KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – A plan to expand a new homeless resource center on Clinton Highway is now allowed to continue.
On Tuesday night, Knoxville City Council failed an appeal that aimed to overturn a decision by the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission allowing the CareCuts nonprofit to expand into a larger building to serve more homeless people in the area.
The proposal was first approved in January and met with opposition from nearby residents and business owners who raised concerns about the center.
CareCuts founder, Marti Baker, said at the time the location would fill a resource gap in the area.
“In downtown Knoxville, you’ve got so many resources. And so we partner with everybody that will. And so we’re going to bring not just CareCuts to Clinton Highway, we’re bringing other resources,” Baker said.
Officials said the facility will operate as a day center three days a week and not allow overnight stays. It will offer services such as meals, assistance with identification documents, clothing distribution, hygiene items, bus tickets for medical and job appointments, and computer access.
