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1. NAC Applications Due Sept. 18
2. Is Your Neighborhood Participating in National Night Out?
3. Waste & Resource Management Offers Mobile Collection
4. City Seeks Input on Stormwater Infrastructure Survey
5. City Hosts Community Meeting for Victor Ashe Park
6. Housing and Neighborhood Development Request Input
7. Better Building Board and Public Officer Hearings Scheduled for September
8. What's Next Knoxville? Fall Meetings Continue
9. KKB East Knox Clean up Coming Up Sept. 26
10. Young Williams Organizes Fundraising Competition
11. Knoxville Botanical Garden Hosts Several Fall Events
12. Bike Walk Knoxville Offers Friendly Driver Program
13. TDEC Offers Housing Rebates
14. Knoxville Neighborhoods Calendar (click link for online calendar)
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1. NAC Applications Due Sept. 18
There’s still time for residents to apply for a seat on the Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC), but the deadline is fast approaching. Applications for the Jan. 2027 through Dec. 2029 term are due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18.
The NAC brings together neighborhood leaders from across Knoxville to learn about City processes, provide feedback on policies and programs, advise the Office of Neighborhood Empowerment, and serve as a voice for residents on issues affecting neighborhoods citywide.
Current openings include:
- Seat 1-A (currently vacant)
- Seat 2-B (Alanna McKissack - term limited)
- Seat 4-B (Brent Waugh – term limited)
- Seat 5-A (Philip Hipps – term limited)
- Seat 6-A (Tiara-Lady Wilson)
- At-Large Seat C (Erin Hatfield)
Some current members are eligible to reapply, so not all open seats will necessarily be filled by new appointees.
This Council meets on the second Wednesday of each month, except for July and December. Members are appointed by the Mayor, confirmed by City Council, and serve three-year terms.
If you're passionate about Knoxville neighborhoods and want to help strengthen the connection between residents and local government, consider applying or encouraging a neighbor to do so.
For more information about how to recommend someone to NAC or to apply for a seat, please visit the City’s website or contact Debbie Sharp at dsh...@knoxvilletn.gov.
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2. Is Your Neighborhood Participating in National Night Out?
Knoxville is celebrating National Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 6, and neighborhoods across the city are planning to participate. Join communities across the city in hosting block parties, cookouts, and other events that promote safety and strengthen police-community partnerships.
If your neighborhood plans to participate, please submit your event information to Debbie Sharp at dsh...@knoxvilletn.gov and KPD at kpdwe...@knoxvilletn.gov no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1.
Please include the following information in your email:
- Neighborhood name
- Contact name
- Contact email
- Contact phone number
- Day of the celebration
- Time
- Event location (address)
- Planned activities (cookout, games, demonstrations, etc.)
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, helping make our neighborhoods safer and more connected places to live.
The City of Knoxville is partnering with South Knoxville Neighborhood & Business Coalition for a National Night Out Kickoff Event, also scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 6. If your neighborhood is not planning a celebration this year, you are welcome to join the Kickoff Event.
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3. Waste & Resource Management Offers Mobile Collection
The City's Waste & Resources Management office will be holding a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) mobile collection event on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 3-6 p.m. at the Dutchtown Convenience Center. Residents from Knoxville, Knox County, and the surrounding area are encouraged to bring their accepted HHW items for safe disposal.
This is a FREE and convenient drive-through event. Visit www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/HHW for a full list of accepted items. This is a very convenient way to collect and dispose of these items from your home.
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4. City Seeks Input on Stormwater Infrastructure Survey
Over the last three years, the City’s Stormwater Engineering Department has been analyzing the City’s stormwater infrastructure. This survey seeks public input on stormwater infrastructure and related challenges residents are experiencing.
The City will be accepting submissions until Friday, Sep. 18. This five-minute survey can be found here: Knoxville Stormwater Survey
The current phase of the Stormwater project includes:
- Evaluation of the Stormwater Asset Survey on our existing infrastructure
- Quantify the City’s infrastructure maintenance needs into real dollars
- Identify options for how to fund future maintenance and improvements
You may not think you know about storm water and engineering, but you have probably seen areas that flood in Knoxville. So, your input is valuable for making improvements.
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5. City Hosts Community Meeting for Victor Ashe Park
The City’s Parks & Recreation and Public Service Departments invite you to attend a meeting at Victor Ashe Park to discuss proposed ecological improvements to a 17-acre area that is currently managed as turf grass on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 5 p.m. at the Victor Ashe Park large pavilion by the restrooms and playground.
After a brief presentation, the group will walk to the proposed restoration site. So, you will want to wear comfortable shoes.
What is being proposed? Victor Ashe Park has large expanses of turf grass, heavily managed through routine mowing during the growing season. The City of Knoxville is proposing to convert a select 17-acre area to native grass and tree plantings as a practical way to create more functional, ecologically valuable public spaces in Knoxville.
Native landscapes can provide important habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while increasing plant diversity and improving the overall resilience of the landscape. Compared with traditional turf, native grass and wildflower areas typically require less frequent mowing and fewer long-term maintenance inputs, which can help reduce labor demands and save money over time. Restoration may also include planting or retaining scattered trees to create woodland oak savanna conditions that support a wider range of native species and add structure, shade, and visual interest to the landscape.
Existing cross-country trails and disc golf fairways will be maintained and continue to be open for recreational use.
Additional Information: Ecological Restoration - City of Knoxville. City staff looks forward to seeing you there.
The City of Knoxville ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services.
To request language translation services, contact the Human Resources Department at Tit...@KnoxvilleTN.gov or 865-215-3100. For disability accommodations, contact the Human Resources Department at A...@KnoxvilleTN.gov or 865-215-3100 at least 72 hours prior to the event.
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6. Housing and Neighborhood Development Request Input
The City of Knoxville is seeking public input on the draft Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for 2025-26 which details how the City used federal housing and community development funds during the program year that ended June 30, 2026.
The draft report is available for public review and comment for 15 days, beginning Sept. 10 and ending Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. The final report will be submitted to HUD by Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.
The CAPER describes how the City spent Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Grant (HOME) funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The report may be reviewed online at the City's Housing and Neighborhood Development website or in person at the Housing and Neighborhood Development Office, Suite 532-I (5th Floor City-County Building), 400 Main St. Printed copies may also be requested by contacting Wendy Rainey at 865-215-2865.
Residents are encouraged to submit comments on the draft report no later than Sept. 24, 2026. Comments may be emailed to Linda Rust at lr...@knoxvilletn.gov or mailed to:
Linda Rust, City of Knoxville Housing and Neighborhood Development Department, P.O. Box 1631, Knoxville, TN 37901.
The City of Knoxville is committed to ensuring meaningful access to its programs, services, and activities. Individuals needing disability accommodations should contact ADA Coordinator Betsy Cunningham at 865-215-3100 or A...@knoxvilletn.gov at least three business days before the close of the public comment period.
Those requesting language translation services should contact the Human Resources Department at tit...@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-3100 at least two days before the close of the comment period. For the best opportunity to review and comment on the report, residents needing accommodations or translation services are encouraged to make their requests as soon as possible after the draft becomes available.
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7. Better Building Board and Public Officer Hearings Scheduled for September
The City of Knoxville's Better Building Board (BBB) will meet on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 3:30 p.m. in the Small Assembly Room of the City County Building. The accompanying Public Officer Hearing (POH) is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25, at 9:30 a.m., also in the Small Assembly Room.
The Better Building Board plays an important role in the City's efforts to address unsafe and deteriorated structures. The board hears appeals from property owners who wish to challenge orders issued by the Public Officer regarding buildings determined to be unfit or dangerous. After reviewing a case, the board may uphold, modify, or overturn the Public Officer's order.
Public Officer Hearings are held to review properties that have been cited by Neighborhood Codes Enforcement. Following a hearing, property owners may be directed to repair, secure, improve, vacate, or demolish unsafe structures. If owners fail to comply, the City may undertake the required work and recover associated costs.
The September meetings provide an opportunity for property owners, neighborhood stakeholders, and interested residents to observe the City's property standards and code enforcement process in action. Cases heard by both bodies can have significant impacts on neighborhood safety, redevelopment efforts, and the preservation of Knoxville's housing stock.
Residents seeking additional information about attending or participating in a hearing may contact the City's Codes Enforcement Office at 865-215-2119 or via email at codesenf...@knoxvilletn.gov. Current agendas and hearing materials are available through the City of Knoxville's Better Building Board and Public Officer Hearings webpage.
The City of Knoxville ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services.
To request language translation services, contact the Human Resources Department at Tit...@KnoxvilleTN.gov or 865-215-3100. For disability accommodations, contact the Human Resources Department at A...@KnoxvilleTN.gov or 865-215-3100 at least 72 hours prior to the event.
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8. What’s Next Knoxville? Fall Meetings Continue
The City of Knoxville is updating their Comprehensive Plan and wants YOU to help shape Knoxville’s future.
During the first round of engagement, staff attended more than 110 events and engaged over 6,000 people to find out what residents love about Knoxville, what they want to retain, and what they think should change.
This fall, the project team is hosting another series of input sessions to ask how to prioritize what they heard while responding to future trends and challenges. They will present a draft vision statement and goals, along with different options for Knoxville's future. Anyone interested in weighing in can drop by at your convenience.
Meetings are scheduled as follows:
- Monday, Sep. 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Norwood Elementary Library, 1909 Merchants Dr.
- Tuesday, Sep. 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Whittle Springs Middle Cafeteria, 2700 White Oak Ln.
- Wednesday, Sep. 23, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Urban Wilderness Gateway Park, 1515 Tilson St.
- Wednesday, Sep. 30:
- 12 noon –2 p.m., East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St.
- 5:30-7:30 p.m., Bearden Middle Cafeteria, 1000 Francis Rd.
- Thursday, Oct. 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Dr. E.V. Davidson Community Center Gym, 3124 Wilson Ave.
For more, visit whatsnextknoxville.com/events
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9. KKB East Knox Clean Up Coming Up Sept. 26
Keep Knoxville Beautiful is hosting their sixth annual East Knoxville Community Clean up on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m.-12 noon at the Ashley Nicole Dream Playground, 620 Winona St.
Folks can arrive at the park to get supplies and then disperse to clean up area roads, creeks, and parks. Ijams Nature Center will be partnering to remove invasive species from Dr. Walter Hardy Park.
Participants of any age are welcome. There are several volunteer options available. Check out their website to see what works best for you and/or your group, and then pre-register.
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10. Young Williams Organizes Fundraising Competition for Both UTs
Young-Williams Animal Center will host a cross-city fundraising competition tied to the University of Tennessee Volunteers vs. University of Texas Longhorns football game in September. The tailgate-style event will feature adoptable pets, food, games, and a live broadcast of the game.
Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville and Austin Humane Society in Austin, Texas, will compete to see which shelter can raise the most donations by the end of the game, while raising money to help homeless pets in the communities.
The event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Young-Williams Animal Center, located at 3201 Division St. A simultaneous event is expected to take place at Austin Humane Society. The Longhorns will play at Neyland Stadium for the first time in program history in an SEC battle of the UTs with kickoff set for 12 p.m.
The fundraising competition will launch Monday, Sept. 21, with a live goal meter on the Young-Williams Animal Center website. The campaign goal is $5,000, with supporters encouraged to rally behind their team and shelter throughout the week and on game day. Young-Williams will also share fundraising updates from Austin Humane Society leading up to the game.
To learn more about the event or to donate, visit www.young-williams.org.
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11. Knoxville Botanical Gardens Hosts Several Fall Events
Join Knoxville Botanical Garden for an array of fun fall events! First up is the Green Thumb Gala on Sept. 27, followed by their Family Garden Day Oct. 18, and their Holiday Open House Nov. 13.
Their Green Thumb Gala is their largest fundraising event, where guests gather under the tent on the Great Lawn to celebrate community and important success in raising vital support for the garden. The theme this year is “In Full Bloom”, a testament to their dedication to grow this community asset. There is a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner, live entertainment, and more!
Family Garden Day is a free community event that invites families to connect with nature. Enjoy live music from local musicians, celebrate neighborhoods, browse their fall plant sale, and explore the garden!
For more information, tickets, and events, visit The Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum Website or call 865-862-8717.
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12. Bike Walk Knoxville Offers Friendly Driver Classes
Bike Walk Knoxville is organizing opportunities to share the Bicycle/Pedestrian Friendly Driver program for neighborhood organizations! This free class covers everything drivers need to know about sharing the road safely with cyclists and pedestrians and is perfect for drivers of all ages. This is especially important for teens and new drivers who would benefit from receiving this important education alongside their parents and neighbors!
Bike Walk Knoxville will provide all class materials, qualified instructors, marketing materials to promote the class to your neighborhood, and all at no cost to you or your group.
They would ask neighborhood groups to host the class, schedule a date and time for the 1 ½ hour class, coordinate a space with a screen, and help spread the word.
To learn more about the program or set up a class in your community, reach out to Bike Walk Knoxville Advocacy Director, Zoe Scott, at zoe....@bikewalktn.org!
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13. TDEC Offers Multifamily Housing EV Charging Rebates
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced an opportunity to improve access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for residents of multifamily housing. This will make $650,000 available for the installation of Level 2 EV charging infrastructure at multifamily residential properties.
This incentive provided by the State offers more support for the adoption of electric vehicles as well as improving health outcomes for the Knoxville community. If you live in an HOA, you can bring this to your board; if you live in an apartment complex, you can bring this opportunity to the management.
Applicants eligible for the rebate program include owners, authorized property managers, homeowner associations and authorized lessees of multifamily housing properties with a minimum of four units in Tennessee.
Applicants may apply for rebates for up to 10 charging plugs per site.
Qualifying projects are subject to two funding caps:
- 60% of total eligible project costs, up to $10,000 per charging plug, for projects located at housing developments that meet low-income housing eligibility criteria or are located in significantly burdened census tracts.
- 60% of total eligible project costs, up to $6,000 per charging plug, for all other developments.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to submit a reservation request for each proposed project location.
Reservation requests and rebate applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.
Additional information on eligibility criteria, reservation requests and rebate applications can be found on the Office of Energy Programs' Multifamily Housing Rebate Program webpage.
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