A Master Plan for a proposed greenway trail linking Maryville to Townsend estimates the positive economic impact of the trail for Blount County at $65 million over a 10-year period. The construction cost of the 13.7-mile trail is estimated at $24.46 million, again over 10 years, putting the estimated return on investment for every dollar spent at $2.66.
Maryville and Alcoa have a paved greenway system that totals 21 miles, and Townsend has an existing greenway that runs for about 9 miles along U.S. Highway 321/Lamar Alexander Parkway. The Master Plan envisions a paved trail within the right-of-way for 321 connecting to the greenway network at either end. This connection between Maryville and Townsend is a key element of the vision of linking Knoxville to Townsend via paved greenway trails.
This Plan is the result of a public planning process that began with a series of workshops in both Maryville and Townsend in April, and included additional meetings in both cities in July. Public input was also garnered through two online surveys. Local planners, engineers and business representatives made up the Technical Advisory Committee that led the planning process.
The economic benefits that are expected to result from the trail arise from multiple sources:
?Spending by visitors from outside Blount County to come to use the trail. This spending benefits local businesses and their employees, and also increases local tax collections.
?Spending on construction and maintenance, which also benefits local businesses and suppliers, and their employees.
Funding for construction of the trail has yet to be identified. This will be the next step now that the Master Plan is complete.
The Plan breaks the 13.7-mile greenway into four corridors. The most challenging to construct will be in Walland Gap near Townsend, where 321 travels through a tight space between the Little River on one side and rock formations on the other. Sections of the trail will likely be cantilevered over the Little River, which will also make this portion of the trail a draw for visitors from around and outside of the region. Cost estimates for the four corridors are as follows:
?Corridor 1, City of Maryville: $665,000
?Corridor 2, suburban Blount County: $2,510,000
?Corridor 3, Walland Gap: $21,149,000
?Corridor 4, near Townsend: $136,000
The complete Master Plan as well as additional background information can be found on the websiteknoxblounttrail.org.
There are two upcoming public meetings that will feature presentations on the Plan. The public and media are invited to attend both meetings:
?Great Smoky Mountains Regional Greenway Council, 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 5 at the City of Alcoa Service Center, 725 Universal St., Large Conference Room
?Knoxville Regional TPO Technical Committee meeting, 9 a.m. Dec. 10, City County Building, 400 W. Main St. Knoxville, Small Assembly Room
The Plan was completed by consultants from Equinox Environmental and Kostelec Planning, and including economist Jon Lane Smith. The Plan was funded with federal planning funds through the Knoxville Regional TPO, with local match provided by the Great Smoky Mountains Regional Greenway Council.