Parkridge Community Organization

October Meeting 

In Attendance: 

Nick Poker 

Aaron Searcy 

Bonnie Casamassima

Robert Nobel 

Maria &Liam Foran

Lynda Blankenship

Erin Oakes  

Scott Rupe

Peggy Klien

Safety Report  – Office Johnson

• There have been shootings, but fewer break ins
• Clubs on Magnolia trickling in 
• Residence getting Cameras can be helpful – Surveillance more than Ring
• Questions – What would be involved in making a Neighborhood Watch
  • Suggested possibility creating anonymous group – record knowing who had cameras; Officer Morgan will be contacted 
  • Repeated issues at particular location or home – If shootings, notify police so they can find rounds; Officers in organized crime will be organized as well. 

Neighborhood Entrance Signs 

• Old design was lost
• Trisha Bateman – did branding for the neighborhood
  • Sign options with historic color pallet
• Currently #7 Highest average and lowest standard deviation
• Need to reapply with the City for the new design. 
• Locations Cherry and Winona
• Some Guys Signs – Morristown
  • Sign made from Urethane
  • 60’’ x 24’’ smallest option – $1,025 
  • 64’’ x 30’’ a 10% increase to cost
  • Text size in line with Dept of Transportation Guideline
• Run survey for approximately another month 
• Grant requires we match with time or Money
  • $15 per hour or volunteer work 
  • We will do the installation. 
  • Planning counts toward volunteer time
  • Paying the designer for work

Mural Idea

• Keep Knoxville Beautiful Grant inspired conversation
• 5th AVe under the Railroad.
• David Brace Deputy Mayor – 3 owned by City
  • Emailed with support
  • Process includes – plan, design,  maintenance 
  • Contact is Rick Emmit 

• Amenities added to Caswell Park 
• that will be accessible to neighborhood 
• Splash Pad – to much work and money 
• Pickleball –  half the size of a Tennis court
  • Caswell park entrance by O’Connnor Senior center
  • Senior Center and YMCe could utilize it as well
  • Initial Survey looks like it is clear under ground 
• Dog Park – 5th ave behind Ball parks
  • ADA compliant – VMC is building Access Road which would provide handicap accessible parking 
  • .5 Acres 
• Sheryl Eylee – Director of Parks
• Budgetwise – minimal impact approximately $50,000
• Also DIscussed Rubble Lot near – Knitting mill is discouraged because of uncertainty of future; also actively used by city for storage an

Litter Pick Up Signs

• Stacey Shipanek requested
• Approved for $100
• Cost $160 – Private individuals cover difference

Church at 2100 Washington

• Knox Heritage initially won proposal with 4 apartments
  • Bad Engineering Reports mean Knox Heritage is backing out
  • They had planned to spend $800,000- $1,000,000
• Currently zoned Residential, but if neighborhood supports they might change zoning
• Knox Homemakers Program
  • Possibility of Demolition and Rebuild

Standard Knitting Mill 

• Leasing Officer reported that they are waiting to start construction based on abatement report
• Wanted to start 6 month ago, but I’m still waiting on the report. 

Traffic calming petition submitted for Glenwood 

• Need Signatures for %50 of Street
• Triggers Traffic Study to determine need for speed bumps

Historic Zoning Guidelines

• Draft for Historic Guidelines updated and on Knox Planning. Org listed under Current Projects 
• Historic Zoning Board
• City Council Needs to Vote on it Twice

New Business

• Swag and Marketing
  • Nothing to Fancy – percentage was supposed to come back to the neighborhood. 
• September Minutes Approved
• Waffles and Coffee 10:30 -12:00ish at 1535 Woodbine