The Tennessee River Waterfront Connectivity Framework Study—renamed Reconnecting Knoxville—drives efforts to enhance connectivity, foster sustainable development, and build a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient riverfront in Knoxville.
Knoxville, TN
City of Knoxville / Knoxville Community Development Corporation
The revitalization of Knoxville’s waterfront and improved connectivity between East Knoxville, South Knoxville, and Downtown aim to create vibrant public spaces, foster sustainable development, and strengthen urban linkages. Building on nearly two decades of progress since the 2006 South Waterfront Vision Plan, the Tennessee River Waterfront Connectivity Framework Study—renamed Reconnecting Knoxville—guides growth and connections across 750 acres and three miles of riverfront. By incorporating areas like East Knoxville, the study seeks to reconnect neighborhoods impacted by urban renewal to Knoxville’s flourishing Urban Wilderness and transformative developments such as the Knoxville Science Museum and the new Smokies Multi-Use Stadium. Through detailed site analysis, conceptual planning, and community engagement, the framework offers actionable strategies to enhance neighborhoods, expand greenway networks, and stimulate economic growth—laying the groundwork for thriving, connected riverfront communities where urban progress and natural beauty align.
To learn more about the funding and implementation of this work, visit the custom project website: www.reconnectingknoxville.org
SERVICES
Planning
Urban Design
Public Engagement
COLLABORATORS
Architecture: Sanders Pace Architecture
Community engagement plays a crucial role, with over 400 community members gathering at the South Knoxville Open House in February 2023, sharing ideas and priorities to guide the riverfront's transformation.
By providing a clear framework for enhancing critical infrastructure and improving connectivity, the Connectivity Study helped Knoxville secure $42.6 million in Reconnecting Communities grant funding. The city will use these funds to create multi-modal networks that improve access to jobs, schools, parks, and cultural sites. Key projects include revitalizing a cultural corridor to honor Knoxville’s Black history, transforming the James White Parkway into a linear park and urban wilderness connector, and ensuring equitable access to the South Waterfront.
