I recently wrote a post about the possibility for a development corridor along Depot Avenue which would effectively extend the footprint of what we consider the downtown area. An alert reader (Katie, I think) noted the unfortunate fact that Depot is interrupted by James White Parkway, one of the self-imposed boundaries to the city. In fact, just east of the White Lily building, which was my starting point for considering development to the west toward Broadway, the road ends as it hits the embankment which leads up to the Parkway.
Shaft and I decided to investigate. I smelled mystery and perhaps adventure. I think he smelled a cold beverage, but more of that later.
To follow the street further to the east, one has to turn south and walk a long block across the railroad tracks to Jackson. Left for two blocks on Jackson takes you under the Parkway and to Humes. Take that northward back across the tracks and you find yourself on Depot once again and standing next to the Fireproof Storage Building with its graffiti project which I discussed here and followed up in another post with great pictures from Caroline Carter (are you still out there? An update?). As I probably stated then, this spot does not feel like a safe place on a weekend as it is pretty much abandoned. Footsteps echo from the sides of warehouses. Sidewalks are crumbled.
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| Knoxville Opera Company, 612 E. Depot, Knoxville |
Our first surprise as we walked was to find one of the most sophisticated organizations in the city housed on what seems like a desolate block. An attractive awning in front of the building just to the east of the Fireproof Building was emblazoned with elaborate lettering announcing “Knoxville Opera.” I understand that an opera company doesn’t have a large budget and that the rent on a building in this section of town must be modest. Still, I was surprised to find them in such rough surroundings.
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| Marble City Brewing Company, 708 East Depot, Knoxville |
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| Knox Bike Co-op, 708 East Depot, Knoxville |
The next block offered even more in the way of refuge for weary travelers: Marble City Brewing Company‘s headquarters and their tasting room, The Quary. Housed in a humble, though not unattractive, brick building, and situated next to an alley which announced the “Knox Bike Co-op.” It is located in the basement of Marble City Brewing Company. Apparently they are open two days a week to teach people to repair bicycles and they accept bicycle-related donations. To what end, I’m not sure. They were closed, so the only logical next step was to investigate The Quary.
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| Shaft laughs with the bartender, Marble City Brewing, Knoxville |
Immediately upon passing through the front door everyone at the bar greeted us. They assured us they had just decided that the next person through the door would buy a round for everyone. A bit of nervous laughter and patter later we decided it was a running gag. We heard them play it out on the next several people to enter.
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| The Quary at Marble City Brewing Company, Knoxville |
The gathered crowd was a friendly bunch and we sat with them as Shaft tried a sample and got his bratwurst fix. A football game played on a television suspended from the wall behind the bar. It could be heard intermittently as the laughter and good-natured bickering died down. The back wall was designed to duplicate the photograph displayed of the original Marble City Brewing Company located in the Old City over one hundred years ago.
Laughter and good wishes followed us out the door as dusk arrived and we felt the need to begin the walk back into the center city. A final surprise awaited behind the building as we caught sight of a large garage with a boat inside, a truck parked outside and other signs of domestic life such as a grill perched on a second floor landing. It wouldn’t be my first choice of a homestead, but obviously it suits someone’s domestic needs.
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| Home behind Marble City Brewing Company, Knoxville |
That’s as far as we made it down the other side of Depot. It’s hard to imagine that section being a vibrant part of the city but, even there, small slivers of life have burst through the concrete. Of course, there is plenty of economic activity of other sorts, such as storage and Lay’s Market which I’ve also written about previously. It’s an interesting walk. I’d suggest daytime and with company as the best approach.