Mum’s the official word, but we’re ready to announce a super big project for Powell. State Rep. Michele Carringer alluded to it at this week’s meeting of the Powell Business & Professional Association.
Look for a pedestrian bridge over Beaver Creek along Brickyard Road to connect Emory Road with Powell Drive. The estimated $1 million project will be funded with a multimodal access grant through the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and requires a county match.
Since Knox County initially applied for the grant, the match should be covered. With Mayor Glenn Jacobs as the June 13 PBPA speaker, Carringer asked if they could “announce that connectivity project?” Since the pedestrian bridge is the only connectivity project on the drawing board, we feel safe to say it’s going to happen, although nobody’s issued a press release.
Jacobs congratulated the Powell community for another successful Beaver Creek flotilla and commended the PBPA for its support of local parks and greenways. Knox County has budgeted work at the tennis courts behind Powell Middle School, but no date has been set for construction. The project could include resurfacing, striping for pickleball and installation of basketball goals. The tennis courts are not part of Knox County Schools, but are maintained by Knox County Parks & Rec.
Dr. Don Wegener is working closely with Parks & Rec to install outdoor exercise equipment along the Powell greenway/sidewalk. The purchase would be made through the Travis Wegener memorial fund, a project of the PBPA that is supported by the annual Tennessee Valley Mustang Club Car Show. Equipment would be maintained by Parks & Rec.
This good fortune is the result of many businesses and individuals working together to achieve community goals. And that is the ultimate connectivity project.
Sandra Clark is editor/CEO of Knox TN Today Inc.