Community Development Department staff, community leaders and interested redevelopers will hold a public meeting on Thursday, July 23 regarding the redevelopment of the South High School building. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Dogwood Elementary School located at 705 Tipton Ave.

Knoxville City Council in February authorized the purchase of the blighted former South High School, 953 E. Moody Ave., for about $190,000. The City’s Community Development Department will be reselling the iconic structure through a Request for Proposals process to an owner who will renovate it and bring it back into reuse.

At this July 23 public hearing, City officials will answer questions and gather input from citizens on what they think is the best use for the historic school building. Once input is evaluated and parameters for reuse of the building are in place, the City will seek proposals from redevelopers.

“The building has a high sentimental and historic value in the community,” Community Development Director Becky Wade said. “It’s also a beautiful building with huge potential for redevelopment. It’s strategically located in the heart of South Knoxville. Our aim is to see how the community wants this building to be used and, in the context of the current market, manage its redevelopment so that it can once again be a South Knoxville asset.”

Anyone needing a disability accommodation to attend the groundbreaking should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Stephanie Cook, at [email protected] or 865-215-2034. For an English interpreter, contact Joshalyn Hundley, Title VI Coordinator, at 865-215-3867 or at [email protected].