This is the reply I received from a city rep. regarding the email I sent to the Mayor:
"The Mayor suggested I follow up on your email regarding the Victorian Houses as well as Fort Kid. There is no plan to demolish the Victorian Houses and Fort Kid. Not only are the Victorian Houses protected with a historic overlay, but the city feels strongly that their current uses are very good ones. Our desire is for those uses and buildings to be maintained, but by the private sector.
Fort Kid is not part of the Request for Proposals at all. We are unclear as to how that idea of demolition came up.
In April 2004, city administration met with the current tenants of World's Fair Park to hear concerns about the buildings' future. We then opened a six-week public comment period in which we solicited comments via email and regular mail. Hundreds of
Knoxvillians, and many out-of-towners, responded with their visions, ideas and concerns. Those ideas were posted on the city website at the end of June 2004.
A public meeting was held on June 24 at the Knoxville Museum of Art, where these comments and others were discussed.
The Request for Proposals was released on September 1 with a press release - both the press release and the RFP on the city website. (
http://www.cityofknoxville.org) Your understanding that announcements will be made at the end of the month is incorrect - proposals are due on November 30. At that time, an Evaluation Committee will review the proposals and they will be presented publically.
We also feel strongly that our citizens know and understand what is going within the city. That is why we have structured this process to be as open a process as it is. Please do not hesitate to contact me with further questions or concerns."
Jill Van Beke
City of Knoxville
Economic Development - Strategic Initiatives
865.215.2680 tel
865.215.3035 fax
jvanbeke@cityofknoxville.org
Wolves are not our brothers nor are they our subordinates. They are another nation, caught up just like us in the complex web of time and life.