City Invests to Save Energy, Make Accessibility Upgrades, Rehab Historic Storefront

City Council this evening authorized agreements to install energy-efficient indoor and outdoor lighting at 75 City-owned facilities and solar arrays at five City facilities.

Council also approved funds for a Holston River Park ADA accessible boat launch ($500,000), repairs from water damage at the Knoxville Convention Center ($700,000), and accessibility and safety improvements to the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall promenade (total budget, $1.48 million).

Also moving forward: A $300,000 public-private investment that will transform a blighted, empty 1930s grocery store at 325 E. Anderson Ave. into Kelvin Scott Violins’ new workshop. The City is providing $50,000 through its Historic Preservation and Façade Improvement Program.

Council supported Mayor Indya Kincannon’s initiative to invest approximately $4.4 million in energy savings while reducing carbon emissions. The investment is guaranteed to pay for itself within 12 years while shrinking the City’s carbon footprint by 1,373 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually.

The Trane contract calls for installing energy-efficient indoor and outdoor lighting at dozens of City-owned facilities while installing solar arrays at the new Burlington fire station, the downtown fire station, Fleet Services’ Heavy Shop, the Public Safety Complex, and KAT’s Knoxville Station.

City Council approved the 2026-27 annual budget proposed by the Downtown Knoxville Alliance, which was approved earlier by DKA’s board.

The more than $1.2 million pooled by property owners in the downtown core will be used to supplement City services. DKA funds go toward business support and marketing, event sponsorships, beautification projects, and Visit Knoxville’s Ambassador program.

On first of two ordinance readings, City Council also approved amending City Code to shift responsibility for oversight of vehicles for hire – wreckers, taxis, limousines, pedal carriages, pedicabs and low-speed vehicles, such as golf carts used for commercial purposes – from the Police Department to Fleet Services.

The ordinance aims to ensure the safety of vehicles used for public transportation. Council agreed that it makes sense to have Fleet Services personnel perform the annual inspections and oversee the wreckers that tow vehicles to Fleet Services’ Vehicle Impoundment Lot, freeing up police officers for other duties.