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Weekend edition February 10, 2023 | Shannon Smith

News Roundup | Hamilton, home show, and high-traffic spots

Here’s your weekly roundup of business news from throughout the Knoxville region.

If you have any business news or updates you’d like to feature in Teknovation Weekend, please send us an email at teknovation@pyapc.com.

Demolition set to begin on Cumberlad Avenue

Construction of Hub on Campus – a transformative private development on Cumberland Avenue that will include more than 800 apartments, 30,000 square feet of retail space and a 10-story parking garage – is now underway.

City of Knoxville permits have been approved to allow the developer’s construction crews to demolish existing buildings in the block bounded by Cumberland, White Avenue, 19th Street and 20th Street. A traffic control permit also has been approved.

Eventually, over several years, four blocks on both sides of Cumberland Avenue will be remade with four 8- to 10-story buildings. Considering the size of the Hub project, the first phase of demolition and reconstruction will have little direct impact on motorists and pedestrians.

For the initial demolition sequence, the sidewalk on the north side of Cumberland between 19th and 20th streets will be closed for two weeks, beginning today. Soon thereafter, the general contractor will construct a protected walkway that will cover the sidewalk, which is anticipated to remain open for the majority of the project’s construction, with closures occurring periodically.

Old City plant-based restaurant Vidl closes

As the Old City prepares to renovate old buildings and make room for more businesses with the upcoming construction of the multi-sport stadium, a prime piece of real estate is now vacated.

Plant-based restaurant Vidl closed its doors Wednesday at 111 E. Jackson Ave., the former home of Blühen Botanicals.

“It’s been a good ride Knoxville,” Vidle owner Jenna Baker wrote on Instagram Wednesday. “Vidl is closing permanently today. We are sad to share this announcement but most of all deeply grateful for the opportunity to have shared our vision with you. Thank you to so many for showing up in steady support of the business as patrons, friends, employees, fabricators, artists, and mentors. Thank you for sharing your talents, skills, kindness, resources, and for showing up to eat our food!”

No word on what’s next for Baker or the space.

‘Hamilton’ starts two-week run at Tennessee Theatre

Anyone just like their country who’s young, scrappy, and hungry does not want to throw away their shot to see the Tony-winning musical Hamilton as it debuts in Knoxville.

The show will run through February 19 at the Tennessee Theatre, after a much-anticipated wait and battle to get tickets.

Tickets are sold out, initially selling out in minutes during the email subscriber pre-sale as fans rushed to be in the room where it happens. Some lucky sweepstakes entrants were granted $10 tickets in a drawing earlier this week, but if you don’t have a ticket yet you’ll have to check resale websites. Spoiler, they’re not cheap.

Dogwood Arts House & Garden Show returns this weekend

If you need inspiration for your home decor, or want to know who can help with renovations and repairs, look no further than the Dogwood Arts House & Garden Show.

Running through Sunday afternoon at the Knoxville Convention Center, the annual event’s tickets max out at $10 a person.

“Our perennial preview of spring invites guests to leave winter at the door, experience over 10,000 sq. ft. of Grand Gardens, and meet the top vendors in home improvement, interior design, appliances, and more—all under one roof,” the event describes on its website.

You can purchase tickets here.

Seven of the nation’s worst bottleneck roads are in Tennessee

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) released its 12th annual list highlighting the most congested bottlenecks for trucks in America, and the state of Tennessee placed seven locations on the list, including one in the top 10.

The seven Tennessee bottlenecks are:

  • No. 9 Nashville: I-24/I-40 at I-440 (East)
  • No. 37 Nashville: I-40 at I-65 (East)
  • No. 39 Chattanooga: I-24 at US 27
  • No. 51 Nashville: I-65 at I-24
  • No. 59 Chattanooga: I-75 at I-24
  • No. 63 Knoxville: I-40/I-75 at I-140
  • No. 72 Knoxville: I-40 at I-275

“ATRI’s bottleneck report highlights the areas of our transportation network in need of investment so we can get goods and people moving,” American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear said in a release. “The cost of doing nothing is felt in needless delays, wasted fuel, and time.”


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