November 2014 Newsletter

In This Issue

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November 3: ULI  The Pittsburgh Story: Urban Revitalization Through Public Private Partnerships 5PM Holiday Inn- Worlds Fair Park

November 4-5: TN Stormwater Association Symposium- Knoxville Convention Center

November 5: ETQG Executive Committee Meeting- Alcoa

November 7-8:East Tennessee Preservation Conference: Oak Ridge

 

November 7:Virtual Career Fair- University of Tennessee

 

November 12:Regional Day for East Tennessee Regional Leadership- KMA

 

Nov 13- 14: 61st Annual TN Governor’s Economic Development Conference- Nashville

November 14: Equity Roundtable- TBD

January 2015:ETQG Board meeting TBD

This month we are featuring our first guest column, an update on the plans for a regional greenway to the Smokies. This is an exciting project and demonstrates the need for continued regional partnering and dialogue, of which many ETQG Board members will be engaged in throughout the month. Some of the upcoming events with regional focus include Tennessee Stormwater Association Symposium, East Tennessee Preservation Conference, East Tennessee Regional Leadership Day, and an Energy Policy Workshop at UT. Thank you to all who have sent in content and comments.

We also want to thank our intern, Jake Gill for his assistance over the past 3 months and wish him well with his new opportunities.

Julie.

The Knox/Blount Regional Greenway to the Smokies

By: Jeremy Pearson, AICP  Chair,
Great Smoky Mountains Regional Greenway Council

Imagine riding a bike from Knoxville to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, all the while passing through some of East Tennessee’s most cultural and scenic landscapes. That’s the vision of the Great Smoky Mountains Regional Greenway Council-a coalition of local governments, agencies and individuals working together to coordinate, plan and promote greenway construction in the greater Knoxville region. Whether experiencing the warmth of a spring day, brisk air on a winter morning or any season in between, your day may start with a cup of coffee in one of Knoxville’s downtown cafes before heading to the solitude of the University of Tennessee’s Cherokee Farm. 

From the farm, you begin your journey to the Smokies. This peaceful segment of the trail, currently under construction by the City of Knoxville, is between the developing urban landscape and the Tennessee River. As the trail makes its way to Blount County, having passed through rural areas of Knox County, the Little River and scenic beauty of the joint Alcoa-Maryville Greenway become prominent features. At this point in your adventure, you might take advantage of renowned trail and thoughtfully planned parkland and amenities to rest or just hang out before stopping in one of downtown Maryville’s boutiques or eateries.

 

From Maryville, your adventure may continue further into the rural lands of Blount County along Lamar Alexander Parkway. The mountainous background becomes quite a sight to take in as you anticipate the spectacular experience of traveling through the rough terrain of Walland Gap on a cantilevered trail section. Perhaps your destination will be a night stay to relax in the peaceful side of the Smokies-Townsend-before continuing your adventure into the park.

 

This is merely a glimpse of the enjoyments and opportunities that such a regional trail is expected to provide the residents, business owners and visitors within our region. This vision of such a trail, first brought to life during the mid-’90s, is currently funded to the Knox and Blount County line at the Little River. The City of Alcoa has also secured funds to construct certain portions from Springbrook Park to the Clayton Homes existing trail segment near their corporate headquarters.

 

What’s next? The greenway council is now raising funds to have a professional fundraising feasibility study conducted of a 13-mile segment, which was most recently planned and coined the “Maryville to Townsend Greenway“. Specifically, the study would look at the rural/steep slope section outside of the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization’s planning area. Outside of this area, public funding will be difficult. The rough terrain also makes this section of the trail the most expensive, and individual and corporate donations will be needed. Although an expensive section of trail, estimated to be $21.4 million, it has the potential to be an attraction in and of itself.

 

The total Maryville to Townsend Greenway has been estimated to cost $24.5 million. However, with a projected economic impact of well over $65 million (which assumes a 10-year construction timeline for purposes of the plan), the benefit far exceeds the cost.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 

Access To Trails Reduces Youth Obesity
Researchers at the University of Missouri and the University of Minnesota have found that local governments can help reduce youth obesity levels by increasing the amount and type of public lands available for recreation. See this link to access the study:

Reduce Youth Obesity

TRANSPORTATION 

The TDOT Safe Routes to School grant applications close on January 15, 2015.  Find out more about this grant at this link:

SAFE ROUTES