MCCLUNG WAREHOUSE REDEVELOPMENT ON JACKSON AVENUE

Project Overview

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 sought 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.

Community Engagement

A public meeting was held on Nov. 16, 2023, to raise awareness of the redevelopment of the McClung Warehouse site 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 Nov. 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.

Click here to view the City of Knoxville Summary Report on the public process.

Site Redevelopment RFQ

KCDC implemented a two-step process to select a developer for the site. KCDC first requested qualifications from entities interested in purchasing and redeveloping the site. Submissions were reviewed and evaluated and the top-ranked, qualified proposals were invited to participate in the second step, where proposers were asked to submit detailed redevelopment proposals consisting of development plans, land purchase terms, proposed project team, development timeline and other key development-related considerations. Successful development teams demonstrated 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 were preferred.