Sevier Avenue business has record months on the road. Can summer be a real test?
Despite Knoxville’s experience of a wave of closures of restaurants, businesses along Seville Avenue are feeling the support of customers who don’t allow street construction.
In 2017, Landing House became one of the first businesses to open in the South Knoxville Corridor, which is now operating a $19.2 million street view to improve the walking and aesthetics of the community. But on June 8, the restaurant will be closed eight years after the East anchor on Seville Avenue, with owner Lane Zach Land describing the community as its current status “completely unrecognizable.”
In addition to landings in the houses and places other than South Knoxville, restaurants like Babalu and Downtown restaurants in Sweet P, as well as coffee shops such as Sweet P's BBQ.
Co-owner James Tourville told Knox News that Sevier Avenue’s business is in a unique dilemma as they fight for the tide closure while preparing for heavy street view work.
During the construction of Sevier Avenue, a business had record months
The building has changed traffic patterns to be used to build roundabouts at the intersection of the island’s home. Combining it with the closure of gay street bridges since June 2024, you might think that Sevier Avenue businesses are in the 1-2-3 hit.
But that's not true, Tourville said-at least not everyone. Southside Garage, which opened six years ago at 1014 Seville Avenue, recorded the best month of May.
The Sevier Avenue Streetscape project will create a cleaner look for residents and visitors by burying utilities underground, adding parking lots, creating bike lanes and building roundabouts at popular intersections. Construction began in late January.
Street View began in January, and so far, most of the buildings are in preparation. The 18-month construction period will involve moving overhead utility wires underground, while adding bicycle lanes and ADA-compliant sidewalks to the streets, as well as roundabouts.
On the eastern end of the street near the landing house, work has already been done, while the building near South Knoxville Elementary School is expected to be done during summer school. Knoxville City Councilman Tommy Smith told Knox News that Sevier Avenue will be open to vehicles and pedestrians throughout the project.
“It's time for the city to respond to make it a walking area where people feel safe. So, I'm glad,” Tourville said. “I get it. I mean no one is excited to build in front of your business, but I know what it looks like, and I know it's going to be much better here.”
Redbud Kitchen of Sevier Avenue: “One day, this will be great”
Many tangible work has not yet reached the heart of Seville Avenue, where businesses operate like Southside Garage and nearby Redbud Kitchen. So, Redbud kitchen owner Lisa Long told Knox News whether people would hesitate to park in the usually popular summer.
Dia de feeds customers at the Southside garage on Sevier Avenue, where a $11.2 million street view is being spent to improve the walking and aesthetics of the South Nockville community.
“It's great to be together,” she said. “But the time from now to now will be a challenging part. Someday, it will be amazing.”
Located at 906 Sevier Ave., Redbud has experienced good business since the warming weather. The restaurant has launched a new menu with several entrees on it, including a hot honey fried chicken sandwich, bone wings and a shrimp burrito bowl.
Smith, representing South Knoxville and Fort Sanders near the University of Tennessee, met with the Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association before the Sevier Avenue street landscape to provide useful strategies for businesses during construction. The strip is no stranger to the changes in the streets, as the city has been working for years to make this part of Cumberland Avenue more friendly.
A big gain is the importance of marketing change. Smith said the city has allocated $30,000 to the Seville Avenue Businessmen Association to tell their story. Business owners want to use the money for billboards.
Lisa Long is the owner of Redbud Kitchen, which shares buildings with other Sevier Avenue businesses, including night flights and Hi-Wire Brewing.
Another important point is the importance of access to parking spaces, making it easy for people to visit. The city has raised $150,000, paving nearby parking lots under James White Parkway, just steps from Printshop Beer Co. and the new Mighty Mud Location. The lot has about 50 attractions and has been a public gravel plot since 2019.
Gay street reopening will change Seville Avenue and South Knoxville
Parking has been complicated for some time since Sevier Avenue is sold as a pedestrian community. Sevier Avenue Business may have a small parking lot with several locations, some roadside parking or no parking at all. This is more complex on Gay Street Bridge, a vehicle and pedestrian route between downtown and Sevier Avenue.
Business owners on Sevier Avenue will clearly see their street view construction windows as the $100 million project this summer will receive $12.2 million. The picture shows Redbud Kitchen, located at 906 Sevier Ave.
Smith said the repair plan ends by the end of the year, which will reopen bridges for pedestrians.
“It's frustrating to be able to get through it to the city center. And there are a few times when it's worth driving to beat traffic,” Tourville said. “There's not a good situation for Henry. It's a lot of traffic, but it's still a little pale compared to the difference in traffic compared to the larger cities. We're talking about delays, not hourly delays.”
After the bridge reopens, the city is seeking a comprehensive traffic study of Henry Street, Gay Street and James White Big Road Bridge, as well as the connecting streets of Seville and Blunt Avenue.
“Next year is a year to study how efficient we are across the river,” Smith said. “In my opinion, this study will be the result of the next decade.”
Joanna Hayes Is a restaurant and retail journalist. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared in Knoxville News Sentinel: Sevier Street businesses want to support South Knoxville Street landscape
