Will new Maker space become available in the near future in the Magnolia Avenue Warehouse District? Specifically, at what's now City-owned property on McCalla Avenue?

Come to a 6 p.m. Thursday, May 17, Open House at 1200 McCalla Ave., hosted by the City and the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center. City officials are interested in hearing from the community on how this vacant City property might best be brought back into private reuse as Maker space.

Last year, Smart Growth America visited the City of Knoxville for a three-day community assessment on small-scale manufacturing in the Magnolia Avenue Warehouse District.

One recommendation from SGA staff: Transform vacant City-owned properties into Maker space by giving priority to proposals that highlight incorporating small-scale manufacturing tenant space.

On Thursday evening, City staff will offer tours and talk with attendees on how the 1200 McCalla Ave. space could be reused and turned into small-scale manufacturing – a woodworking or glass-blowing shop, for example, or a 3D printing operation.

Ideas gathered during the Open House will be incorporated into a Request for Proposals for the sale of the property.