MARKET STREET & UNION AVENUE SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS

SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS Market & Union Streetscape [JPG] Market Street Option A [JPG] Market Street Option B [JPG] Union Avenue Option A [JPG] Union Avenue Option B [JPG] NEWS RELEASES: 08/24/09 - City to Host Public Meeting Regarding Sidewalk Improvements Anne Wallace Cumberland Avenue Project Manager awallace@cityofknoxville.org Room 656, City County Building 865-215-2644 Fax: 865-215-3035 City Public Works and the department of Policy and Communications have recognized the need for improvements on portions of these sidewalks to support economic development in the downtown core and to create aesthetically pleasing streetscapes that are accessible for all users. In order to accomplish this, the city selected Hedstrom Design, a local landscape architecture firm to develop design concepts balancing these complex issues. The project limits are the sections of sidewalk on Market Street between Cumberland Avenue and Church Street and on Union Avenue between Gay Street and Market Street. Hedstrom Design has put together two options (A & B) for each section of sidewalk including new street cross sections, on street parking, street trees, wider sidewalks with decorative treatments, and some decorative fencing for an area adjacent to a parking lot. These designs were presented and discussed at a public meeting on September 1st, at the East Tennessee History Center at 6:30 pm. There were approximately 40 people in attendance and the general consensus of the meeting was to support the consultant’s recommendation for Option A for both Market St. and Union Ave. Additional work will be done to specify trees that will not block views into retail establishments, determine the best location for trees and consider lighting typology and location for each street. The city will continue to take comments on the proposed design via e-mail through September 11, 2009. Please send any comments or questions to awallace@cityofknoxville.org.