Knoxville's Market Square to undergo landscape renovations

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Knoxville city work crews have already started laying a new paved walkway in Market Square.

The plans are to cut down on maintenance costs and protect the roots of six sawtooth oaks on the south end of the Square. A city spokesperson says those trees are already showing signs of stress.

Well be creating a multi-use area that will be beneficial to people and to the trees, says City Urban Forester Kasey Krouse.

This will be a more user-friendly space. Its an extension of whats in Krutch Park landscaping with a walkway.

The south lawn has been a trouble spot for the city before; crews have overseeded and put down new sod 2-3 times a year, but heavy use continued to kill the grass and is compacting the root systems for the six trees.

These trees are the staple image of Market Square, Krouse said.

The project is expected to cost between $6,000 to $8,000.

Were wanting attractive green space that also prevents wasted and, up until now, unsuccessful maintenance, said Public Service Director David Brace. Brace says the regular re-sodding was both expensive and required keeping people off the new grass for several months out of the year.

The landscaping project is expected to be completed by the end of March.

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Knoxville's Market Square to undergo landscape renovations