Recycling Infiltrates the City (and a couple of other notes)

This month brought another significant development to the downtown Knoxville Area when single-stream recycling service was spread around downtown. Unlike our more suburban neighbors, the idea in the city isn't to have each household enjoy a private receptacle, but rather to have communal bins placed at strategic points. The one pictured here is outside the Locust Street Garage across from Crown Court Condominiums.

Urban Toddler says, "Recycle, people!"


I could not be more excited about this development. Recycling was available before this, of course. The parking lot across from the State Street Garage holds massive metal bins into which city dwellers are welcome to hurl their recyclable materials as long as they are separated by type. It's messy and involves a significant walk. Neither of these things stopped me, but the idea of emptying my collection into a single bin without getting my hands nasty and walking through the rain and snow this winter sounds pretty good.

My biggest concern of the moment is that the bins are barely distinguishable from the garbage cans that sit beside downtown streets. I wonder if they are used for trash and, more significantly, I wonder if people who think they are garbage cans don't realize they can easily recycle in the city. Most of the days I've used the new bins so far they were empty. I'm hoping that just means the previous mounds of plastics, metals and paper had been picked up by our efficient pick-up service.

So, if you haven't already - start recycling. It's so easy now there is no excuse.

Now for those couple of other notes: Andrea mentioned in the comments of yesterday's post that Eleven, the clothing shop on the 100 block, is rumoured to be closing and that a pastry shop may be coming in its place. I'd hate to see any business end, but a pastry shop seems like a pretty sweet idea, to me.

Sky Bar Permit Notice

Also, as has been noted elsewhere, but not mentioned on this blog, a new bar is coming to 415 S. Gay Street. This adds another business to what is the strongest stretch of Gay Street development. It's also the first bar on the west side of the street. Operated by Rafik Hanna, the bar and grill will also feature dancing and the building, when finished, will have two apartments above the bar.


Sky Bar as an embryo.