In late 2018, Mayor Madeline Rogero’s administration and City Council asked for a strategic study of possible future uses of Chilhowee Park and Exposition Center.

At a 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019 public meeting at the Jacob Building, the team of consultants that has been gathering input and analyzing the park’s many potentials for the past nine months will present its recommendations on ways to better utilize the 81-acre park.

Chilhowee Park and Exposition Center serves as home to the Tennessee Valley Fair each fall and to The Muse and Golden Gloves Charities year-round. Adjacent to Chilhowee Park is the 53-acre Zoo Knoxville, the city’s top attraction, which welcomed 512,112 visitors in 2018 and set a new attendance record for the fourth consecutive year. 

The consulting team was led by nationally-renown Convention Sports and Leisure International (CSL). The team included local firms Design Innovation Architects and CRJA Landscape Architects as well as Sizemore Group, Atlanta-based strategic planners.

The team in February met with tenants and stakeholders and held a community meeting. Existing facilities were thoroughly reviewed, and historic uses of buildings and the grounds were studied. About 2,000 people then completed online surveys in June.

The aim was to analyze the current uses of Chilhowee Park and existing market conditions, then to develop a strategic business and facility plan.

Three years ago, CSL followed a similar approach to complete a market and feasibility study that outlined options for the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum. That was the first step in a process that resulted in the City investing $10 million in KCAC upgrades.

Chilhowee Park and Exposition Center is located at 3301 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or LEP (Limited English Proficient) and want to request interpretation services, please contact Title VI Coordinator Tatia M. Harris at [email protected] or 865-215-2831. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend, contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Stephanie Brewer Cook, at 865-215-2034 or [email protected] at least 72 hours before the meeting.