In Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas tale, Ebenezer Scrooge must visit with three ghosts to realize he’s lost something in his pursuit of monetary wealth: human connection. 

The Ghost of Christmas Past reminds Scrooge of the valuable bonds he enjoyed in his youth -- with his sister and colleagues at Fezziwig & Co.-- and abandoned in favor of isolation because they didn’t jibe with his philosophy for financial success. 

Knoxville’s past includes its share of questionable decisions -- some of the most haunting being urban renewal projects of the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s that disconnected historically Black neighborhoods from downtown and other neighborhoods. 

That historic disconnection is set for its own redemption arc thanks to a $42.6 million federal grant received by the City of Knoxville and KCDC and announced in March 2024. 


Reconnecting Knoxville

The civic infrastructure plan known as Reconnecting Knoxville will reforge bonds between broken neighborhoods via greenways, bike paths and a cultural corridor that will reconnect important places in our city's narrative. 

Just like in the movie, the people who work for the City can reevaluate their priorities and create equitable opportunities for connection as a solution to isolation. 

Work on this transformational project is expected to begin in 2025.