The City of Knoxville is accepting proposals from owners of historic residential and commercial buildings seeking an allocation from the 2019 Improvements to Historic Buildings fund. 

The Request for Proposals for Funding for Improvements to Historic Buildings is now available. The fund provides $500,000 in to help fill financing gaps for renovation of historic properties within city limits. Funds are mainly granted to preservation of historic buildings. While homeowners of historic residences are also eligible, they can receive funding as a temporary loan to be repaid rather than a grant.

The RFP is available at http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/bids. Applicants must own the property, and funding will be secured by a deed of trust on the property.

Application deadlines are as follows: 

• 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018: 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. Friday, Nov. 9, 2018: Deadline for questions to be submitted in writing to Purchasing Agent Penny Owens. 

• 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018: Proposals are due.

Beginning with the City’s 2014-2015 budget, Mayor Madeline Rogero proposed $500,000 be allocated for a historic preservation fund to support the efforts of the Community Development department to improve low to moderate income neighborhoods. That funding was approved by City Council and has been renewed annually. Per-project allocations from the fund have ranged from approximately $10,000 to $200,000. Click here to view a history of construction projects that have received funds.

Becky Wade, the City’s Director of Community Development, says: “These funds are used to preserve and improve historic structures, while at the same time serving as economic drivers, creating jobs as well as new housing and retail spaces.” 

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