For the third year in a row, the City of Knoxville will grant a total of $500,000 to owners of historic residential or commercial buildings through its Historic Preservation Fund. Proposals are being accepted now by the Department of Community Development. You can read the Request for Proposals (RFP) by clicking here. The deadlines for this process are as follows: 

• Mandatory pre-proposal meeting: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, Room 511 of the City County Building (400 Main Street). Your proposal will not be considered if you don’t attend this meeting. 
• Deadline for questions to be submitted (in writing) to the Assistant Purchasing Agent: Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017 
• Proposals due: Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017

Mayor Madeline Rogero created the Historic Preservation Fund with an initial commitment of $500,000 in the 2014-15 budget, and an additional $500,000 has been funded by City Council each year since. The fund is intended to help fill financing gaps for renovation of historic properties within city limits. 

In all, 14 construction projects have received grants, including the historic Craighead-Jackson and Mabry-Hazen houses, First Christian Church, and the Tennessee and Bijou theaters. 

• Façade restoration of the Kerns Bakery Building (2110 Chapman Highway).
• Marquee restoration of the Tennessee Theatre
• Main structure roof replacement of Park City Church (2204 Linden Avenue)

“These grants have led to the repair and restoration of several significant, historic structures that may otherwise have languished,” said Becky Wade, the City’s Director of Community Development. “Our goal is to help bring back these buildings so they can be utilized and enjoyed by our community.” 

The RFP for Funding for Improvements of Historic Buildings can be found at http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/bids. Applicants must own the property; funding will be secured by a deed of trust on the property. The point of contact for this RFP is Janice McClelland, [email protected], 865-215-2063.