John Ewart, executive director of Associated General Contractors Knoxville region, was all smiles as students, builders, donors and veterans gathered to dedicate 20 tiny houses at Hero’s Hill, Liberty Street in Knoxville, Tennessee.
John called it “a special day.”
As a U.S. Navy veteran, Ewart said the project had an even deeper personal meaning for him.
“I was especially proud to see the AGC Knoxville Region recognized as a contributing partner in bringing Hero’s Hill to life. This project is a great example of what can happen when our construction community, local government, schools and community partners come together around a shared mission.”
John said a lot of people – probably hundreds – pulled together to get this community built. Land is available for expansion, but he’s not heard about another round.
Mayor Glenn Jacobs initiated the project. He asked Ewart to round up some AGC leaders to explore what could be done. Jacobs wanted to involve high school students with industry mentors to help the kids learn hand-on skills.
John Ewart led efforts to find AGC mentors at six schools. The mentors were in place when school started last year. In all, over 20 AGC members volunteered to help, either as mentors or as workers to get the job done.
Buck Coatney, former Fulton High teacher and football coach now with KCS, coordinated with six high schools that had related classes through Superintendent Jon Rysewyk’s initiative 865 Academies. Read about the Farragut High program here.
Cara Knapp, principal architect with OYSK3 Architects, 1545 Western Ave., Knoxville, was already an AGC board member. And she had experience working on tiny homes in another city. Her role was crucial to getting the project underway.
D.R. Horton’s Knoxville office agreed to handle supplies and materials. “They pulled materials together and got them out to the schools,” said Ewart.
Nick Lawrence, AGC board president, brought The Christman Company to build the clubhouse and landscape the grounds. The clubhouse contains washer/dryer, computer lab, weight room, kitchen and more. Each tiny home is one level with a bathroom, bedroom, living room and kitchen.
The six high schools that participated were Farragut, Fulton, Gibbs, Halls, Karns and South-Doyle.
The homes are not intended for permanent use, Ewart said. When the veterans are stabilized, counselors will work with them to explore training, jobs, etc.
“No one person was bigger than another,” Ewart said. He worked for St. Mary’s Medical Center and oversaw the north hospital being built, but “seeing this come together was special.”
R.I.P. – Leaders
Danny Turley
Danny Douglas Turley passed away at UT Medical Center on August 26, 2026, at age 72. He served as mayor of Rutledge, Tennessee, for 13 years. He also served Grainger County and surrounding areas through his hauling and excavating business. He is survived by his wife of 56-years, Darlene Turley, their sons Rob and Mark and their families. The obituary is here.
Dale Smith
Dale Edward Smith, 73, passed away on August 27, 2026, in Knoxville. He was the head of the Knoxville-Knox County Public Building Authority (PBA) during a period of high growth. He grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, attended the University of Wisconsin and served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a captain. His business career was in public relations, business and development. The family plans a private gathering of close friends. The obituary is here.
The history of the PBA
Dale E. Smith had a 16-year tenure in a pressure-packed job as administrator of the Public Building Authority. He announced in July 2015 that he would retire effective January 1, 2016.
Jayne Burritt
A week later, mayors Madeline Rogero and Tim Burchett recommended PBA’s director of property management, Jayne Burritt, for the top job. The PBA board paused its announced national search, hired Burritt and she remains in that position today.
Burritt had joined the PBA in early 2008 and helped oversee security and maintenance for about 1.5 million square feet of facilities, including parking garages, World’s Fair Park and the City County Building. She was over roughly 100 employees and a $12 million budget.
Under Mr. Smith, the PBA was tasked with massive projects including construction of the Knoxville Convention Center. In all, the PBA during Smith’s tenure managed and completed some $500 million in construction projects for the city and county. The Convention Center and related World’s Fair Park projects were completed in 2003.
Other projects included: the East Tennessee Historical Center expansion and renovation, Regal Riviera Cinema, Hardin Valley Academy high school, Powell Middle School renovation, Knoxville Station Transit Center, as well as a number of senior centers and branch libraries constructed for Knox County.
Although PBA remains an option for local government construction projects, its role under Burritt has shifted to property management. Her administrative team: Alex Fusaro is chief operating officer; Kristin Lee Grove is director of property development; David Lively is director of property maintenance; Thomas Dyer is director of information technology; and CPA Robyn K. Smith is director of finance. Heather Anderson chairs the 11-member board. Knox County appoints six members and the city of Knoxville appoints five.
PBA currently manages over 2 million square feet of buildings for the city and county. With 165 employees, PBA oversees maintenance, grounds, security and custodial activities for most locations under its management. PBA also manages some 26 public parking garages and lots. In addition, PBA manages 18 phone systems for the city and county with some 4,100 extensions.
The Knoxville-Knox County Public Building Authority has spawned dozens of baby PBAs across the state, but if memory serves, we were the first. In 1971, then-state Sen. Brown Ayres wrote and carried a bill to create the PBA as a way to finance public construction like the City County Building. Jim Haslam was the founding board chair. Chicken or egg?
Ayres’ family ran Cumberland Securities, a firm which sold bonds and arranged public-project financing. Jim Haslam was bold enough to try something that hadn’t been done before.
Notes & quotes
City of Knoxville seeks applicants to serve on the Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC). Applications are due on Thursday, September 18, 2026, by 4:30 p.m. Learn more at city’s website or contact Debbie Sharp at dsharp@knoxvilletn.gov.
Jay Leno will be at the Tennessee Theatre on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets here.
Legacy Luncheon for the Parks is Friday, September 25, 2026, with speaker Conor Knighton, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent and author of a book about his visits to all U.S. national parks. The event is at Johnson University from 11:30-1 p.m. Ticket info here.
Quote: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” — Henry Ford
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Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes daily at KnoxTNToday – the Let’s Talk series includes topics of law, neighbors, schools, leaders and outdoors. Enjoyed this article? Read more Let’s Talk – Leaders by Sandra Clark.
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