Knoxville South Waterfront Public Improvements

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) jointly prepared a final environmental assessment (FEA) of the City of Knoxville’s proposal to redevelop three sections of riverfront in downtown Knoxville. The public improvements proposed in the redevelopment are part of a plan the City adopted in 2006 to revitalize the area over a 20-year period. The USACE and TVA released a draft EA (DEA) for public review from May 1 to May 30, 2009. Comments on the DEA were received during that same time period and are addressed in this FEA.

The City’s current proposal involves constructing several features including riverwalks, temporary mooring facilities, and a fishing pier along the south side of the Tennessee River waterfront, also known as Knoxville South Waterfront. The proposed public improvements require approval by TVA under Section 26a of the TVA Act and other approvals from USACE. The FEA evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the City’s proposed actions. 

In 2014, the City requested approval by TVA and USACE to modify the original design of a public park (to be named Suttree Landing Park) located in the Middle Section of the project. TVA completed a Supplemental EA in October 2014 which addresses the potential environmental effects of the modifications. On October 8, 2014, TVA issued a new Finding of No Significant Impact for the modifications to the proposed Suttree Landing Park.