Say goodbye to Knoxville's 'The Strip' as you know it – big changes set for Cumberland
Ryan WiluszIf "The Strip" isn't already unrecognizable to old-school Vols, just give it a couple of years.
Cumberland Avenue is heading in that direction, as the city's vision for a pedestrian-friendly corridor next to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville continues to evolve.
Core Spaces, a Chicago-based student housing company, is preparing to make the biggest splash yet: one large parking garage to accommodate an anticipated four new buildings, comprised of more than 850 apartment units.
Two of those buildings are designed as 10 stories tall and, because Cumberland Avenue does not have many empty lots, these new structures mean some existing buildings must go.
When those buildings are demolished, it's a valid concern that Cumberland Avenue's character could die with it. But some would argue its character died years ago, as The Strip is populated with an abundance of fast food chains more than anything else.
Core Spaces is planning to build ground-level commercial space as part of its massive development, but can those spaces serve as a home for local businesses? And what happens to vehicle traffic on Cumberland Avenue when hundreds more students are living in The Strip's core?
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These are questions growth and development editor Brenna McDermott and yours truly, downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz, address on this week's episode of "The Scruffy Stuff" podcast.
Tune in to hear our takes on what the new era of Cumberland Avenue could look like, and how this big development could change the way people from across the city experience campus and The Strip.
Just search for "The Scruffy Stuff" on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You also can listen in the podcast player, below!
While Knox News is the best place to find the latest downtown news, "The Scruffy Stuff" podcast is the place to hear newsroom experts and guests push the conversation further.
Weekly episodes answer your burning questions about downtown Knoxville and cover a variety of topics, from business to lifestyle trends in the city's core — basically, anything and everything under the Sunsphere.
The Scruffy Stuff: Listen and learn
While Knox News is the best place to find the latest downtown news, "The Scruffy Stuff" podcast is the place to hear newsroom experts and guests push the conversation further.
Weekly episodes answer your burning questions about downtown Knoxville and cover a variety of topics, from business to lifestyle trends in the city's core — basically, anything and everything under the Sunsphere.
Episodes are released each Monday by downtown reporter and host Ryan Wilusz, along with visual journalist and producer Calvin Mattheis.
Growth and development editor Brenna McDermott co-hosts, and other newsroom staff members, whose specialties range from the University of Tennessee to local politics, join the show.
Have an idea? Want to be featured?
Between each episode, you can reach out to Ryan with feedback and your own questions about downtown Knoxville. The questions could become an episode, and your perspective might just be shared on the show.
Reach out to Ryan at ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com, and be sure to follow him on Instagram @knoxscruff. You can also follow Knox News on Instagram @knoxvillephoto.