THREADS OF RENEWAL

Thread of Renewal proposes a transformative vision for central Knoxville by reactivating a series of vacant and underutilized lots along the historic railway corridor. Anchored by catalytic structures such as the KCS Maintenance and Operations facility and the Standard Knitting Mill, the project leverages a proposed greenway as a connective spine linking First and Second Creek and extending access toward East Knoxville. Through extensive site analysis, circulation studies, and community-focused research, the project identifies key nodes for mixed-use housing, public plazas, green parking, and new recreational spaces, addressing long-standing gaps in accessibility, everyday needs, and quality open space. These interventions form a continuous, adaptable urban network that honors the area’s cultural history while fostering new opportunities for movement, gathering, and equitable redevelopment. By stitching together fractured parcels and underused land, Thread of Renewal reframes the rail corridor as a vibrant thread of connectivity—one capable of supporting future growth and restoring a meaningful sense of place for surrounding neighborhoods.