City of Knoxville, TN
09/01/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/01/2026 19:22
LMU Enhances Public Green Space at St. Mary's
Knoxville City Council tonight formally expressed its thanks to Lincoln Memorial University for donating more than $1 million worth of design and construction services in enhancing public green space on the Historic St. Mary's Hospital campus in North Knoxville.
LMU's investment in a neighborhood-serving green quadrangle next to its College of Dental Medicine is just the latest in a series of investments, totaling $120 million, in the former St. Mary's Hospital site.
LMU's dental college opened in 2022, followed by the City's Public Safety Complex the next year. Then, in May 2024, the McNabb Center opened its EmPATH facility.
Coming next is Dominion Group's $70 million Riella at Oakwood, an affordable housing community of 21 new townhomes and a mix of 109 new 1-, 2- and 3-bedoom apartments. Equally dramatic: The project also preserves the stately, marble-accented 97-year-old original St. Mary's Hospital building, which is being converted into 40 accessible senior apartments.
The City invested $2 million from its Affordable Rental Development Fund to support the Riella at Oakwood project and make it financially feasible.
"This is a great example of local government, housing and health-care partners, and community members coming together to create something meaningful, permanent and good," Mayor Indya Kincannon said.
"The St. Mary's campus was at risk of staying vacant and blighted, but in just a few years, it's becoming a community hub with a dental school, affordable housing, a variety of health services, and Police, Fire and City Court offices. We appreciate LMU turning this empty lawn into a welcoming entry for the campus and community."
In other business at City Council's Tuesday meeting:
Employee compensation study
Council authorized Mayor Kincannon to execute an agreement with Midwest Series of Lockton Companies to evaluate the salaries and benefits of City employees to ensure they are equitable and competitive.
Compensation studies, according to City Code, are to be conducted every five years. Lockton's proposal to conduct the study for $239,000 was deemed the most responsive and responsible of 11 submitted proposals.
Legacy Parks
The City is increasing its annual support of Legacy Parks Foundation by $50,000 - for a new annual agreement of $125,000.
Legacy Parks assists the City in preserving areas to allow for the expansion of parks, creation of trails and greenways, and improved connectivity and access to rivers and streams.
Most recently, Legacy Parks negotiated easements for the new Sue Clancy Greenway in Fountain City - a key mile-long "missing link" greenway that connects Adair Park and residents living north of I-640 / Broadway with neighborhoods and destinations south of Sharp's Ridge.
Legacy Parks also has recently acquired 27 acres off Merchant Drive for trail development; acquired property adjacent to Inskip Pool and Park to increase the footprint of the park; improved access to the Tennessee, Holston and French Broad rivers with kayak launches; and worked on the SoKno Rail Trail and Art Walk easements.
Alfred Buffat Homestead
Council authorized Mayor Kincannon to allocate $100,000 from the City's Residential Historic Preservation Program to the Preserves at Loves Creek.
The Preserves at Loves Creek development will save, restore and relocate the blighted Alfred Buffat Homestead - built in 1867 - from 1717 to1707 Loves Creek Road.
The historic home will be rehabilitated and sold as a single-family residence. The former site, 1717 Loves Creek Road, will be redeveloped into multi-family housing - creating additional housing options in Northeast Knoxville.
LMU's investment in a neighborhood-serving green quadrangle next to its College of Dental Medicine is just the latest in a series of investments, totaling $120 million, in the former St. Mary's Hospital site.
LMU's dental college opened in 2022, followed by the City's Public Safety Complex the next year. Then, in May 2024, the McNabb Center opened its EmPATH facility.
Coming next is Dominion Group's $70 million Riella at Oakwood, an affordable housing community of 21 new townhomes and a mix of 109 new 1-, 2- and 3-bedoom apartments. Equally dramatic: The project also preserves the stately, marble-accented 97-year-old original St. Mary's Hospital building, which is being converted into 40 accessible senior apartments.
The City invested $2 million from its Affordable Rental Development Fund to support the Riella at Oakwood project and make it financially feasible.
"This is a great example of local government, housing and health-care partners, and community members coming together to create something meaningful, permanent and good," Mayor Indya Kincannon said.
"The St. Mary's campus was at risk of staying vacant and blighted, but in just a few years, it's becoming a community hub with a dental school, affordable housing, a variety of health services, and Police, Fire and City Court offices. We appreciate LMU turning this empty lawn into a welcoming entry for the campus and community."
In other business at City Council's Tuesday meeting:
Employee compensation study
Council authorized Mayor Kincannon to execute an agreement with Midwest Series of Lockton Companies to evaluate the salaries and benefits of City employees to ensure they are equitable and competitive.
Compensation studies, according to City Code, are to be conducted every five years. Lockton's proposal to conduct the study for $239,000 was deemed the most responsive and responsible of 11 submitted proposals.
Legacy Parks
The City is increasing its annual support of Legacy Parks Foundation by $50,000 - for a new annual agreement of $125,000.
Legacy Parks assists the City in preserving areas to allow for the expansion of parks, creation of trails and greenways, and improved connectivity and access to rivers and streams.
Most recently, Legacy Parks negotiated easements for the new Sue Clancy Greenway in Fountain City - a key mile-long "missing link" greenway that connects Adair Park and residents living north of I-640 / Broadway with neighborhoods and destinations south of Sharp's Ridge.
Legacy Parks also has recently acquired 27 acres off Merchant Drive for trail development; acquired property adjacent to Inskip Pool and Park to increase the footprint of the park; improved access to the Tennessee, Holston and French Broad rivers with kayak launches; and worked on the SoKno Rail Trail and Art Walk easements.
Alfred Buffat Homestead
Council authorized Mayor Kincannon to allocate $100,000 from the City's Residential Historic Preservation Program to the Preserves at Loves Creek.
The Preserves at Loves Creek development will save, restore and relocate the blighted Alfred Buffat Homestead - built in 1867 - from 1717 to1707 Loves Creek Road.
The historic home will be rehabilitated and sold as a single-family residence. The former site, 1717 Loves Creek Road, will be redeveloped into multi-family housing - creating additional housing options in Northeast Knoxville.
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