Tip of The Day

Don't forget to check out the Market Square Farmers' Market in downtown Knoxville for fresh produce and unique locally made goods!

A long-discussed piece of South Knoxville riverfront is moving another step closer to redevelopment.

Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, in partnership with the City of Knoxville, has opened a Request for Qualifications process to find development teams interested in transforming roughly 15 acres along the South Knoxville waterfront. The site is considered one of Knoxville’s most significant remaining riverfront redevelopment opportunities.

The property sits directly across the Tennessee River from the University of Tennessee campus and includes about 1,400 linear feet of riverfront. According to KCDC, the parcels include addresses along West Blount Avenue and Scottish Pike.

The vision is for a walkable, mixed-use development that better connects South Knoxville neighborhoods with the river, downtown Knoxville, and the UT area. Public goals include more green space, river access, public gathering areas, mixed-income housing, and development that respects the character of South Knoxville.

The effort builds on years of planning. Knoxville adopted its South Waterfront Redevelopment and Vision Plan in 2006, describing the area as part of a long-term strategy covering roughly 750 acres along three miles of the Tennessee River south of downtown and UT. The city says the broader South Waterfront effort has already included more than $61 million in public investment and $400 million in private investment.

The current redevelopment push also follows more recent community work. KCDC says the South Waterfront Advisory and Advocacy Group, formed with residents, business owners, and community leaders, has helped guide planning through meetings, surveys, roundtables, and public events. A “Down River” master plan was developed in 2025 and approved by Knoxville City Council in 2026.

One key piece of the site’s history may remain part of its future. KCDC noted that the area has supported light industrial uses, including a long connection to Jefferson Woolen Mills. The 1948 Jefferson Mills Addition building remains on the site, and officials say its preservation and reuse are envisioned as part of the redevelopment.

The project could become a major public-private redevelopment effort. Government Market News reported that the broader project could top $200 million and is connected to planning for a pedestrian and bicycle bridge linking South Knoxville with the university and downtown

For now, the next step is selecting the right development team. KCDC says responses to the RFQ are due by 11 a.m. on Aug. 7. After submissions are reviewed, top-ranked teams will be invited to submit more detailed proposals that may include purchase terms, timelines, project teams, and other development details.

Additional Memorial Day Ceremonies Outside Knoxville

5 Things Happening Around Knoxville & Blount County This Week

Memorial Day weekend may be wrapping up, but there are still plenty of ways to get out around Knoxville and Blount County this week. From free music downtown to family events, local markets, and low-key Blount County activities, here are a few things to keep on your radar.

1. Catch Free Jazz on Market Square

Knoxville’s Concerts on the Square series continues this week with free Tuesday night jazz in Market Square. The city’s seasonal series runs on Tuesday nights in May, June, and July, with music scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m.

It’s an easy weeknight outing: bring a chair, grab dinner downtown, and enjoy live music in one of Knoxville’s most familiar gathering spots.

2. Visit the Market Square Farmers Market
The Market Square Farmers Market continues its seasonal run downtown, giving shoppers a midweek and weekend chance to pick up local produce, baked goods, meats, coffee, flowers, crafts, and other regional items. Downtown Knoxville’s calendar lists the farmers market as a recurring event in Market Square, including Wednesday and Saturday dates.

For anyone looking to reset after the holiday weekend, it’s a simple way to support local growers and makers while getting outside.

3. Take the Kids to Knoxville’s Largest Kids’ Party

Families have a big event to look forward to this weekend. Knoxville’s Largest Kids’ Party is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the World’s Fair Park Performance Lawn. Organizers list activities including princesses and superheroes, an obstacle course, water slide, entertainment, a Party Pals Parade, and kid-friendly food options.

This is one of the stronger family picks of the week, especially for parents looking for something active and kid-centered after school is out.

4. Try a Blount County Library Teen Event

Blount County Public Library has several teen-focused events this week in Maryville. The county calendar lists Dungeons & Dragons for ages 13+ on Tuesday, May 26, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., plus Afterschool Teen Time on Wednesday and Thursday in the Kelly Teen Room. A Teen Karaoke Night is also listed for Thursday, May 28, from 4 to 6 p.m.

For families with teens, these are easy, local options that do not require a full weekend plan.

5. Check Out Maryville’s Local Nightlife Calendar

Blount County’s community calendar includes several Maryville events this week, including Music Trivia Night at Daisy’s on Wednesday, May 27, from 7 to 9 p.m., along with other downtown-area happenings.

It’s a good reminder that not every weeknight outing has to mean driving into Knoxville. Downtown Maryville has its own mix of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and small local events worth checking before making plans.

Whether you’re looking for a family outing, a free concert, a farmers market stop, or something low-key close to home, this week offers several easy ways to keep the summer momentum going around Knoxville and Blount County.

South Knoxville Business Momentum Continues Along Chapman Highway

South Knoxville’s growth story is not limited to the riverfront.

While major redevelopment plans along the Tennessee River continue to draw attention, smaller business activity is also helping shape the area’s neighborhood corridors. One example is along and near Chapman Highway, where local restaurants, gathering spaces, and independent businesses are adding new energy to South Knoxville.

Recent coverage from Inside of Knoxville highlighted Chef Mo’s Cafe and South Knox Event Space at 131 E. Moody Ave. as part of a broader look at businesses developing around the Chapman Highway corridor.

The location points to a larger trend: South Knoxville’s momentum is spreading beyond large-scale projects. Instead of growth happening only through major developments, smaller commercial pockets are becoming part of the area’s identity. Cafes, event spaces, neighborhood restaurants, and local service businesses can help create places where residents gather, visitors stop, and nearby streets feel more active.

That matters because Chapman Highway has long been one of South Knoxville’s main routes, connecting downtown Knoxville with neighborhoods, parks, schools, businesses, and communities farther south. As more attention turns to South Knoxville, the corridor’s smaller business districts could play an important role in how the area grows.

For residents, these changes can mean more nearby dining options, event spaces, and neighborhood destinations without having to cross the river into downtown. For business owners, the activity signals continued interest in South Knoxville as a place to invest, open, and build a local customer base.

The growth also fits into a broader conversation about South Knoxville’s future. Riverfront redevelopment may bring larger projects, but places like Chapman Highway and Moody Avenue show how neighborhood-scale businesses are already contributing to the area’s evolution.

As South Knoxville continues to change, the most important stories may not all come from big construction sites. Some will come from the local cafes, small venues, and independent businesses helping define the community one storefront at a time.

Quote Of The Day

"Knoxville is a national economy in miniature." - William E. Brock

Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool Reopens for the Season

Summer pool season is back in Oak Ridge.

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool reopened Friday, May 22, with special hours for Memorial Day weekend. The reopening gives local families another warm-weather option for swimming, relaxing, and spending time outside as summer gets underway.

Before heading over, visitors should check the latest city updates for current hours and any schedule changes. Oak Ridge notes that pool areas may close at times depending on weather, attendance, staffing, activities, or special events.

For families looking for an easy day close to home, the outdoor pool is once again an option for cooling off without making a full-day trip out of town.

Weekday Smokies Hikers Should Plan Around Bullhead Trail Closure

Planning a weekday hike in the Smokies? Be sure to check your route before heading out.

Bullhead Trail is closed Monday through Thursday through Nov. 19, excluding federal holidays, while crews continue rehabilitation work in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The closure is especially important for hikers planning routes near the Gatlinburg side of the park or considering a weekday trip toward Mount LeConte. Weekend access may still be available, but conditions and schedules can change, so it’s a good idea to check the park’s latest trail updates before leaving.

For locals and visitors, the takeaway is simple: build in a backup plan, start early, and confirm trail status before making the drive.

Market Square Outdoor Alcohol Pilot Could Begin This Summer