First approval for new Knoxville ballpark

The Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission approved a preliminary site plan for a new Tennessee Smokies (Double-A South) home, in the first step toward a ballpark-driving development in the city’s Old Town.

The vote for the rezoning from various industrial classifications to development was unanimous, as was expected. Next up: consideration from the full Knoxville City Council a first meeting of a sports authority created to finance the facility, and consideration by the Knox County Commission.

The redevelopment of the 21.5-acre site is centered on a new ballpark for the Smokies, who currently play at the suburban Smokies Park. The proposed $142-million mixed-use development in Knoxville’s Old City area would be anchored by a new $65-million ballpark for the Smokies. That ballpark for the Smokies would be the economic fuel driving the privately financed mixed-use development featuring 630,000 square feet of residential, restaurants, retail and a grocery store in the ballpark vicinity. A sales tax implemented just for the ballpark events would be implemented to partially finance the ballpark construction.

The lease at Smokies Park ends at the end of the 2024 season.