Fwd: Comcast Investment in East Knox: Opportunity for Greenway Connection?

Brian and Chris: 

Read on the city blog this morning that Comcast is investing in its Asheville Highway facility.

This may be an opportune time to approach the Comcast RE: a possible greenway connection from the Comcast call center to a small greenway loop / Holston river at Chilhowee Ballfields.

My hope is a connection from Comcast's Call Center to the adjacent park would raise the profile and usage of a little known and majorly neglected asset of the City's.  

The city does not seem to "claim" (or maintain, apparently), the portion of the paved pathway along the river and former swimming club; however, KGIS suggests the city does own the property alongside the river. See map below, highlighting the location of the call center. Yellow arrows indicate areas of potential enhancement to the park and greenway facility.

​Although the city does not own the land connecting the walking path from the greenway loop to George Bounds Road, I feel we should always advocate for partnerships with private landowners as a matter of course.

Also note there's a wastewater treatment facility south of the electric power transmission lines, possibly posing opportunities for greenway construction. The powerline right of way itself poses opportunity for greenway construction linking back to the ballfields.

For a larger view, see the attached PDF, Holston Chilhowee Ballfields, or visit KGIS.

The severely neglected paved path adjacent to the river offers views of the Holston River adjacent to Asheville highway bridge:

Thanks,

-Tanner

Strategy for Outreach to Comcast re: Possible East Knox Greenway Connection?

Hi Brian,

I have no knowledge of Comcast's potential interest, I just have wishful thinking :)

In general, I'd like to see a trend of our local businesses both asking for and supporting greenway connections.

I understand this has happened a few times - but I'm unsure there's wide understanding that the city actively works with business owners on greenway connections and easements.

I think a valuable undertaking for the commission would be to craft a strategic "recruitment message" to draw potential partners / communicate the benefits of connecting a business to a greenway.

For example, there's that often quoted metric about how "home values increase near parks and greenways."

The figure was just repeated in the new 2015 Parks and Recreation Guide. 

However, there are also tangible and intangible benefits for businesses.

I know there are many articles, even scholarly journal articles, talking about how workers are happier and more productive with access to even just a few minutes of nature.  Businesses should infer that greenway access for employees translates to better performance, more satisfied employees, less turnover and training.

I'd like to see something of a "toolkit" for our corporate citizens to express interest in and/or financially support greenway connections or property easements.

Concerning how to contact Comcast to gauge interest:

I found this e-mail address:

We_Can_Help@cable.comcast.com

Another, more personal approach might be to see who we know that knows someone at Comcast.

For example, by using LinkedIN I found two likely prospects:

Executive vice president for the central region based in Knoxville, Valerie Gillespie:

https://www.linkedin.com/pub/valerie-gillespie/7/40a/3a3

Vice President for Government and Community Affairs out of Atlanta, Andy Macke: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/andy-macke/3/76a/670

Before trying a cold call, it might be best to see if anyone on the commission is connected to a Knoxville based Comcast manager.

Any ideas off hand? I could also send out an e-mail to our group to inquire.

-Tanner

First U.S. bicycle route will link Atlanta to Chattanooga | Route 666

First U.S. bicycle route will link Atlanta to Chattanooga | Route 666:

U.S. Bike Route 21 is Georgia’s first U.S. Bicycle Route designation that connects Atlanta to Chattanooga on the Tennessee border. The bike route is 160.8 miles long. The Georgia Department of Transportation has been coordinating with Tennessee to designate USBR 21, which will eventually connect Atlanta to Cleveland.

A fresh view: Urban park nearly ready for turnover to city - News Sentinel Story

A fresh view: Urban park nearly ready for turnover to city - News Sentinel Story:

Legacy Parks bought the 69 acres on a ridge overlooking Fort Loudoun Lake and downtown Knoxville in 2009 for $1.5 million. Within the next two months, the foundation will give the land to the city, which plans to develop walking trails across the Civil War battle site.

“The bike path will be along the bottom, so this will be a passive park for people to come read a book and meander around and have the most beautiful view of downtown Knoxville and the river ever,” Pavlis said.