City of Knoxville, TN
06/23/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/23/2026 18:13
City Supports Homelessness Service Partners
Tonight, Knoxville City Council supported Mayor Indya Kincannon's proposal to provide more than $300,000 in funding to five community non-profit organizations that are serving individuals experiencing homelessness - or proactively working to avert homelessness.
Council authorized Mayor Kincannon to execute these agreements:
• Salvation Army - $65,000 - for emergency shelter through the Joy Baker Center
• Catholic Charities of East Tennessee - $30,000 - emergency shelter, Samaritan Place
• Volunteer Ministry Center - $54,720 - emergency shelter and essential services, VMC Dental Clinic and Resource Center
• Volunteer Ministry Center - $40,000 - rapid re-housing services
• Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee - $65,000 - rapid re-housing services
• Community Mediation Center - $25,000 - eviction mediation services
• Catholic Charities of East Tennessee - $25,000 - updated security system, Samaritan Place
In the coming year, despite a lean budget, the City has increased its funding for initiatives to reduce housing instability. Additional contracts related to housing will come to Council later this summer.
In other matters tonight:
Northwest Greenway Connector
Council authorized the Mayor to amend an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Specifically, the total project investment is expected to increase to $7.3 million, and the greenway extension is scheduled to be completed by Dec. 31, 2028. The City is paying a 20 percent local match.
The City constructed the original Northwest Greenway that connected Victor Ashe Park and Western Avenue, and TDOT constructed a pedestrian bridge over Western Avenue where the greenway connects. The City's Phase II extends the greenway 6,800 feet from the bridge to Middlebrook Pike.
The extra expense involves construction of retaining walls, safety features and ADA compliance in repurposing a lane of lightly-traveled Third Creek Road into a shared-use path. The design change was necessary due to limited right-of-way and the close proximity of Third Creek.
Capital Improvements
Council approved and adopted Mayor Kincannon's proposed $40 million 2026-27 Capital Improvements Budget - the biggest single item being $11.5 million for street repavings.
Next year's capital budget also includes $4.5 million for Western Heights infrastructure - part of the City's $26.5 million six-year commitment to the KCDC-led $200 million Transforming Western initiative.
Other capital items: Washington Pike corridor improvements, $2 million; Chilhowee Park improvements, $2 million; First Creek at Austin connector, $1.5 million; James White Parkway Bridge Greenway, $1 million; and renovation of Fire Station No. 15, $900,000.
Council authorized Mayor Kincannon to execute these agreements:
• Salvation Army - $65,000 - for emergency shelter through the Joy Baker Center
• Catholic Charities of East Tennessee - $30,000 - emergency shelter, Samaritan Place
• Volunteer Ministry Center - $54,720 - emergency shelter and essential services, VMC Dental Clinic and Resource Center
• Volunteer Ministry Center - $40,000 - rapid re-housing services
• Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee - $65,000 - rapid re-housing services
• Community Mediation Center - $25,000 - eviction mediation services
• Catholic Charities of East Tennessee - $25,000 - updated security system, Samaritan Place
In the coming year, despite a lean budget, the City has increased its funding for initiatives to reduce housing instability. Additional contracts related to housing will come to Council later this summer.
In other matters tonight:
Northwest Greenway Connector
Council authorized the Mayor to amend an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Specifically, the total project investment is expected to increase to $7.3 million, and the greenway extension is scheduled to be completed by Dec. 31, 2028. The City is paying a 20 percent local match.
The City constructed the original Northwest Greenway that connected Victor Ashe Park and Western Avenue, and TDOT constructed a pedestrian bridge over Western Avenue where the greenway connects. The City's Phase II extends the greenway 6,800 feet from the bridge to Middlebrook Pike.
The extra expense involves construction of retaining walls, safety features and ADA compliance in repurposing a lane of lightly-traveled Third Creek Road into a shared-use path. The design change was necessary due to limited right-of-way and the close proximity of Third Creek.
Capital Improvements
Council approved and adopted Mayor Kincannon's proposed $40 million 2026-27 Capital Improvements Budget - the biggest single item being $11.5 million for street repavings.
Next year's capital budget also includes $4.5 million for Western Heights infrastructure - part of the City's $26.5 million six-year commitment to the KCDC-led $200 million Transforming Western initiative.
Other capital items: Washington Pike corridor improvements, $2 million; Chilhowee Park improvements, $2 million; First Creek at Austin connector, $1.5 million; James White Parkway Bridge Greenway, $1 million; and renovation of Fire Station No. 15, $900,000.
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City of Knoxville, TN published this content on June 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 24, 2026 at 00:13 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]