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Happenings in and around Old North Knoxville
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SmartFIX40 Underway By now you've probably seen or read something about the road construction going on around Old North Knoxville. If not, you may have heard the rumbling of construction equipment or of your neighbor as she tries to deal with lane closings and bridge demolition, such as the Fifth Ave. Bridge from south bound Broadway over I-40. In order to help you better understand what is going on, in this issue of OLD NORTH NEWS, you should find a flyer from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) called smartFIX40. The flyer has some information, a time line, places for additional information, and people you can contact. Phases 1 and 2 of this elaborate road construction project are already underway. As of press time, no final decision had been made concerning improvements to the Broadway and Hall of Fame Drive intersection. Some plans are in the works, and there will probably be opportunity for further public input. Old North News and the web site www.oldnorthknoxville.org will work to keep abreast of developments. TDOT’s web site for this project is www.smartFIX40.com. Home Buying Help for First Timers Looking for a home in Old North Knoxville? Need help with closing and down payment costs? If you qualify, the American Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI) may be able to help. ADDI is a federally funded down payment assistance program available through local Community Development Programs as well as the State of Tennessee. The City of Knoxville’s ADDI program offers up to $10,000 to each eligible first-time home buyer for the purchase of a home within Knoxville’s Empowerment Zone, and $5,000 a home purchase anywhere else in the city. Knox County’s ADDI offers up to $5,000 to eligible first time homebuyers for down payment and closing costs. The assistance is a forgivable loan and will require no repayment as long as the homebuyer remains the owner and the occupant. The loan is forgiven by 20% per year and is fully forgiven in 5 years. Homebuyers who have not owned a home in the last three years, displaced homemakers, and single parents are all eligible. The homebuyer’s total household income must fall below the following amounts: $29,550 for a household of 1, $33,800 for a household of 2, $38,000 for 3, $42.250 for 5, $49,000 for 6, $52,400 for 7, and $55,750 for a household of 8 or more. These amounts were recently increased. For more information and eligibility requirements, call Knoxville’s Community Development Division at 865-215-2120 or go to www.cityofknoxville.org/development/addi_overview.asp. For the county call Knox County Community Development at 865-215-2497. But you probably want to call soon. Funds are running low and are in danger of not being renewed. First Pancake Breakfast July 30th Old North's 1st Pancake Breakfast took place on Saturday, July 30th from 8 - 10 a.m. at Applebee's at the Knoxville Center. We hope to make this an ongoing tradition! New Life in Old North On Oklahoma Ave., Sean and Jennifer Bolen are expecting their second girl, who is due within two weeks of their first daughter’s Oct. 31st birthday. On Armstrong, Russ and Amy Porter are expecting twins. On East Scott, Amy Parkey is also expecting. It will be Amy and “Sandman” Jamie Parkey’s second child. Further down East Scott, Mark and Rhonda Parker are expecting their second child. “Must be something in the water,” one ONK resident said when she heard about all this. We think she now drinks only bottled water. Update on ONK Traffic Calming To the best of our understanding at Old North News, Traffic Calming Ballots will be mailed out to ONK homeowners and residents
in the last part of September. The exact time for mailing the ballots has not been finalized. A map showing where the traffic calming devices are to be placed and other information on traffic calming will be included with the ballot. There will also be a return envelope for the ballot. Nobody in Old North Knoxville will know how you voted, but with interstate construction nearby and road closures that will probably push more traffic through ONK at least on a temporary basis, it is an important decision and should be considered in light of the overall health and character of the neighborhood as well as the overall health and character of its residents, old and young alike.
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