KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville City Council met Tuesday to vote on several agenda items, mostly focused on development projects across the city.
The largest one is expected to cost the city around $1.5 million to build and repair sidewalks located along Lancaster Drive and Sevierville Pike in South Knoxville. The work is expected to be completed within 150 days starting from when the city issues a Notice to Proceed.
As part of the project, the Knoxville Utilities Board will also provide around $484,735 in funding for water and wastewater improvements included in the construction contract.
It is with Southern Constructors Inc, according to the resolution. Crews would build sidewalks connecting existing sidewalks on Taylor Road and Sevierville Pike. The sidewalks near Taylor Road already run along school access for South-Doyle Middle School.
The project hopes to connect the school with restaurants and other neighborhood anchors, making the area more navigable for residents. The area will also service a bus line with Knoxville Area Transit, and crews will build a bus shelter pad for the existing KAT Route 40.
The city council also discussed a $1.6 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation to help fund the Sevier Avenue Streetscapes Project.
The project is expected to extend from Davenport Road to a new roundabout at Sevier Avenue, Foggy Bottom Street and Island Home Avenue intersections. It will also add new improvements and utility relocations along Sevier Avenue.
The City of Knoxville will need to pay $400,783 for the Sevier Avenue project, with the rest paid for by the state grant. Construction on the project is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2023, according to grant documents from the city.