Construction has started for six facade improvements in downtown Knoxville.
These facade improvements are from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award that the city received in 2025 for downtown revitalization. The $650,000 grant, along with a matching 25% contribution from the City and participating property owners for eight buildings, will raise the total costs for the Facade Improvement projects to roughly $1.2 million. All CDBG funding must meet one of the three eligible national objectives:
- Benefit to low- and moderate-income persons.
- Aid in the prevention and elimination of slum and blight.
- Meet an urgent need.
The City’s program, established in 2022, was developed to maintain, preserve and improve downtown aesthetics with the goal to build a destination where local businesses can thrive and people of all ages and backgrounds can connect, create and celebrate. The facade improvements which are going to be completed as part of the CDBG grant are 320 & 322 E Main St., 108 N 3rd St, 110 N 3rd St., and 302 & 304 E Robinson St. City Manager Heather Ussery says the facade improvements at J&C Play are expected to be done in March.
“You don’t get to see much of the progress happening because they have it boarded up but there is a lot of happening behind the scenes. They are getting windows installed by the end of this week and they will move on to doors. There is a lot of progress happening right now at J&C Play and they should hopefully be done with that building by the end of March.”
The City of Knoxville’s CDBG application focused on the elimination of slum and blight and to meet urgent needs, incorporating a direct connection with its Downtown Municipal Façade Program.