Tennessee
South Waterfront – with or without pedestrian bridge – could welcome hotels and a museum
See how the Knoxville riverfront is changing near downtown
Public and private money is going toward waterfront revitalization on both sides of the Tennessee River near downtown Knoxville.
Ryan Wilusz, Knoxville News Sentinel
- After accepting $20 million from the state, the city of Knoxville wants to lower the cost of a pedestrian bridge across the Tennessee River.
- CRE Consulting Corps has identified growth opportunities along the water, including a hotel across from the University of Tennessee campus.
- A “statement piece” similar to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga could work between the river and Sevier Avenue, the report says.
- Consultants also see Sevier Avenue continuing to grow as a retail destination as infrastructure is improved.
With or without a proposed pedestrian bridge, experts have identified dozens of ways Knoxville’s South Waterfront could grow over the next few years, including through the addition of hotels, restaurants and a “statement piece” akin to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga.
The city of Knoxville voted Sept. 5 to accept $20 million in state funds toward a pedestrian bridge connecting the University of Tennessee at Knoxville campus to the South Waterfront. That bridge, as currently designed, is estimated to cost $70 million.
With this funding, which would be returned if the bridge is not built, city officials believe Knoxville has a better chance of receiving a $25 million federal grant that was denied during the most recent application cycle.
In the meantime, the city will work with a firm to rethink the design of the bridge with the goal of lowering the cost to closer to $55 million.
As this 13-year-old vision gains momentum, the city and East Tennessee Realtors called upon CRE Consulting Corps to evaluate the potential of the South Waterfront, from Sevier Avenue to west of Chapman Highway.
“The CRE team’s final report provides strategic guidance for local leaders as they work to create a riverfront that is an award-winning example for the nation that binds and connects people to the river, to Knoxville, and to the adjoining nature preserves and parks,” East Tennessee Realtors wrote in a news release
Here are some of the most notable suggestions in the 53-page report analyzed by Knox News.
Hotels could benefit the University of Tennessee
Buildings west of the Henley Street bridge, near where the southern end of the pedestrian bridge would land, should be preserved immediately to encourage new uses such as mobile kitchens, creative bars and pop-up retail, according to the report.
If access to the river is increased in this area, with grassy spaces and picnic tables, a restaurant or music stage could even be positioned on a barge.
Long term, consultants see the potential for a hotel in this area − maybe two. With the land sloping up from the river, mid-rise buildings set farther back could still have views of the river without being directly on the water.
A hotel should have at least 150 rooms to encourage meetings. With the university directly connected to the area, UT Knoxville could leverage a hotel and its meeting areas to encourage continuing education.
“Alumni and others could be connected to the campus yet find a more relaxed area than being in the center of campus,” the report says. “There could be integrated quality housing for faculty or graduate students, but we do not see this as a large component of the development.”
Knoxville riverfront could benefit from a tourism attraction
The area immediately east of the Gay Street bridge has the most potential for a “statement piece,” according to the report. This area still is used for industrial purposes, with Holston Gases owning nine parcels, and the properties have “the reputation of being difficult to acquire and difficult to develop.”
However, the consultants view this lack of development as a “blessing.” If the land were open for development, it likely would have been filled with apartments by now.
“This site presents a tremendous opportunity to create a destination − a statement piece − and we urge all stakeholders to dream big,” the report says. “Other communities have successfully created meaningful attractions, and this could be the site to host a future museum or other award-winning and postcard-worthy institution.”
Here are some examples from other cities included in the report:
- Tennessee Aquarium – Chattanooga
- Kiewit Luminarium – Omaha, Nebraska
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – Cleveland, Ohio
- Peace Center – Greenville, South Carolina
“The primary near-term recommendation is to engage with the owners and develop/maintain an ongoing channel of communication with the owners,” the report said. “Planning over someone else’s property is a sensitive issue and should be handled with permissions and communications with the current owner.”
Sevier Avenue should keep growing as a retail destination
Part of the codes specific to the South Waterfront requires 70% of the ground level on new Sevier Avenue buildings to be glass. The intent is to encourage commercial and retail uses in multifamily buildings but, as outlined in the report, developers often request exemptions to the 70% rule.
Consultants suggest removing this requirement or, perhaps, requiring retail just on the corner of multifamily developments.
Forcing commercial development into multifamily buildings could create a retail community that’s “sporadic at best,” they said. The neighborhood feel of Sevier Avenue sought in the South Waterfront Vision Plan is more likely to be created through retail spaces in smaller developments on empty lots.
Infrastructure improvements will be important throughout South Waterfront neighborhoods, according to the report. Certain improvements, including underground utilities, already are being worked out by the city through its plan to overhaul Sevier Avenue with a streetscape.
The city’s streetscape plan also calls for adding on-street parking, creating new bike lanes and building a roundabout at the intersection of Island Home Avenue.
Consultants suggest closing Council Street and turning Sevier Avenue, which splits at its western end, into a two-way street in both directions. Sevier Avenue also could benefit from a “placemaking entrance” welcoming people to the neighborhood, according to the report.
Ryan Wilusz is a downtown growth and development reporter. Phone 865-317-5138. Email ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com. Instagram @knoxscruff.
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Tennessee
Titans Defender Issues Confident Statement About Next Season

One of the Tennessee Titans’ biggest bright spots across the 2024 season was the emergence of rookie defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, who burst onto the scene as an instant impact player on the team’s front seven during his first year pro.
And now, as he enters his sophomore campaign, Sweat is clearly feeling both confident and excited for the season ahead, ready to make a big jump from his year one efforts.
“I’m very excited to go into my second year,” Sweat said during Titans OTAs. “I feel a lot more comfortable playing this game, especially in my second year in this league. I’m ready. It’s going to be good, man.”
Sweat was the Titans’ 38th-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Texas and came out of the gates as one of the best rookie contributors on Tennessee’s otherwise bumpy season.
Through 17 games and 16 starts, Sweat put together 51 combined tackles, four TFLs, along with a forced fumble and fumble recovery, both of which came from Tennessee’s Week 13 contest vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars.
And now heading into year two, Sweat has the outlook for another impactful season on the horizon. He’ll be starting on the Titans’ defensive front once again next to Jeffery Simmons and Sebastian Joseph-Day, but will look to be a part of a much better pass rush and run defense than their season prior. In 2024, Tennessee was ranked top ten in the NFL for rushing yards allowed, and in the bottom three for sacks, pressures, and hurries.
For the Titans to lift above their three wins from last season, it’ll likely have to come with a much more consistent force in their front seven across the year ahead. But, with a young, imposing presence like Sweat preparing for a big year two, it could make life a lot easier for Tennessee within their defensive trenches.
Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
Tennessee
Expert opinion: Arkansas reporter previews super regional vs. Tennessee
Expert opinion: Arkansas reporter previews super regional vs. Tennessee
Tennessee baseball and Arkansas are set to meet in Fayetteville for a spot in the 2025 College World Series.
Before the super regional gets underway this Saturday, I spoke with HawgBeat publisher Kyle Sutherland to get his thoughts on the matchup.
Here’s what he said.
TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM
What’s it been like for Arkansas since the Tennessee series?
“About as good of a rebound that you could ask in the regional after a one-and-done showing in the SEC Tourney. Mistakes early did them in against Ole Miss, then they outscored North Dakota State and Creighton, twice, 26-6 that included 10 total HR in a complete performance across the board.”
Do you think it plays into either team’s favor that there’s a recent meeting late in the year?
“Of course anytime you have previously played, especially within a couple of weeks, you’re going to know some things about each other but feel like both are really just more concerned about doing what they do best.
“One thing that I will be watching, I don’t feel like Liam will have two tough outings in a row. Especially with how he looked on Monday night.”
How big of an advantage will Arkansas playing at home be?
“Arkansas’ record at Baum-Walker speaks for itself, but despite that or DVH’s advantage record-wise over Tony V, you have to throw all of that out of the window when two great teams are fighting for a trip to Omaha. Plus, Tennessee is trying to defend its national title and Arkansas wanting to end that run in front of the home crowd adds to the spice.”
Is there any extra buzz about it being Arkansas’ year with it already being the highest seed left?
“For the fans, no question about it. I am sure in the players’ minds there is maybe a little bit too with all that is up for grabs, but successful teams focus solely on the next pitch and I think that is what you have with both of these clubs.
“But as far as the hype for Arkansas, I think most fans are not going to be fully satisfied until they win the big one. Literally everything else has been accomplished and three other SEC programs winning their first ever national title since the 2018 debacle just adds to the frustration.”
Who are the hot hands in the postseason for the Hawgs?
“C Ryder Helfrick (.545 BA, 3 HR, 4 RBI) got MVP of the Fayetteville Regional and six other Hogs were selected to the All-Tournament team. SEC Player of the Year SS Wehiwa Aloy hit two HR, plus RF Logan Maxwell and 2B Cam Kozeal also hit two over the weekend.
“Frankly, it’s hard to find a weakness. Leadoff LF Charles Davalan has been huge all year, even 9-hole CF Justin Thomas Jr. hit a HR over the weekend and has been pretty good covering center. Then you look at pitching, the bullpen has been nails but starting wise past Zach Root and Gage Wood it’s shaky.”
Tennessee
49ers Cut Former Titans OL

The Tennessee Titans are seeing a former player of theirs leave his latest spot in the NFL.
The San Francisco 49ers announced that they have cut offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere. The move came after the team signed wide receiver Malik Knowles and moved pass rusher Josh Huff to the team’s roster after passing his physical.
Petit-Frere signed a contract with the Niners on May 9, shortly after he was cut by the Titans. However, his time with the 49ers wasn’t meant to last.
Petit-Frere was a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, where he was expected to be a big-time contributor for the Titans. However, he ended up becoming a bust.
He started 16 games in his rookie season, but things began to go downhill going into 2023. He violated the league’s anti-gambling policy while also dealing with injuries, resulting in just three appearances in 2023.
In 2024, Petit-Frere lost his starting job early in the season and was never able to recover, leading to his release back in April shortly before the draft.
Petit-Frere will look to catch on elsewhere going into the new season.
Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
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