The development of the South Knoxville water front continues to change and expand.
Regal is one of the most visible businesses to relocate to South Knoxville, but there are many others that have opened up along Sevier Avenue including a brewing company and several coffee shops.
Owner Kevin Hill of Uncle Lem's Mountain Outfitter believes it is quickly becoming a vibrant business district.
"We made a very strong commitment to coming to South Knoxville, because we believe in the theme for what the city and the community wants to develop here," said Hill. "Quite frankly people would say I came about a year too soon but I was so committed as a personal resident and a member of this community that I wanted to be a part of help driving that story."
Down the road Honeybee Coffee celebrated their one year anniversary in January and are singing the praises of South Knoxville as well.
"Construction on the road has given us more bike lanes, walkable areas to tet to," said Honeybee manager Mickey Hanson. "There's small little speckles of positivity that the neighborhood really, really needed."
Along with businesses, the city's addition of parks and amenities is helping cast a vision for the expansion. It's a vision that began in 2006, and 12 years later has even more plans in the works.
"There is boathouse construction planned for Suttree Landing Park, that's the third phase. It would consist of a kitchenette, meeting space, but most importantly a boat dock that is accessible for those with disabilities," said City Redevelopment Director Dawn Michelle Foster.
In the coming months, the landscape on the river will continue to evolve. Mayor Rogero tweeted earlier this month about a key connection and elevator linking the existing CityView riverwalk sections under construction.
A key connection and an elevator will link the existing CityView riverwalk with new riverwalk sections under construction at One Riverwalk and 303 Flats. By the end of 2018, walk or bike a half mile of the downtown South Waterfront. https://t.co/wwDMgBdXt3 pic.twitter.com/lU3V0qXdA9
A key connection and an elevator will link the existing CityView riverwalk with new riverwalk sections under construction at One Riverwalk and 303 Flats. By the end of 2018, walk or bike a half mile of the downtown South Waterfront. https://t.co/wwDMgBdXt3 pic.twitter.com/lU3V0qXdA9
Alot of new residences will be opened along the South Waterfront in the coming months. A 303 residential apartment complex is currently being worked on.
Foster says the public riverwalk will span from Gay Street Bridge, under Henley and connect to the student housing portion and eventually city riverwalk by elevator.
A streetscapes project along Sevier Avenue is projected to begin Spring 2019.