Aug. 25, 2026
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) and the City of Knoxville are inviting the community to attend a family-friendly block party to share ideas and help shape the future of the former Public Safety Building site adjacent to the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum (KCAC).
The outdoor event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 800 Howard Baker Jr. Ave. It is free and open to the public and will include opportunities to engage with the site’s past, present and future. The event will include food and beverage vendors and activities for children and adults.
“This is a great opportunity for residents and businesses to connect with neighbors and help shape the future of this important site,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “We want public input to create a vision that serves the whole community.”
The site, just east of downtown, was formerly the headquarters for the Knoxville Police Department, which operated out of the Public Safety Building for more than 55 years before moving in 2023 to a new Public Safety Complex in North Knoxville. The old building was demolished to make way for new investment, and the site is now vacant.
“We want to take a thoughtful, strategic approach to the future of this key site, which could build on the revitalization already happening across Knoxville,” said Rebekah Jane Justice, the City of Knoxville’s chief of urban design and development. “Located next to the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum and within walking distance of downtown, Morningside Park, the Knoxville Station Transit Center and several residential neighborhoods, the property has significant potential to benefit the city.”
Free parking, including accessible parking, will be available onsite for the event. Free overflow parking will be available in KCAC garages A and C. The event is a short walk from the KAT bus transit center, and bicycle racks will be available for attendees who travel by bike.
More information and a parking map can be found online at kcdc.org/hillavenueinput.
The event offers an initial opportunity for the public to contribute ideas, early thoughts and any potential concerns.
A subsequent community meeting will be scheduled for fall 2026 with further opportunity for feedback.
KCDC serves as the redevelopment agency for the City of Knoxville and has redeveloped key sites from Historic Market Square and the South Waterfront to the former St. Mary’s Hospital site that now houses the new Public Safety Complex.
About Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation
Since 1936, KCDC has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Knoxville and Knox County. KCDC’s mission is to collaborate with the Knoxville community to create and preserve housing options and strengthen neighborhoods. KCDC provides quality affordable housing, advances development initiatives and fosters self-sufficiency. For more information, call 865-403-1100 or visit kcdc.org.
