News Flash: City remembers Northern Broadway

Those of us that live in North Knoxville, I mean North of Fourth & Gill, should be happy to hear that we may actually get some attention from the powers that be. In the fall of 2008, The Metropolitan Planning Commission hired an architectural firm to draft an improvement plan for Broadway through Fountain City.

Well, it seems they’re done. The approval meeting was held this morning at 9am. I was busy watching Magnum PI so I didn’t attend. It would be great if someone who attended would comment and give a summary. I’ll try and get a copy of the plan.

The improvement plan is supposedly based upon a ‘Complete Streets’ concept designed to address problems that arise for pedestrians and bicyclists. If you have ever attempted either on Broadway, you are a thrill seeker. Broken sidewalks, non-functioning cross walk signals, and narrow roads are the only things that welcome you.

Whomever got this project started…..thank you.

Taggart Building on WBIR’s Live at Five

Rooftop Garden in North Knoxville 5-26-09

By any measuring stick, Knoxville does not contain a high concentration of cutting edge architects or designers. Don’t get me wrong, there are a few groups whose projects I adore, but the vast majority of new or renovated structures are, to be kind, conservative. And since architects are one of the primary idea movers in the building industry, Knoxville has not embellished the sustainability movement.

Until now, the only Green Roofs in the Knoxville free market were Caraba’s faux plants and a few residential pioneers. As WBIR reported today on Live at Five, the Taggart Building has begun installation of Knoxville’s first usable commercial green roof. Leasers  of The Studio will have private use of the Green Roof for breaks, lunches, or meetings.

So the question is asked ‘How much is a creative work environment worth to you and your employees?’ Maybe nothing, maybe everything.  It depends on your philosophy.

KAT Noises 5-15-09

Even for a North Knoxville old schooler, riding the city bus is probably something that occurs about as often as Halley’s Comet. The KAT bus system is a little bit foreign, a little shady at times, and a little aggravating if a driver gets stuck behind one in the right hand lane.

Self admittedly the KAT is sometimes more inconvenient than we would like: one has to plan pick-up times to correspond with the evening’s events, it is hardly ever on time and is slower than a car. It may appear that I am building a foundation against the KAT, but I am not.

Recently, while contemplating moving to a new house, I used the KAT bus routes as a factor in eliminating potential homes. Not that I ride the bus so often, but I do value having the option. There is something emancipating about taking the bus downtown to meet friends with dinner and not have to worry about parking or driving a car back.

Yet there is another underlying value to the ride. It forces me to change my routine if only for a few hours. Instead of continuing the daily habit of rushing everywhere, I must plan ahead for the bus pick-up, relax and give up control to the bus and its urban journey. Instead of focusing on the car ahead of me on Broadway, I find a new cafe of which I have become a faithful customer of. Instead of listening to the radio, I learn from a fellow KAT passenger that Roger Allen Wade is playing at Barleys tonight, unannounced.

I challenge you to try a KAT. It may not be to your liking or it may be the best $1.50 you’ve spent since the tilt-a-whirl at the TVA&I Fair.

Mailman Sam 5-11-09

I have lived in various parts of Knoxville, even the dreaded West Knoxville (cough*nudge*nudge), and I have never met a mailman as nice as Sam. If you live in WeBro then you know what I am talking about. I have never seen the guy in a bad mood and he always finds the time to at least say hello.

I lived on Fairfax Ave for a few yrs and then moved a couple of blocks south. After a two year hiatus with a PO Box, I restarted my front door mail at the new address. The first week I met Sam out front, he called me by name. What a quality guy.

I know there may come a time when front-door mail delivery may become too inefficient to continue and I understand that everything has a price, but I sure am going to miss it.

Blue Bean the breakfast queen 5-10-09

If you are like me, your breakfast should be by nature: cheap, tasty, and warm (in that order). I also like simplicity. I don’t need a cinnamon swirl, orange peel, and toasted salmon bagel. I want a biscuit, gravy, and an orange juice.

That is why most of the time I stroll down to The Blue Bean (next door to Harbys Pizza). The owner is extra friendly and they have one of the best biscuits and gravy nearby. Every time I see the McDonalds drive-thru line backing up onto Broadway in the morning just a block from The Blue Bean, I want to knock on their windows and say ‘Wanna know where you can get your breakfast cheaper, tastier, and faster?’ But something about happy clowns creep me out and I am afraid that Ron will step down from his concrete stoop and confront me.

I recommend trying it out. I think you will find it worthwhile. If you’re lucky you might just hit it on a morning when they are making the sausage pinwheels!

Goodbye Hut O’ Pizza 5-07-09

‘Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or nation”. Seems like Oscar Wilde wrote that line just for our neighborhood pizza giant. It wasn’t much to look at, it got robbed a few times, made the sex scandal blotter a few times, but it sure was good to have around 10pm when everything else was closed.

Seems the city is going to start a major flood control project which will include eliminating the WeBro side of First Creek, tunneling under Emoriland, replacing the bridge at Fairmont, and widening the creek.

Oh well, we still have Harby’s which is all I really care about anyway.

Rain Barrels!

Got a roof? If so, you could take advantage of free rainwater to help with watering needs in your yard, flower pots or garden. It is really rather easy to start. Minimally, all you need is a catch basin placed under your gutter. If you are like me though, you will want to know more. Read on!

Besides being better for plants than tap water, think of how much water you can save by collecting the free stuff from the sky, not to mention savings on your waste-water bill which is directly proportional to your water bill. If you are watering your lawn, then you are paying for the water and the sewer (although not quite fair for you the consumer, this is the only way KUB can track your sewage use). One could easily pay for the rain barrel several times over in a year depending on how much plant watering is done.

The Catch Basin

You can use almost anything for a basin including a 50 gal drum. This will work for small apartment gardens, but for homes I recommend upgrading to a 250 gal as seen above. I dressed the one above with lumber but they can be left exposed depending on your taste. 250 gal will allow you to save more water during July and August when rain is scarce.

Don’t let the 250 gal size scare you, an average Knoxville spring rain will fill this basin in 10 minutes at my house. In fact, Fountain City received 3.17 inches of rain in March.  For a typical North Knoxville home with a 1,100 sq ft roof, that is over 2,000 gallons of usable water.

Gutter to Basin Connection

This involves nothing more than finding than best spot for your basin by taking into account the highest elevation of your property and the nearest proximity to your gutter with elevation being the most important factor. You can always buy some plastic pipe from Home Depot to connect a distant Basin to your gutter, but you can’t fool the law of gravity. Having a nice slope to your yard will allow you to maintain decent water pressure without a pump. If you are a flat-lander, then you might consider a solar or electric pump to help boost your water pressure.

Basin to Plant Logistics

The best way to dispense the water is, of course, a hose. The hose connection to the basin may be tricky but a trip to Lowe’s will solve the problem. You can do several things with the water once you have it collected. You can use it in high volume amounts by filling watering pitchers, dog bowls, or flower containers. You can also use the water in low flow situations by attaching a drip line. Drip lines are the most efficient way to water plants. Since each dripper is only using 1-4 gallons per hour and very little evaporates, collected rain could last a long time.

If you are interested in a rain barrel like I have above, I can provide one for $100 (without the wood). If you need some questions answered I can do that for free: jymcnabb@gmail.com

Live Easier- Residential Loft

A home should always make you feel good when you enter it. This 1800 sq ft private residence does just that with tall ceilings, exposed ceilings, and great spaces. With a layout designed by a modern architect, the space takes advantage of the old building envelope to create a quality atmosphere for those who enjoy simple and efficient living.

Old hardwood floors were redone, the original ceiling joists were reused, and large windows were reglazed to eliminate the need for artificial light except at night. This residence occupies the second floor, across the corridor from the office space.

It includes (2) bedrooms, (2) baths, a study, full laundry room, and (2) outside patios. This unit is for rent at $925 per month.

• KAT Bus Line Route

• 2 miles North of Downtown

• 3 miles to UT

Office Space Available

A complete remodel of one of the 2nd floor spaces has yielded a 1,800 sq ft open form office space with private access to a 900 sq ft Green Roof for employee and customer enjoyment. This office loft space overlooks the future courtyard.

By investing on the front end with roof structure that would span long distances, an environment with only one interior load bearing wall exists. This allows the resident an unlimited selection of floor plan options. Office space comes complete with ADA bathroom, shower and kitchen.

The space is furnished with almost all necessities and will require very little capital investment, if any, to start-up. Can’t afford a large space and only need a desk? We have answers for that as well with our co-op office space starting as low as $325/month.

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