Mayor Madeline Rogero, City Council members, City staff and Magnolia Avenue stakeholders will break ground on the first phase of the Magnolia Avenue Streetscape Project on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Jessamine Street at Magnolia Avenue.

The first of the two-phase Magnolia Avenue Streetscape Project will make upgrades to a section of Magnolia Avenue between Jessamine Street and Myrtle Street. Improvements will include landscaped center medians with designated left turn lanes, new stamped crosswalks, designated on-street parking, traffic signal upgrades, street trees and landscaping, LED pedestrian and street lighting, and wider sidewalks and bike lanes.

The upgraded multi-modal street will improve pedestrian safety at intersection crossings, encourage walkability with wider, tree-lined sidewalks, and make it easier for people to bike and access transit services along Magnolia Avenue. 

Mayor Rogero and some City staff will arrive at Thursday’s groundbreaking by riding the Knoxville Area Transit Route 31-Magnolia Avenue bus. 

One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained on Magnolia Avenue throughout the project, and pedestrian access through the work zone – and access to businesses – will be maintained at all times. 

The first phase of the project is scheduled to be finished by fall 2019. At that time, the second phase – Magnolia between Myrtle and Bertrand streets – is slated to begin.

Anyone needing a disability accommodation to attend the groundbreaking should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Stephanie Cook, at 865-215-2034. For an English interpreter, contact Title VI Coordinator Tatia M. Harris at 865-215-2831.