The City of Knoxville’s Community Development Department has selected nine recipients to receive $500,000 in Historic Preservation Funds. The projects include improvements and infrastructure to properties such as the Tennessee Theatre, the Keener Building and Mabry-Hazen House.

“This is the second year of awards for historic preservation funding. We had a wonderful group of 19 applicants for this round, which made the scoring that much more difficult this year,” said Ken McMahon, Economic Development Project Manager for the City of Knoxville. “We are pleased that we are able to fund nine of these important projects. Knoxville is fortunate to have a City-sponsored program that allows the owners of historic properties to receive assistance in making repairs that might otherwise be unfeasible.”

Mayor Madeline Rogero created the Historic Preservation Fund with an initial commitment of $500,000 in the 2014-15 budget and $500,000 in the 2015-16 budget, both adopted by City Council. The fund is intended to help fill financing gaps for renovation of historic properties. Mayor Rogero proposed a third installment of $500,000 in the 2016-17 budget.

“We are happy to be able to provide funding to assist in preserving some of Knoxville’s historic properties,” said Becky Wade, Community Development Director. “These investments help Knoxville preserve its unique architectural character and save meaningful links to our past, while creating economic development opportunities.”

The nine projects selected are:

• Mabry-Hazen restoration, 1711 Dandridge Ave.;
• Historic Riverhouse, 614 W. Hill Ave.;
• Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St.;
• Craighead-Jackson House, 1000 State St.;
• Branson House Phase II, 1423 Branson Ave.;
• First Christian Church building, 211 W. Fifth Ave.;
• Keener Building, 701 World’s Fair Park Drive;
• Knox Heritage, National Register administrative grant; and
• Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay St.