City Council adds parking garage to Cumberland Avenue plan
Knoxville City Council passes a resolution to boost public parking spaces on The Strip.
The Knoxville City Council approved a redevelopment plan that will provide more public parking for citizens visiting Cumberland Avenue at its meeting on Sept. 16.
The developers plan to build a public parking garage that allows more citizens easy access to Cumberland Avenue, with a Car Park Deck Coating service for added protection. Car parks and walkways should also have the proper crosswalks and walkway markings to make these spaces safer.
City of Knoxville Project Manager Anne Wallace cites the amount of privately owned parking lots as a reason why citizens want more public parking.
“That surface parking is very sporadic in its enforcement of rules and regulations,” Wallace said. “What happens is a lot of people come down to the area, park, feel like they’ve paid to park or parked in an appropriate area, then find themselves towed.”
The plan estimates the cost of the garage will be $15 million, excluding the property costs. Also, the plan states the garage would provide 500 to 800 spaces for customers of all businesses.
|
Approximate Price of Garage (excluding land) |
Parking Spots |
Price per Spot |
|
$15 million |
500 spots |
$30,000 |
|
$15 million |
800 spots |
$18,750 |
While Wallace is unsure of the location of the garage, she says that a new form code will keep the garage from fronting Cumberland Avenue. However, she sees that as a positive for the project.
“It will really help to provide better urban form and help support the district year-round,” Wallace said.
The plan is to provide free parking on nights and weekends. In addition, the city wants to charge a flat rate for Tennessee football games, but Wallace is concerned about its abuse.
“The reason for [the flat rate] is just to help regulate and not have people take advantage of that resource inappropriately by setting up weeks in advance or staying there for days at a time,” Wallace said.
The garage will enhance parking on Cumberland Avenue and combine with the Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project to revitalize the area for Tennessee students and Knoxville citizens alike. For more information on the project, click here.
Edited by Jessica Carr
