The City of Knoxville will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 14 to receive comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment for the proposed Knoxville Central Station Transit Center and potential joint development. Registration will begin at 5 p.m. in the auditorium of the John T. O'Connor Senior Citizens Center, 611 Winona St.

The Draft Environmental Assessment is currently available on the Public Building Authority's Web site - www.ktnpba.org; the offices of the Metropolitan Planning Commission, KAT and The Knoxville Area Urban League; downtown's Lawson McGhee Library, Bee DeSelm Branch Library, Norwood Branch Library and the South Knoxville Branch Library; Knoxville Center (the City of Knoxville office) and Farragut Towne Hall. Comments and questions received during Tuesday's hearing and through Dec. 29 will be addressed in writing in the final Environmental Assessment to be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration. Persons may register at the hearing to receive a copy of final Environmental Assessment via mail.

The hearing will begin with a brief summary of the proposed project and the conclusions of the draft Environmental Assessment. Speakers' comments will be recorded by a court reporter, who will also be available after the hearing for those electing not to speak during the formal hearing.

Forms will also be provided for those wanting to submit comments in writing. Comments will be accepted until Dec. 29.The draft Environmental Assessment examines the potential impacts and benefits of a proposed mixed-use, multi-story transit center on State Street between Commerce and Union Avenues in downtown Knoxville.

The center will house passenger waiting and transfer facilities for existing and proposed buses, shuttles, trolleys and taxi services with the potential for the development of other public-use facilities, residential and commercial space, and parking.