 18 and Dec. 8 & 9, Dec. 15 & 16.
"We're very excited about it," Ian Roach, general manager of Suttree's High Gravity Tavern, said. "Weather might be a factor, but I think overall, it can't hurt. It'll be a lot of fun."
He said that some downtown business owners can benefit from this plan.
"I think the pedestrian traffic is better for any business," Roach said. "I think if you see it in a car, you might not make it back. But if you're on foot, you might just step right in the door."
Others feel that the decision will not have an effect on their work.
"Who does that help?" Julie Boisseau-Craig, an artist at the Art Market Gallery, said. "People are already walking on the sidewalks here in the evenings, they don't have a problem walking. And most of the businesses close right around seven or eight. So that makes no sense either."
She also brought up concerns about traffic.
"Some of these little alleys that we have to turn around, you know, turn down to get around and maneuver downtown are not really accessible easily," Boisseau said. "So Gay Street is our main thoroughfare you block it off. It just it's a no-win situation in my book."
Others in Knoxville say the traffic may not be as big of an issue as people think.
"I'm for it, you know, might as well try it out," Braxton Kinlaw said. "See how it goes. You know, it's only one block it's not like it's gonna be hard or a big hindrance to traffic."
The mayor said the idea comes from watching cities around the world like Paris, New York, and even Nashville becoming more pedestrian-friendly.
"We are excited to see how residents and visitors utilize this space during these pilot weekends," Kincannon said.
The city said they'll use the program to decide if this can happen on a more regular basis and if other city streets may be opened as well.
"I'd love to see in the future, having a lot more often if not permanently," Roach said. "If it's okay with the other businesses, of course."