KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Wednesday morning, the City of Knoxville announced leaders made a step in their plans for a pedestrian bridge stretching from the University of Tennessee campus to South Knoxville.
The city bought a $9 million plot of land on the south side of the river, on W. Blount Ave. Leaders like Mayor Indya Kincannon and Randy Boyd, the UT System President, said the bridge can stand as a visual and symbolic connector of the two communities and has the opportunity for greenways, river-front development and housing.
But some people living in the South Knoxville area have concerns about the project, including uncertainty of the plan, and how it could impact neighborhoods.
Lisa Horn lives in South Knoxville and represents her community by serving as a representative for the Island Home Park neighborhood for the South Knoxville Neighborhood and Business Coalition.
"Number one, we're not exactly sure what the plans are," Horn said. "The Scottish Pike area residents are worried about being displaced. Vestal is worried about encroachment as well."
The bridge would connect to Thompson-Boling Arena. Horn said although the neighborhood loves the university, they are uncertain what the school's involvement would mean for the neighborhood.
Thomas Egan is also a South Knoxville resident and represents the South Knoxville neighborhood on the Neighborhood Advisory Council to the Mayor. He's also the president of the South Haven Neighborhood.
He says he's heard from neighbors who are concerned about UT coming over the bridge and into the area. He says they're worried about traffic, and the area becoming populated with students. On the extreme end, some are fearful the area could become like Fort Sanders.
According to Eric Vreeland, the city's Deputy Director of Communications, the project will come at an estimated cost of $55 million to $60 million. The state has granted $20 million in funding, and city leaders are optimistic they will get an additional $25 million in federal funding. Federal leaders passed on the project during a previous round of applications.
Some in the south Knoxville community, and others, are concerned about the cost.
"I still believe that having that pedestrian connection from the UT campus to the western part of the South waterfront is a goal worth pursuing," said Joe Hultquist, a former city council member. "My concern is the cost of that bridge given current conditions and projections. I'm afraid that cost will be exorbitant. Given that concern, I believe we need to explore creative alternatives."