Knoxville Marathon 2013

Posted on April 12, 2013 Written by 2 Comments
Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

It’s hard to know at the end of this week whether I should continue recounting last weekend or move the focus to the upcoming weekend. I’ll go with last weekend, but I must mention that this weekend is likely the biggest of the Dogwood Arts Festival, with the Arts and Crafts Festival on Market Square and throughout Krutch Park. The artisan works are phenomenal and the food tent, in which chefs prepare dishes with wine pairings, is one of my favorite single events of the year.

Mayor Rogero, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Mayor Rogero, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

American Flag on Clinch Avenue, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

American Flag on Clinch Avenue, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Still, I must give a nod to last weekend’s Knoxville Marathon which drew several thousand people. The race has grown to include a 5K, Half-Marathon, Marathon and Marathon Relay. Urban Son-in-Law backed off to the half-marathon this year and many Urban Friends ran various other races. I think one reason for the massive crowds last weekend was the marathon, as a number of people came in from out of town or simply stayed downtown to enjoy the other events going on.

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists2, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists3, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

I love the fact that a fitness-based event has become so big in the city. It also works beautifully to have so many great activities downtown to greet any out-of-town visitors. There is no way someone visited the city last weekend, encountered the beautiful weather, pianos on the square, Chalk Walk, First Friday, Rhythm and Blooms and came away with anything other than a very positive impression of what is happening here. They also spent time and money in the Health and Fitness Expo on Saturday.

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Runner, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Runner, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

The starting line and staging area always attract me. Nerves jangle about at every turn, runners giddy with excitement warm up maybe a bit too much. Proud families wish their loved ones well. The mayor spoke at this year’s opening and the national anthem makes any sporting fan’s blood reach a quick boil of anticipation. Some are there to win, others to have fun and others simply to finish. Music pounds from a PA system as it will throughout the race as live bands play for the runners.

Entertainment on Market Square, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Entertainment on Market Square, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

John D. Cable and the Empty Bottle Band, Clinch and Locust, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

John D. Cable and the Empty Bottle Band, Clinch and Locust, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

I photographed eventual winner Wojciech Kopec (2:22:15) as he left the start line (red jersey above, number 2), but missed him at the twenty-five mile mark. I did catch Edward Tabut passing the UT Conference Center, heading into the final stretch. He was about three minutes behind first place. He also nearly left the course by not turning onto Locust, but a policeman yelled, pointed and Edward corrected his course.

Second Place Runner (No. 4), Mile Tweny-five, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Second Place Runner (No. 4), Edward Tabut, Mile Tweny-five, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Third Place Runner, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Third Place Runner, Bryan Morseman, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Fourth Place Runner, Mile Twenty-Three, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Fourth Place Runner, Stewart Ellington, Mile Twenty-Three, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Fifth Place Runner, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Fifth Place Runner, Abraham Kogo, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

About four minutes behind him was Bryan Moresman in third and I really felt for the next two guys as I photographed them leaving Market Square. They ran within steps of each other around the twenty-four mile mark and clearly, they would battle to the finish line. In the end, while Stewart Ellington (No. 6) lead by a few yards at that point, Abraham Kogo (No. 3) would pass him in the end to win fourth place. Two seconds separated them at the finish line. You can find complete results here.

Half-Marathon Medal, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Half-Marathon Medal, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Others would pass through downtown on into the afternoon. In fact, Urban Son-in-Law spotted a couple going through around 4:00, well after the official times have stopped. It reminds me of Cake’s awesome song, “The Distance.” All that matters at that point is finishing. And whether anyone else knows or acknowledges the fact, you know. It has to feel good. I never made it to the complete marathon and I admire those who do.

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Various Building Projects Updates (and a musical note or two for the weekend)

Posted on September 16, 2011 Written by 1 Comment

I’m posting a few pictures I’ve taken recently of the various construction projects in the area of Market Square. Serious progress seems to be happening at 36 Market Square and at the Arnstein Building, in particular. Let’s work south to north:

Sidewalk on Union – Getting Closer to pedestrian friendly

The sidewalk beside the Miller’s Building is looking pretty good. More progress has been made since this picture, but work inside the building continues and the various construction paraphernalia is still sitting about.

Arnstein Building about three weeks ago

Arnstein Building with new windows

Also on Union Avenue, the Arnstein Building got its windows recently and while they don’t protrude quite as far into the sidewalk as they used to, they are similar in style. I was excited to hear at the recent CBID meeting that there will be additional street-level commercial space available beyond that which Ruby Tuesday’s plans to use for their Mexican grill.

Massive scaffolding on Gay Street

Around the corner on Gay Street, the conversion of the S and W into a beauty school continues, though the interior looks like a restaurant disguised mildly as something else. The lighting everyone seemed to have loathed is still in place. Just down the street across from Downtown Grill and Brewery is the most massive array of scaffolding I’ve ever seen in Knoxville. I can’t tell that the building has changed, but it sure is covered in metal piping.

Work on the back of 36 Market Square

Side of 36 Market Square with new brick, but no Blue Circle Burger sign

Interior of 36 Market Square taking shape

Finally, 36 Market Square has come a long way recently. A lot of work has been done on the back (alley) side and the Wall Avenue side has bricks and glass. I miss the Circle Burger sign, but I’m sure a certain someone has it stashed away. There is one side entry, only, so that’s different than before. It’s hard to picture what the final product will be, but I’m hoping there is a store front on the Market Square side and the Wall Avenue side. It would be the only business (besides the TVA Credit Union) on a street that used to be bustling. What I really need, of course, is a guided tour so I could report the details accurately and completely. (Thousandth hint) You can get occasional updates and pictures of the project here.

It’s interesting that, with Market Square being the current hub of downtown, three corners are currently vacant. I’ve heard nothing to indicate that the corners will have businesses any time soon. It will be a red-letter day for me when Market Square is fully occupied and Union Avenue is construction-free. I know Union Avenue has had construction of some sort for two years. It would be a Jack Neely question as to the last time Market Square was fully occupied.

There are a couple of musical events I’d like to give particular mention to. One is called “Rock and Roll Velodrome,” and it happens at Barley’s starting at 3:00 on Saturday and running until 1:00 Sunday morning. Bands will play both outside and inside and particularly I’d be looking to catch Greg Horne, The Tim Lee 3 and Senryu. The cover is $10 and the money goes to cover medical expenses for Steve Hancock a local musician and cyclist who was struck by a car in May. The other musical event that seems pretty significant to me is the Royal Bangs playing two shows at the Pilot Light. Unfortunately, the two events are not only on the same block, they are head-to-head. I’ve got to find out why the buzz is so great for the Royal Bangs, but I really want to go to the other show. Maybe I’ll see you at both.

Filed Under: 36 Market Square, Arnstein Building, Construction, Downtown Knoxville Blogs, Gay Street, Knoxville Tennessee, Union Avenue Sidewalk

You Might not "Need a Weatherman to Know Which Way the Wind Blows "

Posted on September 29, 2010 Written by 2 Comments

. . . But you may need a scorecard to know which stores have opened in downtown Knoxville and which ones have closed. There have been many closings, openings, rumors and false starts and now comes another unfortunate surprise.

This year has seen the arrival of the Black Market, Fizz, Latitude 35, Swagger and Steamboat Sandwiches on Market Square and Rala just around the corner. John Black Studios are opening this week on Union, Morelock Music opened on Gay Street and this week sees the opening of Nouveau Classics on the 100 block of Gay Street and Carleo’s on Central in the Old City. Two additional businesses seem set to open in the Daylight Building and a book store/cheese shop is taking shape on Gay Street.

During the same period, we’ve also seen the exit of stalwarts such as Manhattan’s in the Old City, Havana Moon (which may be returning after construction) on the 100 block of Gay Street and Ten Thousand Villages, Vagabondia and World Grotto on Market Square.

We’ve seen a false start with Urban Outfitters in the Arnstein Building and now we hear rumors of two different cosmetology schools coming to the Arnstein Building and the Kress Building. The Kerns Building has been purchased, but it’s coming incarnation hasn’t been announced. The Century Building was sold – then it wasn’t. The owners of the Fidelity Building have made noises about doing something different on the bottom floor of their building where “General Store” is now located. And then there was the fantastic vision (hallucination?) of Marble Alley. I’ll keep hoping on that front.

Signs were painted and posted today announcing the departure of Abode

Now comes the latest news: Abode, which has been on the square for four years, is having a farewell sale. Allison Sprouse, who along with her husband Matt owns and operates Abode, says the decision was made with great difficulty. They each have other ventures and their family has grown since they opened the doors to Abode and the time finally came to move in a different direction.

She was very kind to talk openly about the decisions and the tears. She says they have loved their time downtown, their children have grown up here and they have enjoyed watching Market Square become the exciting place it is today. Unless an interested buyer steps forward to assume the business, it will close slowly over the next weeks or months. They would prefer to sell the business as opposed to closing it.

Angela Sprouse, Abode and The Modern Hostess, Knoxville

Allison wanted to be clear that the location has been wonderful and the business has been successful, but choices had to be made. Her new business is an event design company called The Modern Hostess and she already has some major events to her credit, including Bruce Pearl’s engagement party and wedding. She’s excited about the new venture even as she is sad at the end of the old one.

Still, she knows it is time to move on and I hope everyone will wish her the best. She promises a big party this Friday, so stop by and thank her for putting herself out there for the last four years and give her your best for her future.

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Filed Under: Abode, Arnstein Building, Businesses, Gay Street, Knoxville Tennessee, Market Square, Old City, Ten Thousand Villages

Jewelry Here, Graffiti Gone

Posted on September 1, 2010 Written by 4 Comments

There is a lot happening on and around Market Square this week. I’m not talking about the kinds of events that so often surprise me. I’m talking about comings and goings and permanent changes. For a long time I’ve watched and commented on several possibilities that are now coming to fruition – or can something come to counter-fruition if it isn’t fruitful? Maybe not.

Arnstein Building, Union and Market Street, Knoxville

On the interesting side of the ledger, we have the fact that someone is leaving the lights on in the Arnstein Building every day and night for the last several days. Does that mean someone new is snooping around trying to decide whether or not to take the plunge after the Urban Outfitter’s deal apparently fell through. I’m hoping strongly. It is such a great building in such a great location. I want something good to happen, there.

37 Market Square, Knoxville

Also interesting are the latest developments at 37 Market Square. The brickwork on the side is complete, with modest architectural elements to add interest, such as the dentil work at the top and the triple row of arched bricks above the second story windows. What I’m curious about at this point is what will happen with the brick facade the developer was compelled to keep. It doesn’t match the new brick and it has a century of accumulated dirt and paint. Will they treat the brick somehow to make it match? Will they leave it unmatched so that it announces itself as the historic portion of the building? Will they keep the barely visible and historic inscriptions on the front or perhaps even re-paint them as the developers did on the JFG building? Stay tuned.

Sign Announces Opening Day at Fizz, September 1, Market Square, Knoxville
Katheryn Rouse poses with her hand-crafted jewelry at Fizz on Market Square
Andie Ray outside Fizz – formerly her business, Vagabondia, Market Square, Knoxville

On the good news side of the ledger, today was the opening day for Fizz. It was exciting to meet Katheryn Rouse and welcome her to the neighborhood. She is from Knoxville and worked downtown many years ago – including at the Mercury Lounge. She took a sojourn to New York City, but is back and excited about the newly revitalized Market Square. Visit her. Buy her hand-crafted jewelry and support a new downtown business!

Former Graffiti Wall, minus the plywood and art, Wall Avenue, Knoxville
Now for the unfortunate news – at least to me and others who have enjoyed the Graffiti wall on (appropriately) Wall Avenue. I had written recently (as had Josh Flory at Property Scope) that the Graffiti wall would probably not survive the renovation to 36 Market Square. With the facade replaced on the front, who could imagine the side being left covered with the plywood that provided the surface for artists to copy “The Scream,” propagandists to rail against TVA and artists like Cynthia Markert and Brian Pittman to provide free art for the citizens?

Former business exposed on Wall Avenue, Knoxville
This weekend I noticed too many bricks piled on the site to simply be destined for the front of the building. I also noted the fact that the fencing we’ve all walked around for the last, what, Millennium? Had been shifted from the front to snaking its way down the side of the building – blocking most of the Graffiti Wall. I walked downtown today to take pictures which I assumed would be among the last of the wall, only to discover that it is gone. The plywood has been removed. Caution tape surrounds most of the wall not fenced and broken windows are exposed, along with an interior that is many miles from being usable space.
Interior of back-end of 37 Market Square Building
I’ll conclude with a picture submitted by Chandler, who is a recent addition to the Urban Blues Family. He took the picture below of his friend who was visiting from Baltimore and suggested that I might use it. His submission turned out to be very timely.
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Filed Under: 36 Market Square, 37 Market Square, Andie Ray, Arnstein Building, Businesses, Fizz, Graffiti Wall, Katheryn Rouse, Knoxville Tennessee, Mercury Lounge, Scream, Urban Outfitter, Vagabondia