Proposals to receive a grant from the Mayor’s Historic Preservation Fund in 2018 are now being accepted.

The requests for proposals (RFP) for Funding for Improvements of Historic Buildings is available now at http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/bids. Applicants must own the property, which may be residential or commercial and must be located within the City limits. Funding will be secured by a deed of trust on the property. 

Application deadlines are as follows: 

• 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017: Mandatory pre-proposal meeting at the City of Knoxville Public Works Center (3131 Morris Avenue). Your proposal will not be considered if you don’t attend this meeting. 
• 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, 2017: Deadline for questions to be submitted in writing to Assistant Purchasing Agent Penny Owens. 
• 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, 2017: Proposals are due.

Mayor Madeline Rogero created the Historic Preservation Fund with an initial commitment of $500,000 in the 2014-15 budget, and City Council has renewed the fund at that level each year since. A total of 21 historic homes, churches, theaters and other buildings have received grants. 

“This fund helps bridge financing gaps for historic properties that can be renovated but may not qualify for traditional bank loans,” said Becky Wade, the City’s Director of Community Development. “All of the buildings these grants have supported are important to their neighborhoods and Knoxville’s history.” 

Proposals and questions about the RFP should be directed to: 

Penny Owens 
City of Knoxville
Office of Purchasing Agent
400 Main Street, Room 667-674
Knoxville, TN 37902
[email protected]
865-215-2648 phone
865-215-2277 fax