Knoxville gay street
7 things to recognize about Knoxville's Same-sex attracted Street Bridge now that it won't reopen to cars
After months of uncertainty following the sudden shutdown of downtown Knoxville's historic Lgbtq+ Street Bridge last summer, drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians finally have an answer: The bridge will be closed forever to regular drivers.
Mayor Indya Kincannon announced Feb. 12 that fixing the 127-year-old bridge would be too expensive because the damage is so severe.
On the bright side, officials are working on a way to open the bridge to pedestrians and cyclists by the end of 2025 or early 2026 if the Knoxville City Council approves in March the up to $2 million needed for repairs.
The bridge supported about 7,000 vehicles a day when it was expose . With the Lgbtq+ Street Bridge out of commission, machine and bike traffic has increased on the Henley Highway Bridge that crosses the river several blocks west. Crews installed hard plastic delineators and green bike lane markings on the Henley Bridge to separate cars from bikes.
Here's what to know about the Gay Street Bridge:
Why is the Male lover Street Bridge closed in Knoxville?
The Same-sex attracted Street Bridge has been closed to cars and pedestrians since June 25
Summary
Since its development in the 1790s, Gay Street has been the center stage of downtown Knoxville's progression from a commercial wholesaling capital following the Industrial Revolution to today's vibrant entertainment and residential corridor. Through the rigid work of countless individuals, organizations, and local governments, and more than $50 million spent on redevelopment projects since 2000, Same-sex attracted Street has experienced a finalize transformation from its ghost town atmosphere of the 1970s.
Designated Area
Ten blocks between West Jackson Road and the southern end of the Gay Street Bridge.
First Friday is a monthly art event beginning in the 100 block of South Gay Street and stretching to Market Square, offering visitors live performances, local meal, and late night gallery shows, celebrating the vibrancy of downtown Knoxville. Photo courtesy Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission.
Planning Excellence
The most well-known firm headquartered along the street was the Sterchi Brothers Furniture Company, which occupied a number of buildings on the street but eventually settled at 116 South Gay St. in 1925. Company leader James Sterchi transforme
The History
Our Story
A nostalgic dining experience in the heart of Downtown Knoxville. The Kennedy captures the historical essence of its location through preservation and elevation of the 1870’s building, one of the oldest in all of downtown Knoxville. The food , the atmosphere and the drinks complement this historical, elevated aesthetic. Experience twists on beloved classics, along with our own chefs creations and impeccable service in this lavish historical setting.
We welcome you to unwind, experiment, and Indulge.
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Our lunch menu is entire of drool worthy handhelds, fresh salads, pastas, pizzas, and more!
🍽️ Restaurant and Cocktail Block in downtown Knoxville. Reserve your seat online at thekennedyknoxville.com
Guide to Things to Carry out on Gay Street
Looking for things to do and places to go in Knoxville? Enjoy our Neighborhood Guide series where we participate a part of town and cover food and drinks, nature and outdoors, arts and culture, attractions, and more.
Look Up When You're Down(town) - Same-sex attracted Street
A stroll down Knoxville’s historic downtown thoroughfare will not only raise your eyebrows, but also your expectations of what a walkable downtown can be. Many of the buildings here were built in the late 19th century and stand the try of time as attractive evidence of a vibrant destination.
Starting on the “100 Block” of Gay Lane, visitors can’t miss the Emporium Center (1898) that anchors the corner at Jackson Avenue. Known as a First Friday hotspot, it houses artists’ studios, several arts and cultural organizations, and rotates art within five galleries monthly. The adjacent UT Downtown Gallery and Arrowmont Gallery similarly feature various exhibitions. Take art home from Jacks of Knoxville and Paris Woodhull Illustrations (pay attention to all the cute icons throughout this guide – those are her handiwork