give us the glass blocks!

David Dewhirst has a novel idea: install glass blocks in the sidewalks of the 100 Block of Gay Street.

Why?

Because there's an underground Gay Street below. Take a look at the Knox News article for more detailed information on his plans, but it's basically this: make an Underground District with clubs and bars, a la Seattle and Atlanta. Not exactly breaking new ground, but a good idea. It's already there, waiting to be developed. Gay Street used to be a whole story lower before the city raised it in 1919. The upper sidewalks had glass block installed to provide light to pedestrians who still used the lower sidewalk. "Billed23" commented on the Knox News article and said that as a boy he used to look through the sidewalk and see shoppers moving below. At first, he thought they were rats.
Dewhirst, who owns many of the 100 block buildings, is planning on developing the lower levels. He's asking the city, which has already allocated $2.5 million for streetscape upgrades, to spend an additional $66,000.00 on 12 glass blocks along the block, similar to what's already in front of the Emporium.

Of course, Suburban Knoxvillians have responded with harsh criticism of spending tax dollars on "frivolous ideas" in a "crime-ridden" part of town that "most citizens don't go to anyway." C'mon guys. Get off it. Your're getting your TIFs for Super Walmarts. Give us sixty grand. That's about the same as it would cost for the curb cuts for a KFC in the 'burbs. We wouldn't think twice about that, would we? I guess glass block sidewalks sound like a fancy new waste of money... But think about this: the glass block is historic to that part of downtown. There's still glass dating from 1919 in the sidewalk. Historic districts are more than just the buildings, the streetscape counts towards their character too.

Downtown is a growing, safe, tax-producing part of Knoxville. Guys like Dewhirst have helped make it that way. The city is already spending the money on the sidewalks. The glass blocks don't even make the budget go up over a $2.6 million total cost. It's a drop in the bucket: a drop that would facilitate another level of taxable businesses under Gay Street. In my opinion, the $66,000 is tax money well spent.

Note to City of Knoxville: Don't cheap out.

[note: thanks to brimer for warning me of the perils of pirating photos from the man (KNS). enjoy my amazing original mobile phone photography]