Nov. 11, 2026
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) and the City of Knoxville will host an information session for community members to view site plans and design concepts and meet the multidisciplinary team selected to shape the next chapter of the former McClung Warehouses site on West Jackson Avenue.
The event, which is open to the public, will take place on Monday, Nov. 30, from 4:30-7 p.m. at The Standard, located at 416 W. Jackson Ave., across the street from the former warehouse site in the 400-500 block of West Jackson Avenue. Renderings of the plans will be available to view at the meeting.
“After robust public engagement about the future of the McClung Warehouses site, I’m excited for residents to see how their priorities have been drawn into renderings and plans,” Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said. “I can’t wait to see this prime piece of Knoxville real estate come back to life.”
The first of the McClung Warehouses, also known as the Philco Warehouses, were built in 1893 to supply hardware stores across the region. The historic warehouses were destroyed on Feb. 7, 2007, when an early morning fire, fanned by high winds, swept across the site. Firefighters worked for several days to extinguish the flames, and the damage was so extensive that the structures ultimately had to be demolished.
KCDC and the City gathered public input on the best uses for the property through in-person feedback and online surveys, which drew more than 300 responses.
A Nov. 16, 2023, public session identified goals for a mixed-use redevelopment with mixed-income housing, commercial and/or public space, walking and biking connections and adequate parking.
“This 3.4-acre linear site offers a unique opportunity to create a mixed-use redevelopment with walkability to the Old City, Market Square, World’s Fair Park and Covenant Health Park,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “We put great diligence into the recruitment, qualification and proposal process to select a team with the talent and experience to deliver on the public’s main goals. We hope you’ll join us to see the design concepts.”
KCDC issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a master developer in the first quarter of 2025, then invited proposals from qualified developers selected through the competitive process.
As the redevelopment agency for the City of Knoxville, KCDC establishes and maintains redevelopment areas, facilitates public private partnerships, acquires and disposes of real property, and partners with the City on the evaluation and implementation of development incentives, including Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements.
KCDC has had success with redevelopment initiatives, including World’s Fair Park, Gay Street, South Waterfront, Historic Market Square and the ongoing redevelopment at the former St. Mary’s Hospital site.
More information about the McClung Warehouses redevelopment on Jackson Avenue can be found online at kcdc.org/mcclung.
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.
