Knoxville residents will have a chance to enjoy a community block party — and have a say in the future of a key piece of property just east of downtown.
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation and the City of Knoxville will host a free, family-friendly block party and community input session Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 800 Howard Baker Jr. Ave.
The event will give residents and businesses an opportunity to share ideas about the future of the former Public Safety Building site, located adjacent to the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum.
The outdoor gathering is free and open to the public and will include opportunities to explore the site’s past, present and future. Food and beverage vendors will be on hand, along with activities for children and adults.
“This is a great opportunity for residents and businesses to connect with neighbors and help shape the future of this important site,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “We want public input to create a vision that serves the whole community.”
The property was home to Knoxville Police Department headquarters for more than 55 years. KPD moved in 2023 to the new Public Safety Complex in North Knoxville, and the former Public Safety Building was demolished. The site is now vacant.
City officials see considerable potential for the property because of its location near downtown and several other community assets.
“We want to take a thoughtful, strategic approach to the future of this key site, which could build on the revitalization already happening across Knoxville,” said Rebekah Jane Justice, the City of Knoxville’s chief of urban design and development. “Located next to the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum and within walking distance of downtown, Morningside Park, the Knoxville Station Transit Center and several residential neighborhoods, the property has significant potential to benefit the city.”
Free parking, including accessible parking, will be available onsite. Free overflow parking will be available in Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum garages A and C. The location is a short walk from the KAT bus transit center, and bicycle racks will be available.
The Sept. 12 event is the first opportunity for the public to offer ideas, early thoughts and potential concerns about the property. Another community meeting is planned for fall 2026 to provide additional opportunities for feedback.
KCDC serves as the redevelopment agency for the City of Knoxville and has been involved in redevelopment projects ranging from Historic Market Square and the South Waterfront to the former St. Mary’s Hospital site, now home to the Public Safety Complex.
Since 1936, KCDC has worked to enhance the quality of life in Knoxville and Knox County. Its mission includes creating and preserving housing options, strengthening neighborhoods, providing affordable housing, advancing development initiatives and fostering self-sufficiency.
For more information about the Sept. 12 event, visit KCDC’s Hill Avenue input page. You can also reach KCDC at 865-403-1100.
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