The water tower at the former Knoxville VA campus was removed on Monday.

The removal was part of a contract with the Marion County Board of Supervisors and Kaufmann Metal Recycling. Within the current agreement between the city of Knoxville and Marion County, both parties agreed upon this decision and the Marion County Board of Supervisors, being the property owners, approved the contract in a recent public meeting. Knoxville Mayor Brian Hatch released a statement regarding the water tower which says the city’s original intention was to keep the water tower, along with the former laundry facility, as a piece of history to remember the former veteran’s hospital. 

“After many discussions with potential developers and contractors, it became clear that due to the condition and location of the water tower in relation to future development, it was in the best interest of the city and county to remove the water tower while we had an opportunity to do so. Just like the entire former campus area, it is always difficult to see pieces of our past removed, but it is important and exciting to focus on the new life and vibrancy that new development in that area will bring. I hope this first phase of housing, paired with the new splash pad park, serves as a perfect example of that new life.”

Knoxville City Manager Heather Ussery said a non functioning water tower didn’t make sense to keep around in the new development. 

“It’s just been more and more apparent that the remainder of the water tower doesn’t fit with the overall future of our development. What might happen back there someday is still unknown at this time. Overall a non functioning water tower just doesn’t make sense within that. There could be some large safety hazards at some point as well.”  

The Veterans District housing development is now located at the site of the former VA campus.