Knoxville's Community Development Corporation (KCDC), acting on behalf of the City of Knoxville and City Council, this week will hold an informational meeting on the proposed Magnolia Avenue Warehouse District Redevelopment and Urban Renewal Plan.

The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31, in the Community Room at the Magnolia Avenue Campus of Pellissippi State Community College at 1610 East Magnolia Avenue.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide information to property owners prior to conducting a formal public hearing on the Draft Redevelopment Plan, perhaps sometime in April. However, the meeting for property owners is open to the general public.

The proposed warehouse district is an odd-shaped area bounded by I-40 on the north, S. Central on the west, and E. Summit Hill Drive on the south. The eastern border includes Harriet Tubman St. and Winona St., with an extension along Linden Avenue and Briscoe Avenue as far east as North Bertrand.

City Council in 2009 asked KCDC to review options for creating the district. KCDC has now developed a proposal to present to property owners and the public. A tentative schedule calls for City Council to consider creating the district at a meeting in May.

Creation of the redevelopment district would make any property in the district eligible for tax-increment financing and provide the framework for the city to focus on public improvements and public-private partnerships to foster redevelopment. One goal of the redevelopment plan would be to create better connections between downtown and neighborhoods in east Knoxville.

Questions may be directed to Alvin J. Nance, KCDC's executive director, at 865-403-1105 or [email protected].