Walnut Street demolition permits approved

The last bureaucratic hurdle between St. Johns Cathedral and its demolition plans for two buildings on Walnut Street has been removed.

The city of Knoxville has approved demolition permits for the buildings at 710 and 712 Walnut St.

City spokesman Jesse Mayshark said the permits were approved last week. The church is free to proceed with demolition, he said.

St. Johns wants to demolish the structures to gain better access to the churchs back entrance. The request has sparked opposition from local preservationists, who have argued that access to the parking lot isnt a good reason to remove the buildings, which date to the 1920s.

Its not clear when the demolitions will take place.

Arthur Seymour, an attorney for the church, said he assumes they will happen in the not-too-distant future, although he didnt have details.

Seymour referred scheduling questions to a contractor, who could not be reached for comment.

The citys Downtown Design Review Board had initially rejected the demolition application, but in June the Metropolitan Planning Commission overruled the design board and approved the move.

Demolition requests have been a hot topic in recent months.

Last week, the MPC approved a two-month postponement of a proposal to demolish the Pryor Brown parking garage, which occupies most of the block bordered by Gay Street, Cumberland Avenue, Market Street and Church Avenue.

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Walnut Street demolition permits approved