Latest news with #LegacyParksFoundation
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$1 million approved for greenway along North Broadway
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The City of Knoxville will be investing more than $1 million to acquire property for a new greenway along North Broadway. The City Council authorized Mayor Indya Kincannon to invest the funds to acquire the property for the new greenway during the regular meeting on May 13. 'Makes you proud to be an American': Veterans running across US reach East TN The funding includes money for a sidewalk, pedestrian crossing improvements and ADA accessibility upgrades along North Broadway between Woodland Avenue and the existing First Creek Greenway, which is south of Cecil Avenue. Over the last year, improvements have been made to North Broadway, including the addition of a raised median being added to prevent northbound left turns to southbound Hall of Fame Drive and a $2.5 million project that added sidewalks near the I-640 interchange. Greenways serve as both recreation and transportation paths with scenic, paved routes that are great for walkers, runners, bikers and strollers. The City of Knoxville currently has more than 125 miles of paved greenways and natural trails, and 54 miles of those greenways are ADA-accessible. Flies found during inspection at Knoxville restaurant Although the exact plan for the greenway has not been revealed, earlier this year, in December, the City of Knoxville and the Legacy Parks Foundation announced an effort seeking to turn a South Knoxville railway into a trail connecting Chapman Highway and Ijams Nature Center. Landowners near the project, however, filed a lawsuit seeking compensation, which they could be entitled to if the operator of the railway acquired their land use through an easement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Landowners near Knoxville ‘rail-to-trail' project file lawsuits seeking compensation
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Landowners along a 3.8-mile stretch of railroad tracks in South Knoxville that the city aims to convert into a greenway are suing the federal government. The intent is not to stop the project, but rather to seek compensation for the landowners under longstanding federal law. In December, the city and Legacy Parks Foundation announced plans to convert the seldom-used stretch of railway into a nature and hiking trail through the National Trails System Act. Two law firms have filed federal lawsuits on behalf of landowners, arguing federal approval of the project could entitle landowners to monetary compensation. PREVIOUS: New Rail-to-Trail project hopes to spur growth in South Knoxville During the proliferation of railroads in the 1800s or early 1900s, railroad companies would make agreements with landowners during the creation of these railway corridors. If the land was not purchased outright by the company through imminent domain, many would acquire the right to use land for railroad purposes by receiving an easement. Easements preserved a landowner's rights to take the land back if the railroad company were to abandon the corridor. Since Gulf and Ohio Railways has applied for abandonment of the property of the South Knoxville rail line with the intent of offering it up for the greenway project, neighboring landowners could be entitled to compensation if Gulf and Ohio Railways acquired its use through an easement. TN bill would roll back state-level protections of wetlands in favor of developers The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that the federal government cannot take private land from landowners for public use without paying just compensation. ▶ See more top stories on Landowners have a limited period of time to file a claim. Both law firms are set to hold meetings this month for potential plaintiffs. Lewis Rice LLC will host meetings on Wednesday, April 16 at 5:30 p.m. & Thursday, April 17 at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at Kern's Food Hall- 2201 Kern's Rising Way Stewart, Wald & Smith will be holding informational meetings on Wednesday, April 16, at 5:30 p.m. & Thursday, April 17 at 9:00 a.m. at Hampton Inn & Suites, Knoxville- Downtown, Rocky Top Boardroom, 618 W Main St. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
