Section
The
Economic
Benefits
of
Greenways
V
Section V: The Economic Benefits of Greenways
Knox to O a k R id ge G reen wa y Stu d y
62
Section VI
The Economic Benefits of Greenways
Introduction
Greenways provide a variety of amenities including open
space, vegetated corridors, attractive views, recreation
opportunities, and multi-use connectivity. It’s no
surprise that these amenities often have direct impacts
on neighboring property values. In a 2002 survey by the
National Association of Realtors and National Association
of Home Builders, trails were selected as the second most
desired community amenity by 2,000 home buyers1. Trails
consistently rank in the top five amenities desired by
home buyers and rank “important to very important” just
behind highway access. Trails outranked neighborhood
playgrounds and pools as coveted neighborhood
amenities. As consumers continue to demand access to
greenways, properties adjacent to greenways will be in
high demand.
Property Values on the Rise
National & Regional Data
“Median priced
homes increase
in value by an
average of $3,200 if
within 5,000 feet of
a greenway”
—Greenways and Greenbacks: The Impact of the
Catawba Regional Trail on Property Values in
Charlotte, North Carolina
63
The nation’s longest and oldest paved Rail-Trail, the Silver
Comet Trail (SCT), extends 61.5 miles and connects seven
cities in Georgia. The economic impact of this trail system
is estimated at $2 million in annual property tax gains
and $182 million in increased property values2. A planned
expansion of the project would double the length and
produce an estimated return on investment of $4.64 in
direct and indirect economic benefits for every $1 spent.
One reason why greenways increase property values is
that consumers place a premium on access to greenways
as a space for recreation, socializing, and commuting. A
2007 Texas study that statistically modeled 10,000 real
estate transactions estimated that greenways add a 5%
purchase premium3. The closer a property is located to a
greenway, the more its value is boosted by proximity to
the trail.
A 2007 study on the impacts of the Catawba Regional
1 Rails to Trails Conservancy. (2002). Home Buyers Sold on Trails. Rails
to Trails Magazine. Washington, D.C.: Rails to Trails Conservancy
2 Econsult Solutions, Inc. (2013). Silver Comet Trail Economic
Impact Analysis and Planning Study. Bike Walk Northwest Georgia
(BWNWGA).
3 Huffman, P. A. (2009). The Relative Impacts of Trails and Greenbelts
on Home Price. Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, 408419.
Section V: The Economic Benefits of Greenways
Knox to O a k R id ge G reen wa y Stu d y
Trail on property values in Charlotte, North Carolina, concluded
that median priced homes increased in value by an average
of $3,200 if within 5,000 feet of the greenway4. A 2008 study at
the University of Cincinnati’s School of Planning analyzed 376
properties that sold near the Little Miami Scenic Greenway in
Ohio. Their results showed that single-family residential property
values increase by $7.05 for every foot closer the property is
located to the greenway5.
Knoxville & Knox County Trends
Real estate agents working in Knox County are well aware of
greenway impacts on properties for sale. Sales Agent Robin
Aggers from Coldwell Banker stated that “most clients love the
idea of green space and walking/biking trails and are willing to
pay a little more for the home based on the location.” She believes
that an increase in the range of $10-25k would be appropriate for
a home adjacent to a greenway6. Christine McInerney, Lead Agent
of The McInerney Team, has noticed the increasing trend of biking
in Knoxville. Although it’s difficult to quantitatively determine
impacts on property values because of so many variables, she
recognizes greenways as a big selling feature of homes and
communities. Island Home in South Knoxville, West Hills, and
Sequoyah Hills are all examples of neighborhoods that promote
their proximity to greenways to potential buyers as selling points.
Figure 52—Example of a residential development incorporating
a greenway into the design. Image courtesy of Dan Burden
According to McInerney’s experience, not all greenways and parks
are created equal. Longer stretches of greenways, like the Third
Figure 53—Third Creek in Knoxville. One Knoxville real estate
agent said that the connectivity of this greenway is a draw to
Creek Greenway, tend to be more desirable to clients than short
home buyers. Image courtesy of www.letsmove.org
stretches of separated greenways with on-road sections, and
people will often wait for these properties to be listed. McInerney
recently had several clients relocate from West Knoxville to the Sequoyah Hills area just to be closer to greenways for
commuting7.
Public/Private Partnerships
The Business Advantage
It’s not just home buyers who are demanding greenways. Business communities are also benefiting from them. The
Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 17.5-mile rails-to-trails greenway in Greenville, South Carolina, had instant impacts on the
surrounding Greenville economy based on a survey of businesses within 250 yards of the trail that was conducted at
Furman University. Multiple businesses opened as a result of the trail being built. Multiple businesses also changed
locations to be closer to the trail, resulting in an average range of 30%-50% increase in sales with the move. All
businesses surveyed within the 250 yards showed an increase in sales with an average increase of 47%8.
4 Munroe, H. C. (2007). Greenways and Greenbacks: The Impact of the Catawba Regional Trail on Property Values in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Southeastern Geographer, 118-137.
5 Karadenis, D. (2008). The Impact of Trails on Single-family Residential Property Values. Cincinnati: University of Cincinnati, School of
Planning.
6 Aggers, R. (2014, October 1). Economic Impacts of Greenways in Knox County. (D. Chandler, Interviewer)
7 McInerney, C. (2014, October 1). Economic Impacts of Greenways in Knox County. (D. Chandler, Interviewer)
8 Reed D.J. (2013). Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail Impact Study. Greenville: Furman Study.
Section V: The Economic Benefits of Greenways
Knox to O a k R id ge G reen wa y Stu d y
64
Private/public partnerships are becoming more common as residents and businesses see positive returns on
investment. Colorado beer producer New Belgium Brewing Company located its East Coast brewery in Asheville,
North Carolina, partly in support of the company’s environmental ethic, as well as its company bike culture. One of
the stipulations with building along the French Broad River was the City would construct a greenway on a donated
easement that ran through the property. When construction is complete, the company is likely to have invested an
estimated $150 million in Western North Carolina’s economy.
Tennessee Precedents
The following are examples of Tennessee greenways that exhibit noteworthy public/private partnerships in planning,
funding and/or construction.
The Tweetsie Trail Greenway
Length
4.5 miles constructed,
10 miles total planned
(longest rails-to-trails in
Tennessee)
Gravel Fines Trail
Connections
Founders Park in
Johnson City to
Downtown Elizabethton,
TN
Destinations
Shopping, Business,
Parks, Restaurants, Golf
Course
Funds Raised
All private money $800,000 to date
Big Idea
Eventually connect to Roan
Mountain
Unique Features
Refurbished train depot
65
The first section of the Tweetsie Trail opened on August 30,
2014, after eight years of planning and private donations.
A master plan was accepted by Johnson City in 2012 with
an original price tag of almost $6 million. Johnson City
put together the Tweetsie Task Force to tackle fundraising,
raising $800,0009 to date to construct 4.5 miles of trail.
Property owners donated land and easements, while
individuals, businesses, and local governments donated
money and materials, from single bricks and benches to
entire bridges. The iconic gateway sign at the trailhead
was donated by Snyder’s Signs, and the materials for the
entrance to the trail were donated by General Shale.
One local business that pushed planning efforts forward
was Tupelo Honey Café. The owner approached Johnson
City and promised to build a restaurant in the old train
depot if a greenway connection was built. The cafe owner
purchased the vacant depot and refurbished it, adding not
only jobs but also a destination on the trail.
Other local businesses were in step to take immediate
advantage of the Tweetsie Trail after construction. One
apartment complex along the trail changed their name from
Cedar Grove View to Tweetsie Trail Village Apartments after
construction of the trail was complete. The owner, Sammy
Hubbard, said that they have experienced noticeably
more calls inquiring about vacancies since the trail was
constructed, and they consistently have to turn potential
renters away. They are considering raising rents at the
beginning of next year10.
9 Casey, T. (2014, September 2). Tweetsie task force talks trek turnout,
troubles, more. Johnson City Press.
10 Hubbard, S. (2014, September 30). Tweetsie Trail Name Change.
(D. Chandler, Interviewer)
Section V: The Economic Benefits of Greenways
Knox to O a k R id ge G reen wa y Stu d y
The Maryville-Alcoa Greenway
This first section of the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway was completed
in 1998. Funding was provided by an $850,000 federal grant.
Private partners also contributed to the greenway, including
Blount Memorial Hospital, Alcoa Inc. and other local businesses.
Donations were worth $300k in value, including easements and
land donations. Total project cost to date is $2,979,02011.
Figure 54—The Maryville-Alcoa Greenway
Image courtesy of www.knoxnews.com
The greenway has been a valuable marketing tool to lure business
interests in the immediate area. Ruby Tuesday moved corporate
headquarters to be on the edge of the greenway after considering
several cities in 1999. Samuel E. Beall, III, chairman and CEO,
stated, “I was very impressed with the beauty of the park, which
helps provide a sense of community to this area, as well as the
many benefits it provides to our more than 300 employees.”12
ProNova Solutions, a medical research company, announced
a $52 million investment in its corporate headquarters along
with research laboratories. The project is situated on 26 acres of
Pellissippi Place, a mixed-use development park at the end of
Pellissippi Parkway directly accessible via a greenway. This project
has the potential to lead to several thousand jobs in the region.
Blount Partnership, the business development agency for the
county, promotes greenways as a community benefit to relocating
or expanding within the county. Bryan Daniels, President and CEO,
said that not only were greenways and walkability a selling point
for the expansion of ProNova, but for other businesses as well13.
11
12
13
US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration,
“Enhancing America’s Communities: A Guide to Transportation
Enhancements,” Greenway Trail, p. 32, 2002.
Rails to Trails Conservancy. (2003). Economic Benefits of Trails and
Greenways. Washington, D.C.: Rails to Trails Conservancy.
Daniels, B. (2014, October 7). ProNova Expansion. (D. Chandler,
Interviewer)
Length
Main Spine is a 10-mile
paved trail
Springbrook Park in Alcoa
to Bicentennial Greenbelt &
Sandy Springs in Maryville
Destinations
Shopping, Business,
Nature Areas, Fitness
Stations, Picnic Pavilions
Funds Raised
Total Project
Cost $2,979,020;
Federal: $1,681,000;
Match: $1,298,020; 11
Big Idea
Eventually connect to
Great Smoky Mountains
National Park
Unique Features
Views of Greenbelt Lake
Figure 55—The Maryville -Alcoa Greenway
Image courtesy of www.siteselection.com
Section V: The Economic Benefits of Greenways
Knox to O a k R id ge G reen wa y Stu d y
66
Section
VI
67
Cost Estimates
Section VI: Cost Estimates
Knox to O a k R id ge G reen wa y M a s ter P la n
Section VI
Cost Estimates
Phase 1 EndsDutchtown Road/
Parkway Interchange
3
Individual phases have detailed
costs broken out in the following
pages. Some of the bigger ticket
items include:
Phase 2 Ends-Pellissippi
State Community College
Oak Ridge
Highway
E
AS
Cost estimates are based on
construction and permitting. It
does not include land acquisition
costs, which can be significant
and are hard to predict until land
owner outreach is conducted. The
goal should be to acquire right-ofway through donations of land or
easements when possible to help
manage cost.
*
Phase 3 Ends-North side
of Solway Bridge
PH
Costs For
Construction and
Permitting
PHASING DIAGRAM
*
*
Phase Terminus
PH
AS
Preferred Route
Existing Greenways
E2
*
*
E1
S
HA
P
North Cedar Bluff Road
Dutchtown Road
Recommended Trailheads
Figure 56—Potential Cost Per Phase
(Construction &
Permitting)
TOTAL COST
COST PER
LINEAR
FOOT
COST PER
MILE
TOTAL
MILES
Phase 1: The
Southeastern
Corridor
$3,415,000
$116
$610,000
5.6
• Cross Creek trailhead
(~$103,000)
Phase 2: The
Central Corridor
$1,212,000
$104
$551,000
2.2
• Other trailheads (Average
~$20,000)
Phase 3: The
Northern Corridor
$4,160,000
$145
$770,000
5.4
• The greenway itself, with
average construction costs of
$601,000 per mile
• A Sinking Creek bridge
(~$41,000)
• Stormwater controls
• Fencing and retaining walls
PHASE
TOTAL:
$8,787,000 Total Cost For Construction & Permitting
13.2
• The cantilevered pedestrian
walkway on the Solway Bridge
(~$560,000)
Planning, design, permitting, and engineering have been incorporated into these costs. However, not all costs can be
predicted, and cost estimates are based on known issues and proposed design features. Connector routes were not
figured into these costs unless an immediate crossing could be designed and built as part of the greenway.
Section VI: Cost Estimates
Knox to O a k R id ge G reen wa y M a s ter P la n
68
Phase 1: The Southeastern Corridor
Probable Cost Estimate January 2015
Cost estimates are preliminary and subject to change
Units
Quantity
LS
1
LF
SF
CY
SF
MI
29506
6126
226
390
5.58
Mid-block crossing (Cross Park Drive)
Mid-block crossing (Fox Lonas Road)
Mid-block crossing (Christian Academy Boulevard)
Mid-block crossing with island to connect to Parkwest Medical Center (Sherrill Boulevard)
Mid-block crossing (Mabry Hood Road)
Mid-block crossing (Investment Drive)
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
1
1
1
1
1
1
$770.00
$770.00
$770.00
$13,520.00
$770.00
$770.00
$770
$770
$770
$13,520
$770
$770
Four-way Crossing Improvements- Dutchtown Road/ Parkway Interchange
EA
2
$3,000.00
$6,000
Intersection improvements for all crossings (truncated domes and ramps)
EA
12
$3,500.00
SUB-TOTAL
$42,000
$65,370
SF
EA
480
2
$85.00
$1,200.00
$40,800
$2,400
EA
SF
EA
LS
EA
1
3000
16
1
1
EA
EA
EA
1
2
1
Mobilization
Mobilization (includes mobilization for all work like grading, greenway, street crossings, drainage, etc.)
Cost Per Unit
$51,386
SUB-TOTAL
Costs notes:
$51,386
2% of construction cost
$51,386
Grading & Greenway Construction
12' asphalt new
6' concrete expansion (10' total sidewalk)
Excavation/ earthwork for sidewalk expansion
Retaining Wall
Stormwater BMPs/Storm drainage
Street Crossings
$60.00
$32.00
$7.00
$35.00
$60,000.00
SUB-TOTAL
$1,770,360
$196,032
$1,582
$13,650
$334,800
includes base course & typical
earthwork
1,021 LF @ 6' wide
1,021 LF @ 1' deep and 6' wide
anticipated 3' avg. height
$2,316,424
Costing is for high visibility
crosswalks
Note: Dutchtown Road already
has improvements
Drainage Crossings
Bridge (Sinking Creek crossing)
24" Culverts (2 crossings near Sinking Creek)
SUB-TOTAL
1 bridge @ 40' @ 12' clear deck
$43,200
Cross Creek Trailhead
Information/map kiosks
Paved parking lot for six cars
Bollards or stone monuments (at intersections)
Landscape/Plantings Enhancements
Bicycle Rack
$7,500.00
$20.00
$1,250.00
$15,000.00
$800.00
SUB-TOTAL
$7,500
$60,000
$20,000
$15,000
$800
$103,300
Overlooks
Decking at major sinkhole
Interpretive Signage
Decking at pond near Dead Horse Lake Golf Course
$20,000.00
$3,000.00
$15,000.00
SUB-TOTAL
$20,000
$6,000
$15,000
$41,000
Planning, Design, Permitting & Engineering
Permitting*
LS
1
$3,000.00
Flood study / No-rise permitting
Construction Documents & Engineering (includes everything but permitting and surveying)
LS
1
$8,000.00
Surveying
LF
$8,000
$314,482
12%
29506
$0.78
SUB-TOTAL
SUBTOTAL
15% Contingency
Italicized cells indicate items considered as an element that will require design & engineering
$3,000
TOTAL
$23,015
$348,496
$2,969,176
$445,376
$3,414,553
*Anticipated permitting includes erosion control, right-of-way encroachments, regulatory environmental (buffer encroachment, stream crossing, etc),
Units:
EA= each
LS= lump sum
LF= linear foot
TN= ton
SY= square yard
MI= Mile
Notes: 1.) Cost estimate does not include: landowner outreach, traffic impact studies, land acquisition, wetland determination/delineation, potential rock and unsuitable soils
excavation, permitting fees, utility coordination, attorney costs, transactional fees and taxes 2.) Trail costs are based on historic project costs with varying conditions. Costs include
clearing and grubbing, paving, base, geogrid, minor storm drain pipe, erosion control features, plantings, signs, pavement markings, minor modular retaining walls. 3.) This section
includes estimates for major retaining walls (taken into account under "Grading" cost per unit).
69
Section VI: Cost Estimates
Knox to O a k R id ge G reen wa y M a s ter P la n
(12% of Construction)
Phase 2: The Central Corridor
Probable Cost Estimate January 2015
Cost estimates are preliminary and subject to change
Mobilization
Mobilization (includes mobilization for all work like grading, greenway, street crossings, drainage, etc.)
Units
Quantity
LS
1
LF
3616
Cost Per Unit
$18,243.50
SUB-TOTAL
Costs notes:
$18,244 2% of construction cost
$18,244
Grading & Greenway Construction
12' asphalt new
10' asphalt new
Retaining Wall (total for all of phase)
Fencing (total fencing for all of phase)
Stormwater BMPs/Storm drainage
LF
SF
LF
MI
5707
3810
1260
1.77
Marked crossing (Dutchtown Road and Sanctuary Lane)
Mid-block crossing (Sanctuary Lane)
Mid-block crossing (Bob Gray Road)
Marked crossing (Centervue Crossing Way)
Mid-block crossing (Carmichael Road)
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
1
1
1
1
1
Intersection improvements for all crossings (truncated domes and ramps)
EA
8
Street Crossings
Drainage Crossings / Bridges
$60.00
$45.00
$35.00
$100.00
$60,000.00
SUB-TOTAL
$770.00
$770.00
$770.00
$770.00
$770.00
$3,500.00
SUB-TOTAL
$216,960
$256,815
$133,350
$126,000
$106,200
From north of Bob Gray Road to
existing Pellissippi Greenway.
Includes base course & typical
earthwork.
Anticipated 3' avg. height
$839,325
$770
$770
$770
$770
$770
$28,000
1 bridge @ 40' @ 12' clear deck
Sanctuary Lane at Dutchtown
Road already has improvements
$31,850
24" Culverts
EA
1
$1,200.00
$1,200
Bridge Retrofit- Bob Gray Road separated pedestrian lane and restriping
LS
1
$16,500.00
$16,500
EA
LS
EA
1
1
1
LS
1
12%
11480
SUB-TOTAL
From Dutchtown Road to Bob
Gray Road. Includes base course
& typical earthwork
Includes jersey barrier divider,
restriping and fencing.
$17,700
Trailhead Near Covenant Health
Information/map kiosks
Landscape/Plantings Enhancements
Bicycle Rack
Planning, Design, Permitting & Engineering
Permitting*
Construction Documents & Engineering (includes everything but permitting and surveying)
Surveying
LF
$7,500.00
$15,000.00
$800.00
SUB-TOTAL
$3,000.00
$0.78
SUB-TOTAL
SUBTOTAL
15% Contingency
Italicized cells indicate items considered as an element that will require design & engineering
TOTAL
$7,500
$15,000
$800
$23,300
$3,000
$111,650.22 (12% of Construction)
$8,954
$123,605
$1,054,023
$158,103
$1,212,127
*Anticipated permitting includes erosion control, right-of-way encroachments, regulatory environmental (buffer encroachment, stream crossing, etc),
Units:
EA= each
LS= lump sum
LF= linear foot
TN= ton
SY= square yard
MI= Mile
Notes: 1.) Cost estimate does not include: landowner outreach, traffic impact studies, land acquisition, wetland determination/delineation, potential rock and unsuitable soils
excavation, permitting fees, utility coordination, attorney costs, transactional fees and taxes 2.) Trail costs are based on historic project costs with varying conditions. Costs
include clearing and grubbing, paving, base, geogrid, minor storm drain pipe, erosion control features, plantings, signs, pavement markings, minor modular retaining walls. 3.)
This section includes estimates for major retaining walls (taken into account under "Grading" cost per unit).
Section VI: Cost Estimates
Knox to O a k R id ge G reen wa y M a s ter P la n
70
Phase 3: The Northern Corridor
Probable Cost Estimate January 2015
Cost estimates are preliminary and subject to change
Units
Quantity
LS
1
12' asphalt new
LF
19788
$60.00
$1,187,280
10' asphalt new
Fencing (total fencing for all of phase)
Stormwater BMPs/Storm drainage
LF
LF
MI
7400
3985
5.16
$45.00
$100.00
$60,000.00
$333,000
$398,500
$309,600
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
1
1
1
1
1
1
12
24" Culverts
EA
2
Solway Pedestrian Bridge Cantilever- Using an FRP (fiber reinforced polymer)
Decking System, including steep support structure, deck, and railing
SF
8500
Solway access Ramp
LF
508
EA
EA
EA
1
1
1
EA
SF
LS
1
3000
1
LS
LS
1
1
12%
28440
Mobilization
Mobilization (includes mobilization for all work like grading, greenway, street crossings, drainage, etc.)
Cost Per Unit
$62,755.24
SUB-TOTAL
Grading & Greenway Construction
Street Crossings
Mid-block crossing (Solway Road near Greystone Apartments)
Mid-block crossing (Solway Road to Soccer Fields)
Marked crossing (George Light Road)
Mid-block crossing with island (Solway Road near Parkway interchange)
Marked crossing (Guinn Road)
Mid-block crossing (Sparks Road)
Intersection improvements for all crossings (truncated domes and ramps)
Drainage Crossings / Bridges
Pellissippi State Community College Trailhead
Information/map kiosks
Landscape/Plantings Enhancements
Bicycle Rack
Solway Trailhead
Information/map kiosks
Paved parking lot for six cars
Landscape/Plantings Enhancements
Planning, Design, Permitting & Engineering
Permitting*
Flood study / No-rise permitting
Construction Documents & Engineering (includes everything but permitting and surveying)
Surveying
LF
SUB-TOTAL
$770.00
$770.00
$770.00
$13,520.00
$770.00
$770.00
$3,500.00
SUB-TOTAL
$2,228,380
$770
$770
$770
$13,520
$770
$770
$42,000
$59,370
850' long x 10' wide. Price quoted to Equinox
by manufacturer Composite Advantage in 2014
$146,812
Anticipated 8' asphalt with 4' walls and rails
$7,500.00
$15,000.00
$800.00
SUB-TOTAL
$7,500.00
$20.00
$15,000.00
SUB-TOTAL
$3,000.00
$8,000.00
$0.78
SUB-TOTAL
$744,212
$7,500
$15,000
$800
$23,300
$7,500
$60,000
$15,000
$82,500
$3,000
$8,000
$384,062.07
$22,183
$417,245
$3,617,763
$542,664
$4,160,427
*Anticipated permitting includes erosion control, right-of-way encroachments, regulatory environmental (buffer encroachment, stream crossing, etc),
Units:
EA= each
LS= lump sum
LF= linear foot
TN= ton
SY= square yard
MI= Mile
Notes: 1.) Cost estimate does not include: landowner outreach, traffic impact studies, land acquisition, wetland determination/delineation, potential rock and
unsuitable soils excavation, permitting fees, utility coordination, attorney costs, transactional fees and taxes 2.) Trail costs are based on historic project costs
with varying conditions. Costs include clearing and grubbing, paving, base, geogrid, minor storm drain pipe, erosion control features, plantings, signs,
pavement markings, minor modular retaining walls. 3.) This section includes estimates for major retaining walls (taken into account under "Grading" cost per
unit).
Section VI: Cost Estimates
From Solway Park to project terminus. Includes
base course & typical earthwork.
$595,000
$289.00
Knox to O a k R id ge G reen wa y M a s ter P la n
From Pellissippi State Community College to
Solway Park. Includes base course & typical
earthwork
$70.00
15% Contingency
71
2% of construction cost
$2,400
SUB-TOTAL
TOTAL
$62,755
$62,755
$1,200.00
SUBTOTAL
Italicized cells indicate items considered as an element that will require design & engineering
Costs notes:
(12% of Construction)
Section
VII
Overall Corridor Recommendations
Section VII: Overall Corridor Recommendations
Knox to O a k R id ge G reen wa y M a s ter P la n
72
Section VII
Overall Corridor Recommendations
Partnerships
Partner With Business , Religious, and School Leaders. Employment centers and churches are major stakeholders
and landowners in the corridor. Both partners should be involved early in the process for support and to initiate
negotiations on potential easements. Of special note are two health-related corporations, Covenant Health and
Parkwest Medical Center, which may be key supporters of the greenway. An outreach action plan should identify these
type of partners that can be funders, advocates, and provide easement donations.
Partner With West Knox Utility District. Much of the preferred route and connectors overlap with existing sewer
utilities. Joint use of sewer easements is encouraged. This typically requires agreement with both the landowner and
the utility district. A master agreement with the district will be helpful in outlining guidelines to sewer easement use
and can also serve as a memorandum of understanding.
Partner With Non-Profits. Non-profits can have a critical role to play. Some non-profits that could play a role include
the Foothills Conservancy (securing and monitoring easements), the Trust for Public Land (funding), and the Legacy
Parks Foundation (funding, holding and monitoring easements), or others identified in the outreach action planning
process.
Planning
Form a Greenway Committee That Moves This Plan Forward. This committee can use existing Technical Advisory
Committee members, and can incorporate additional partners as needed, such as influential leaders in the business
community, non-profits, and others. Working groups of the committee can coalesce the many individual moving parts
of this plan into reality.
Incorporate This Plan Into Future Planning Documents. Examples include future revisions of the Tennessee
Technology Corridor Development Authority’s (TTCDA) Comprehensive Development Plan and Design Guidelines, and
the Knoxville/Knox County MPC’s Northwest County Sector Plan, which is being revised in conjunction with this study.
Land Acquisition
Utilize and Catalogue Water Quality Buffers/Required Easements. Knox County requires development to
maintain buffers along water bodies. These required buffers may be good places for negotiated/donated easements.
Documentation of easements between Knox County and the City of Knoxville are not centrally located, so in the future
a combined effort to record any easements that may benefit the greenway should be documented in one place for use
in greenway planning.
Negotiate Right-of-Way for the Greenway in Future Developments. A donated easement should be encouraged
and incentivized for any future development. Office parks, schools, apartments and planned unit developments
(PUDs) are perfect candidates for this.
Study Greenway Alignment Needed in the TDOT Right-of-Way (ROW) Early On. Initiating a detailed design
greenway study for the Pellissippi Parkway ROW sooner will accommodate what may be a lengthy negotiation process
with TDOT. Once detailed design is completed, agreements with TDOT should be secured. This will also identify if
there will be any need to utilize private lands in steeper areas.
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Section VII: Overall Corridor Recommendations
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Acquire Bigger Swaths of Greenway Corridor Along Environmentally Sensitive Land. These lands have a wider
array of funding sources available for environmental protection. Landowner incentives could also allow flexibility in
development if larger swaths of unusable lands were donated (i.e. the floodplain). Preserving larger swaths where
sinkhole and floodplains are problematic could be a cost savings to the County by preventing future flooding.
Create a Landowner Outreach Program. There are limited areas within the corridor that may require negotiated
easements with individual residential and commercial land owners. Working with multiple smaller landowners can
be challenging and a strategy around this should be developed. Strategy, process, protocol, and outreach goals
should be identified immediately. Getting ahead of hearsay and misconceptions is a valuable time investment with a
potential bigger payoff of getting landowners who are willing to negotiate.
“Big Ideas”
Redevelop Solway Into a Thriving Waterfront Commercial District, Showcasing the Greenway. The
redevelopment would promote small-scale commercial development that capitalizes on the asset of its Melton Hill
Lake waterfront, using the greenway as a lakefront promenade. Examples could include waterfront restaurants,
offices, and retail.
Develop Sponsors for Greenway Sections. Find businesses, non-profits, and churches that will sponsor sections of
the greenway. Sponsorship could include funding greenway construction and/or maintenance of the greenway.
Identify “Pocket Parks” Along The Greenway. These parks could be the trailheads identified in this study or small
parks built as part of future developments or through donated lands. These are small parks with opportunity for
benches, public art, small playgrounds or other basic features. Locating pocket parks should occur in future planning/
design phases.
Design
Connectors Can Be As Vital As the Greenway Itself. Connectors enable the greenway to be used as a transportation
route. Connectors in this study were identified to ensure connections to schools, future greenways, and existing
bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Design Matters. Creating a sense of place and identity of the greenway through hardscape, landscape, built
structures, and signage can make this greenway a regional icon. Gateway treatments near trailheads, adjacent to
commercial development, and near major road intersections can be a great way to do this.
Work With TTCDA to Develop Greenway Design Guidelines. This can be included in a revision of TTCDA’s Design
Guidelines. Additionally, requirements for inclusion of dedicated greenway easements should be considered in those
Guidelines.
Section VII: Overall Corridor Recommendations
Knox to O a k R id ge G reen wa y M a s ter P la n
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