The city of Knoxville has forwarded to federal officials a study recommending that the proposed transit center be located on State Street in downtown Knoxville, Mayor Bill Haslam announced today.

The Federal Transit Authority earlier accepted the draft of the Knoxville Central Station Siting and Feasibility Study. The final study included comments from citizens who attended a July 13 meeting, as well as those submitted in writing through July 27.

The State Street site was recommended for a number of reasons including that the property can accommodate Knoxville Area Transit's forecasted needs; accommodate other modes of transportation including taxis, trolleys, autos, bicycles and foot traffic; has convenient pedestrian connections to Gay Street and other downtown points of interest; and facilitates downtown redevelopment efforts.

Future public meetings will be held to discuss transit operations, potential joint development, and the design of the Central Station and surrounding streetscape.

The study is available on the city's web site as well as the downtown library and several branch libraries including Bee DeSelm, Norwood, Burlington and South Knoxville. The study also is available at City Hall at the Mall in Knoxville Center, Farragut Town Center, and the Metropolitan Planning Commission.