MCCLUNG WAREHOUSE REDEVELOPMENT RFQ

The McClung Warehouse Site offers 3.4 acres across one of the last large, contiguous, vacant parcels of land in downtown Knoxville. This site presents a unique opportunity to develop a transformative, legacy-type of asset within the Knoxville real estate community.

KCDC is releasing a Request for Qualifications to identify a master developer for the redevelopment of this site located within the established Jackson Avenue / Depot Redevelopment District and within a 10-minute walk to Knoxville’s new multi-use stadium, historic Market Square, World’s Fair Park, and a 20-minute walk to the University of Tennessee’s flagship campus. The large linear urban site is well situated within a downtown, urban-grid vehicular and sidewalk network with opportunities to enhance community connectivity through the development of the site.

A public meeting was held on November 16, 2023, to raise awareness of the redevelopment of the McClung Warehouse sites and to gather input about what the community hopes to see in those spaces. Approximately 300 people participated in the feedback opportunities presented. Through meeting attendance and an online survey following the event, there were multiple methods for participation. The City of Knoxville developed a report from the data gathered. This report serves to catalogue both the materials that were on display during the event and the online survey, and summarize the collective feedback received.

From the feedback collected at the November 16 event, as well as the online survey, a few conclusions can be drawn about what the community hopes to see with the redevelopment of the West Jackson Avenue parcels.

• Connectivity + Mobility
  • The survey reveals a strong preference for walkability in the downtown core, and many of the comments collected during the input event center on improving and expanding pedestrian and bicycle connections. In tandem, several comments also reiterate the need for parking, especially as density increases, in the immediate area. Therefore, considering infrastructure that caters to a variety of transportation modes proves to be crucial to the community.
  • Access to transit also scored strongly within the voting exercise and the survey. Continuation and expanded opportunities for KAT along or near the West Jackson Avenue corridor would further bolster access and mobility.

• Building Program

  • Increased density that includes a strong presence of mixed-income residential housing is a recurring theme throughout the various avenues of feedback. Considering strategies that accommodate retail at various scales, while also activating the storefront and streetscape, could be an effective way to address this community preference.

• Open Space

  • All of the feedback avenues saw a strong preference to expand public open space opportunities. While this can take a variety of forms, the community seems to lean toward programs related to community gathering and recreation and seek spaces that cater to a variety of age and user groups. Considering a diverse and flexible approach to open spaces will serve to address this important community preference.

KCDC is implementing a two-step process in connection with selecting a developer for the redevelopment of the site. KCDC will first request qualifications from entities interested in purchasing and redeveloping the site. Submissions will be reviewed and evaluated and only the top-ranked, qualified proposals will be invited to participate in the second step where proposers will be asked to submit detailed redevelopment proposals consisting of development plans, land purchases terms, proposed project team, development timeline and other key development-related considerations. Successful development teams will demonstrate commitment to innovative context-appropriate development practices that integrate connectivity through thoughtful placemaking. Experience with urban, mixed-use developments with an emphasis on ground-floor activation and multi-story residential are preferred.

Details on how to respond and submission deadline can be found within the RFQ.

A conceptual video has been created to help orient interested parties to the city, the site, and its proximity to downtown. The buildings and site plan depicted are for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted as indicative of a preferred or favorable submission. Any companies mentioned in the video are included solely for their work in the video creation.

Link to Video: McClung Redevelopment RFQ

Direct Link to RFQ: Click to view RFQ

KCDC Procurement Site: https://www.kcdc.org/procurement/