Demolition deferred, Deck Delineated, Alleyway Acquired

710 and 712 Walnut Still Endangered

Lengthy caption, I realize, but several things are simmering in the downtown stew today and I wanted to include them all. Let's take them one at a time.

Though several members were absent and the audience was virtually non-existent, the Downtown Design Review Board met yesterday and held a very brief meeting with a two item agenda. First up was the proposed demolition of 710 and 712 Walnut. Yes, it is still up for discussion and apparently will continue to be indefinitely. It still has the recommendation for approval, but it was once again deferred for one month at the request of the church as they are continuing discussions about the future of the buildings.

The Downtown Design Review Board, Knoxville, February 2012

Mostly empty seats in the small auditorium

Some questions were raised about whether the postponement can go on forever and it was agreed it could unless the board voted to not grant the postponement, which would, in effect, mean that the matter would have to be raised anew and at least a month would have to lapse after it was re-introduced before any action could be taken. No one moved to do that, so it will be on the agenda for the fifth month in a row, next month.

I thought voting down the request for postponement would have been a smart option. Otherwise, we could all get lulled to sleep by the continued delays until suddenly it was voted on one month and the buildings disappear overnight. Maybe they will think reconsider that next month.

116 S. Central, Knoxville, Old City Entertainment

The second item was a request for approval of the construction of a deck above the one-story portion of Old City Entertainment Venue at 116 S. Central Street. After assurances that nothing would be visible from the street, approval was given. Interestingly, one hurdle is that there must be an egress from the rooftop and it is proposed to be to the back into an alley.

Parking lot behind 100 block of S. Central

Alley behind Old City Entertainment Venue owned by Jeffrey Nash

That's where matters may get complicated. The alley is not public property, but rather is owned by Jeffrey Nash who recently acquired it from his own company, if my memory serves correctly. It is a portion of the parcel which includes a gravel parking lot which he is set to improve using a combination of funds which includes a grant from CBID he was awarded last month. Got all that? The bottom line is that he has to agree to the staircase.

Rear of Building containing Aisle Nine

Wall to bear weight of deck - exposed crack

While in the alley, I couldn't help but notice the condition of the adjacent building. This is germane to the story because the deck will actually be suspended from the two taller buildings and will not rest on the roof of the shorter building. Looking at the huge crack in the wall of the other building, I had to wonder how much weight it can support. I'm sure the engineers are confident, but it looks as if it barely stands upright. This is the building that currently houses Aisle Nine and its upper section isn't used at this time.

So, stay tuned. The stories will continue to develop.

Breaking News, Bad News and Old City Business Bits

Breaking News: The Oliver Hotel (they are no longer Saints) is open for business. The first customers checked in yesterday. Dann Black, the assistant general manager was kind enough to show me around. He asked that I not take pictures until they have photographs on the website, but he was very gracious as he showed me the rooms and talked about the renovation and decoration of the rooms and lobby. The entrance is beautiful, with a gorgeous chandelier and beautiful chairs framed by the new doors. Art is on the way. The rooms range widely in size and shape, but all have been completely re-done with larger bathrooms complete with hand-laid tile floors inlaid with the new emblem. The restaurant is still six months away from opening, but nine rooms are ready and all twenty-eight should be set to go soon and many are already booked. Prices range from $109 to $319, though they may change a bit, yet. Go by and check it out.

Pieces being broken from the bridge.

Bad News: Another worker was killed on the Henley Street Bridge project. Work has been halted and the green-way is closed in that area. April 13 I wrote "The work must be very dangerous. The side railing is being removed first and each piece is knocked off onto a barge below. There are people working the machinery, people guiding the machine operators from the bridge and people on the barge below where the pieces fall. The large pieces must weigh hundreds of pounds. Of course, one person has died already and it is easy to see how a moment of inattentiveness on any one's part could result in a disaster."

Barge where the pieces fall (notice the person standing beside the crane).

It apparently happened very much like that. I have no way of knowing if the construction company is attending to safety as ardently as they should, but hopefully changes will be forthcoming, if not.

Old City Business Bits:

Jig and Reel, Old City

There are a few more business developments in the Old City worth noting. Manhattan's went out of business a few months ago, leaving a prime location available and it will be filled by a Scottish pub called Jig and Reel. Progress toward an opening appears to be slow moving. This will give us a British pub, Irish pub and Scottish pub in the Old City. I'm not sure what that means, but it's interesting.

Bliss, Old City

Interior of Bliss, Old City

Not so with Bliss, Old City or Old City Entertainment Venue (It seems to want to be both.) at 118 S. Central. The bar seems to be operational and quite attractive, describing itself as an event location and a wine bar. The confounding thing to me is that anyone would name a downtown business "Bliss," given the success and long-time standing of Bliss and Bliss Home on Market Square. It seems the predictable confusion would not be beneficial. I wonder what the owner of the Bliss stores on Market Square think about it. All that said, it looks like a very nice place and locations for events are surprisingly limited downtown.

Organized Play, 131 S. Central

Finally, Organized Play is open on the same stretch of Central. I believe it moved from Cumberland on the other end of downtown. It appears to be a gathering spot for the Dungeons and Dragons crowd and features comics (this is a big week for Green Lantern according to their website). It seems to fit the personality of the Old City - and I mean that in a good way. It's just a little edgier, a little more eccentric than uptown.