Dozens of City employees across several departments pitched in to successfully host four community open house events in the first six months of 2023. Their work is this month’s Knoxville Job Well Done!

Many City employees are no strangers to public meetings where residents and stakeholders are invited to learn more about public and private development plans. They involve rooms of tables and easels, plans, maps, giant sticky notes, sharpies, and as many different questions as there are people in attendance. 

Chief architects of the open houses were Rebekah Jane Justice (Deputy Economic Development Officer, Urban Designer) and Cheryl Ball (Deputy Policy Officer). They each took lead on two open houses each and went to work identifying plans, projects and partners in each City quadrant to host info tables or areas. 


Each area has its own web page on the City's website, where pertinent information and post-open house details are posted.



Economic development and engineering-related projects were popular, as well as greenways and parks, and community partnerships. These are just a few of the City and community representatives who helped inform residents during the four open house events. Thank you all! 

Policy Innovation Manager Carter Hall assisted visitors to the North Knoxville Community Open House in learning more about the development activities and opportunities on the new Public Safety Building site.




Cheryl Ball helped greet those coming to view plans and ask questions at Fulton High School Library.
 



The South Knoxville event at Kerbela Temple was the most popular with approximately 300 guests.

Rebekah Jane Justice and Deputy to the Mayor Erin Gill helped answer questions about the City's investments in the South Knoxville Waterfront and other projects, including the pedestrian bridge connecting the University of Tennessee campus with South Knoxville.
 



Urban Wilderness Coordinator Wes Soward answered questions about Baker Creek Bottoms and related City developments.
 


 
At the East Knoxville Community Open House at the Jacob Building, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Aaron Browning answered questions about plans for the BlueCross Healthy Place at Morningside Park.
 



Neighborhood Coordinator Debbie Sharp helped check in attendees, including this zebra from Zoo Knoxville.
 



The African American Equity Restoration Task Force was represented at two events, with several members of the Task Force staffing a table at the Jacob Building, where they handed out flyers and asked attendees for feedback.




And at the West event, held at Bearden High School, Grant Specialist Tiffani Toombs was available to answer questions about the Task Force and its goals.
 



Housing and Neighborhood Development Director Kevin DuBose spoke with a television station about the department's efforts to prevent homelessness by supporting the construction of affordable housing and keeping residents in their homes.
 



At multiple events, including West Knoxville, Assistant Neighborhood Coordinator Hayley Howard engaged guests about the importance of being well-informed, connected neighbors.