Stuck Inside of Knoxville w/ the Urban Blues Ag'n

Monday, March 26, 2012

Knox Heritage Tour of Armature Building

Three Feathers Building, Southwest Corner of Jackson and Gay, Knoxville

Knox Heritage sometimes gives its members the opportunity to tour buildings which are being renovated and/or re-purposed. Last fall I wrote about their tour of the White Lily building, for example. It's a great chance to see the "bones" of the buildings before the finished product. It always gives me an appreciation for the people who have the vision to see what could be made of these properties, many of which have been seriously neglected. The tours are great and the organization is great, so if you aren't a member, you should consider joining, which you may do here.

Armature Building, Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, March 2012

Often the properties on display are being developed by David Dewhirst, who is responsible for the renovations and development of downtown properties such as the Emporium, the Daylight Building and the JFG Building. A profile of Mr. Dewhirst and his projects was published in the News Sentinel yesterday. His company is currently doing the work on the Arnstein Building, the New Union Shops and the Armature Building, which is the building he allowed Knox Heritage members to tour this past Friday night.

Introduction of the tour at Attack Monkey Productions, Gay Street

Units under construction, Armature Building, Knoxville, March 2012

I believe I understood that what Knox Heritage was calling the "Armature Building" is actually three buildings. The building at the corner of Gay and Jackson is called the Three Feather's Building and it is moving quickly toward readiness for occupancy. I noticed that washers and dryers had arrived a couple of weeks ago and that usually means the later stages have been reached. It will have ten rental units and the bottom floor will be retail. This building was the home for Volunteers of America, a homeless shelter, and was not included in the tour.

Dewhirst representative gives the details

A unit on the north side of the development

The next two buildings down Jackson Avenue were referred to by Knox Heritage as the Armature Building but are, in fact, two buildings. The first has ten units on three floors, just as the Three Feathers Building. These units vary from studio apartments to two bedrooms and will likely range in price from around $600 to $1100 per month. To have a studio apartment for $600 in a very cool location in the city is an amazing value.

Interior of the Armature Building, Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, March 2012

Interior doorway, Armature Building, Knoxville, March 2012

The third building in the row is the largest of the three and should yield just over fifty units. It is also the least developed of the three and was in the worst shape when it was purchased. Its manufacturing history is evident by the manlift in its center and the drive-in bay on the front.

Manlift, Armature Building, Knoxville

Drive-in Bay, Armature Building, Knoxville

Another interesting feature is the holes in the roof which appear to be openings for vents during its manufacturing incarnation, but which will likely serve as awesome skylights for the units.

View to the north from the Armature Building

View to the east from the Armature Building

The views are also unique, with the front offering a view of the train tracks and the historic depot buildings and the side offering a view of the back of the western side of the 100 block of Gay Street along with the Emporium, Sterchi and other buildings peeking over the top.

View from the rear of the Armature Building

Row of windows across the rear of the Armature Building

The back view varies depending on which building, with the second building from the corner offering views of what will likely be a nice courtyard and the third building offering views of a small stand of trees and a hillside. The second floor offers a wonderful row of arched windows across the back. There is a rumor afloat of a pool to be added behind the building and for some connection to the underside of the Jackson Street viaduct from the front side of the lower floors.

Rear view from the Armature Building

The schedule calls for the first two buildings to be ready by this fall, with the larger building slated for a December opening, though the representative on site implied this might be an ambitious goal. That will add over seventy units to the residential pool in downtown Knoxville at a time when rental units, particularly, are at a premium and units for purchase also seem to be emerging from the slow sales period of the recession.

It was a very good evening to reconnect with Knox Heritage members and downtown friends. Also, I find it uplifting and encouraging that progress continues in the city that I love. You might consider joining Knox Heritage if this sounds like the kind of thing you would enjoy. You might consider moving downtown if this sounds like the kind of community you might enjoy connecting to. I know I'm glad I did.

Labels: Armature Building, Attack Monkey, David Dewhirst, Downtown Knoxville, Downtown Knoxville Blog, Jackson Avenue, Knox Heritage, Knoxville Tennessee, Knoxville Tennessee Blogs

Friday, December 23, 2011

Religious Celebrations in the City

Romanian Church, Central Street, Knoxville, December 2011

Churches in Knoxville are an interesting lot. When I first moved to the area in 1982 I was told there were more churches per capita here than anywhere else in the US. I've never seen data to back that up, but we certainly have a bounty of congregations. Downtown is no exception and we may have more than you realize. I can't find any evidence that a congregation still meets at the Romanian Church pictured above, though I've never wandered over on Sunday morning. I know there is a large Romanian congregation on Yarnell Road in Knox County. Who knew there would be enough demand?

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Knoxville

St. John's Episcopal Church, Knoxville

First Baptist Church Knoxville

Of course, downtown in the south means the older, mainline denominations are represented, usually with "First" this and that. We have a couple of those. I find it interesting that the Catholics and Baptists are as far apart geographically as possible in our small city. The Episcopals fall in between the two which seems historically correct.

Church Street United Methodist Church, Knoxville

First Presbyterian, Knoxville

Off to the sides are the Methodists and the Presbyterians. The Presbyterians claim to be the oldest continuing congregation in the city, but I think Church Street makes a similar claim. Church Street UMC has the distinction of being called the "most beautiful church in America" by President Roosevelt as he passed through Knoxville on his way to dedicate a little park in the mountains to our east.

Immaculate Conception holds the distinction of having the Poet/Priest of the Confederacy, father Abram Ryan serve there for a couple of years after the war. He is said to have written his most famous poem, "The Conquered Banner" while in Knoxville. Interestingly for me (and Kim Trent), he later served for ten years in Mobile, Alabama, is buried there and has a park and a statue erected to his honor in that city. I'll have to photograph it for the blog sometime when I'm down that way.

Bijou, Home to Knoxlife Church

Square Room, Home to Crossings and All Souls

There are several other churches which meet downtown and which may not be as obvious. Knoxlife, which used to meet at Remedy, outgrew that facility and they now meet in the Bijou. The Square Room hosts two different congregations each Sunday, including Crossings and All Souls. Each of these are non-denominational and I don't think they would be offended to be called "praise" churches.

So, we have your major brands and your off-brands. You have to leave the immediate downtown area to find other faiths, but this being Christmas, we'll stick to the Christians, for now. If you are interested, I hope you spot one you like. Their schedules for Christmas weekend are listed below. If you enjoy your Christmas, Hanukkah or Winter Solstice some other way, then I hope you find joy with your friends and family.

Happy Christmas, Ya'll.

First Baptist - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 5:00 PM, 11:00 AM Worship Christmas Day (no Childcare)

Church Street United Methodist - Christmas Eve: 3:00 PM (designed especially for families with children), 5:00 and 10:30 Traditional Candlelight Communion services; Christmas Day 11:00 AM Worship

St. John's Episcopal* - Christmas Eve: Holy Eucharist 12:00, 2:00, 4:00 (Pageant), 6:00(Choral) and 10:30 (Choral) Childcare available at 4:00 and 6:00. Christmas Day: Holy Eucharist 10:30 AM

First Presbyterian - Christmas Eve: 5:00 Family Service (drama based on Silent Night), 10:45 Candlelight Service. Christmas Day: 11:00 AM Informal Service with Carols and Stories

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church - Christmas Eve: 6 p.m. Christmas Play & Mass, 9 p.m. Mass, 12 a.m. Midnight Mass. Christmas Day - 8:30 a.m. Mass, 10 a.m. Mass, 11:30 a.m. Mass

Knoxlife Church - Christmas Day: 11:00 AM in the Bijou (I'm assuming they will meet - nothing different posted on their web page). This is their regular meeting place and time (formerly met in Remedy in the Old City).

Crossings - Christmas Eve: 4:30 PM in the Square Room. Christmas Day services are canceled (usually 9:00 and 10:30 in the Square Room).

All Souls Church - Christmas Eve: 5:00 PM, Krutch Park Extension (rain plan - meet in the Prayer Chapel on the 3rd floor of 4 Market Square). Christmas Day service is canceled (usually meets at 5:00 PM in the Square Room).

*A prayer for preservation might be well placed if you go to this one. I'm just sayin'!

Labels: Christmas Church Services, Downtown Churches, Downtown Knoxville, Downtown Knoxville Blog, knoxville tennessee blogs

Friday, August 26, 2011

East Tennessee History Fair 2011

Tomorrow meets yesterday at the East Tennessee History Fair 2011, Knoxville

The entire cast of characters, East Tennessee History Fair 2011, Knoxville

This has to be one of the most picturesque events in Knoxville every year. It almost doesn't much matter which direction you point your camera something good is likely to happen. The only other event about which I might make the same statement would be the Hola Festival. As a result, I had great difficulty narrowing my photographic selections for this post. You may not believe me after you see how many pictures I've included, but I eliminated a very large number that I took that day.

East Tennessee History Fair 2011, Knoxville

Indigenous Representative, East TN. History Fair, Knoxville

East Tennessee History Fair 2011, Knoxville

So, I'll be short on words and let the pictures talk. For the uninitiated, this is an event sponsored by the East Tennessee Historical Society. It features reenactors from every era as well as history-related booths and organizations. The emphasis this year was on the Civil War which began 150 years ago this year. Also on the agenda was the David Crockett 225th birthday celebration which I covered in a recent blog.

"You got a problem with me walking in front of you? Seriously?"

Excellent Harmonies, East Tennessee History Fair 2011, Knoxville

Trolley tours took riders through the city's most famous historical landmarks, walking tours of historical preservation efforts were led by Kim Trent of Knox Heritage and a stage in the center of the park hosted a wide range of musicians, many of whom played period songs such as "Look Away Dixie Land," which I heard performed beautifully.

Visitor or a participant? I just liked the way he looked.

Urban Toddler having a ball at the East Tennessee History Fair 2011.

My favorite images this year were of the people dressed from bygone eras juxtaposed with our modern streetscapes. I hope you find a few you enjoy sprinkled among the photographs included here.