Update - February 10, 2011

Hello to everyone. I hope this year has been kind so far.

I have just a little news I thought some of you would want to know about. The 100 Block Association has now formed and I would encourage those on the 100 Block to get involved there.
Since I have now taken over the Downtown Coordinator duties, I am attending their meetings and I know your representatives there are doing some good work.

One area I heard a lot about while our construction was going on was short term parking. I am pleased to announce that we now have installed two 15 minute parking meters in the Gay Street Viaduct (see picture below) which will be enforced 24/7 including weekends. This is a switch as all parking after 6:00pm and on weekends had been free.

If this accomplishes our goals here, the thought is that we may add a few other meters around town. I have also discussed maybe having a spot or two on the Cradle of Country Music Park area parking lot.

I have also been in discussion about making the current "no parking" area on the 200 Block of S. Gay Street a Commercial Loading area. That way it would be available for parking after 6:00pm and on weekends until such time at the KAT Trolley needs that space. After attending the KAT meetings, it appears to me to be in the fall before that occurs. Of course we have also agreed to create a central space for garbage collection in this part of the 200 Block so we will need to clearly mark off that area.

Some other changes we are discussing, and I believe will happen soon, is to reduce the parking fee on the Jackson Avenue lot. I will post more on this when it happens.

The kiosks planned for the 100 Block are still being discussed and I will continue to pursue that and will let you all know when that happens. The units we hope to order are basically identical to the one installed on the Jackson Avenue parking lot.

I have been in contact with the Service Department and KPD about the dog waste situation and new signs and barrels for the waste have been installed. Everyone of the block needs to take responsibility for their pets, obviously, to help us all keep this area one of the premier spots in the City.

Below is a picture I took of the Block from the Viaduct.

As always, thanks for your interest.

Tour de Lights has been rescheduled

Tour de Lights has been rescheduled to Tuesday, December 21 at 7 p.m. due to inclement weather.The location and other details have not changed.
For more information on this year's Tour de Lights go to, http://www.knoxtrans.org/tourdelights/index.htm.
Please help us spread the word!
We’ll be passing through the 100 Block twice. You can help win the Most Welcoming Neighborhood award by being outside when the group goes by (perhaps singing carols) or decorating your balcony/building. Riders should be coming through the 100 Block the first time between 7:10 and 7:20 p.m., and the second time between 8 and 8:20 p.m. (these are very much rough estimates!)
Last year there were more than 450 bicyclists, and we expect to have many more this year. For more info, call the Bicycle Program at 215-3815 or email kelley.segars@knoxtrans.org

Construction Update- December 9, 2010

As most of you know, the 100 Block of S. Gay Street Streetscapes Project is just about finished. With the delivery and installation of the sod (see picture below) near the Cradle of Country Music Park, the work has been completed.

We are still compiling a punch list of smaller issues to be resolved but I think we can all be proud of what we accomplished here. Everyone worked together through some pretty tough times and I am grateful for all of the patience and understanding on all sides throughout this difficult project.

I attended a meeting of the 100 Block Association this week and they plan to archive this blog for future reference.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Arts & Culture Alliance Presents "Con_struct" by Aaron Shugart-Brown

Arts & Culture Alliance Presents "Con_struct"
by Aaron Shugart-Brown

(11/19/2010/Knoxville) - The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present a new exhibition entitled "Con_struct: Revisiting the 100 Block Construction Project" by Aaron Shugart-Brown, opening Wednesday, December 8, at 5:30 PM in the Balcony of the Emporium Center. In December of 2007, Shugart-Brown opened Unarmed Merchants, an artisan gallery located on the 100 Block of Gay Street in downtown Knoxville. Just fourteen months later, in February of 2009, the City of Knoxville began an extensive, eighteen-month construction project on the 100 and 200 Blocks of Gay Street to rebuild the support structures, relocate and realign all utilities, and replace surface-level streetscape features. During those eighteen months, the construction affected every aspect of Shugart-Brown's life, including business, personal relationships with family and friends, and the art he created. "Con_struct" represents the body of work created by Shugart-Brown during that time as well as abstract photographs of the construction project itself. During the time he spent adjacent to the epicenter of the 100 Block construction project, a question emerged: was there an overarching aesthetic that could be derived from the process itself? Through all of the noise, dust, and debris, Shugart-Brown challenged himself to find the raw beauty of such an intrusive element. "I wanted to get right up in the face of my assailant and document a counterpoint to the frustration I experienced," says Shugart-Brown. "Using the tools of photography, mixed media paintings, and watercolor, I wanted a new visual language to emerge that would help describe this experience. With the final phase of the 100 Block Construction ending just two weeks before my exhibition opens, I feel that this show is a good, encompassing epilogue to a story many people are glad is finished." For more information on Shugart-Brown, visit http://www.shugartbrown.com/.

For more information on the 100 Block Construction Project, visit http://100blockconstructionknox.blogspot.com.

"Con_struct" will be displayed in the Balcony at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, from December 8-23, 2010. An opening reception will take place on Wednesday, December 8, from 5:30-8:30 PM. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543 or visit http://www.knoxalliance.com/.

About the Arts & Culture Alliance

The Arts & Culture Alliance serves and supports a diverse community of artists, arts organizations, and cultural institutions. The Alliance receives financial support from the Tennessee Arts Commission (http://www.arts.state.tn.us/ ). Special thanks to
Bluegill Creative: Design and Marketing Communications (http://www.bluegillcreative.com/ ).

4th annual Tour de Lights bike ride

Please note the following unique event:

4th annual Tour de Lights bike ride
Thursday, Dec 16
Ride leaves at 7 p.m.
Krutch Park/Market St.

Join us for the 4th annual holiday bike tour of downtown Knoxville and historic neighborhoods. Riders are encouraged get creative with lights and costumes for the Decorating Contest. Hot cocoa and treats provided by Mast General Store after the ride. All ages welcome for this short, casual-paced ride. Sponsored by the City of Knoxville and the TPO Bicycle Program. More details, route and photos from past years at http://www.knoxtrans.org/tourdelights/index.htm
We’ll be passing through the 100 Block twice. You can help win the Most Welcoming Neighborhood award by being outside when the group goes by (perhaps singing carols) or decorating your balcony/building. Riders should be coming through the 100 Block the first time between 7:10 and 7:20 p.m., and the second time between 8 and 8:20 p.m. (these are very much rough estimates!)

Last year there were more than 450 bicyclists, and we expect to have many more this year. For more info, call the Bicycle Program at 215-3815 or email kelley.segars@knoxtrans.org

Construction Update- November 18, 2010

As many of you know, we have now reopened both the 100 and 200 Blocks of S. Gay Street and the trees are installed.

The above picture is of the tree delivery.

Above is a picture of the first two trees in place at Jackson Avenue.

The picture below is of the completed street. I think it looks fantastic.

Early next week the Cradle of Country Music Park area will have some work with the sod being installed. Some of the new trees were installed in this area as well.

I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving.

As always, thanks for your interest.

Construction Update- November 10, 2010

Please note the following press release:


PRESS RELEASE


The 100 Block of Gay Street will be closed beginning Monday, November 15, so crews can install about two dozen large elm trees along the street. The 200 Block will also be closed later during the week for the landscaping effort.

The work – the final phase of the Gay Street Streetscapes Project - is expected to take five days, or through November 19, to complete. The trees are 20-25 feet high and contractors will be using heavy equipment to plant them in tree wells already installed in the sidewalks.

While the street will be closed, pedestrians will still have access along the 100 and 200 blocks during the project. The work will begin on the 100 Block and travel south, toward the heart of downtown, and into the 200 block as the week progresses.

Both blocks will not be closed at the same time.

Crews with Southern Constructors began the Gay Street Streetscapes project in the spring of 2009 and over the next 15 months replaced the street and replaced and widened the sidewalks on the 100 and 200 blocks.

Contractors also renovated the bridge-like supporting structure that has held the 100 Block of Gay Street suspended one story above the original street for nearly a century and upgraded the utility infrastructure along both blocks.

Most of the work was completed by August but contractors needed to wait until the more favorable fall conditions for tree planting.


In addition, the Contractor will begin sodding the area around the Cradle of Country Music Park and will begin replanting the planter boxes. This work will finish up our project except for a few loose ends the City will begin working on.

Please don't forget the Veterans Day Parade at 10:30 on Thursday November 11, 2010. The route will once again bring the Parade down the 100 and 200 Blocks of S. Gay Street ending on Depot Street.

Thanks to everyone for their kind words and encouragement throughout this project. It was truly a team effort by all.