Mayor Ashe Featured in January/February Issue of Preservation  

The following is a reprint of Ann Oldenburg's article featured in the January/February 2003 issue of Preservation, published by the National Trust for Historical Preservation.

Eternal Vigilance

Victor Ashe has confronted many big issues during his 15 years as mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee.  These days, he's particularly pleased with the outcome of a city charter amendment that he sponsored and the voters overwhelmingly adopted in November.  From now on, the Metropolitan Planning Commission will deliver an annual report to the mayor and city council on the status of historic structures around town.  Preservation is "often only in the news when something is threatened," Ashe says.  "This will make sure preservation stays on the front burner.  It's similar to the U.S. State Department's annual human rights report on people who may be at risk."  The mayor, who has a degree in history from Yale and a lifelong interest in preservation, intends to write the first report himself.  One place he'll assess is Historic Market Square, a downtown commercial and pedestrian center that's being revitalized.  "You often wonder how you can keep things going after you leave," says Ashe, who will be out of office at the end of this year.  Now, Knoxville has a plan.