The City of Knoxville has officially taken ownership of the land that was the site of the former Knoxville Middle School at 102 N Lincoln St.

This transaction took place as a result of community partnerships between the City of Knoxville and Knoxville Community School District. In the near future, this site will become the new location for the City of Knoxville Police, Fire, Rescue departments and City Hall. This new facility will provide a working environment for the community’s first responders that meets current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, improved functionality for the department’s day to day operations, and substantial improvements in safety and security needs. The location for the new facility was determined as a result of a Geographic Information System (GIS) location study that was completed in March 2023. The study considered public safety response times, property ownership railroads, contours, adjacent properties, etc. The full study results can be located at www.knoxvilleia.gov.

In 2021, as a result of the City’s Local Option Sales and Services Tax (LOSST) renewal which included ballot language providing funding for the new facility, this project will be completed with no increase to property taxes.

Currently, the City is under contract with Wendel Architecture, P.C. to design the new facility and are working towards a groundbreaking in Summer 2025.