By: Ella Kelley
April 30, 2023 (4:30 p.m.) – Cumberland Avenue, also known as the Strip, is the road that leads right through the heart of Knoxville. It is full of restaurants, bars, and a few stores here and there – at least it used to be. Now, a more common sight on the Strip is a crane truck or a pile of dirt.
Many buildings on the Strip have been or are going to be demolished to build new apartment complexes. These apartments are seen as a potential solution to the housing crisis among UT students. However, some people are concerned about what the Strip might be losing to make way for new developments.
The Strip has been an important part of Knoxville’s culture for close to 100 years. Throughout its lifetime, the Strip has undergone many changes.
From the 1900s to the 1920s, the Strip grew as a neighborhood of mansions. Cumberland continued to grow residentially and attracted more businesses into the 1950s.
The nightclub Gordon’s Townhouse opened in the late 50s, marking a shift from a residential neighborhood to a busy area with lively nightlife. As other nightclubs opened, the Strip became the place where people went to hear live music, make friends, and have a good time.
The Strip remained a nightclub district until the 1990s, when many of the old buildings were torn down and replaced with parking lots and chain restaurants. At this point, the Strip looked completely different from how it did for decades.
After residents complained about this and the traffic it caused, the city made new plans to create a more walkable environment in the 2010s.
Now, parts of the Strip that have been around for a few years are being demolished, which sparked concern among UT students.
“I see the point, but it just does feel like the Strip is losing something,” said sophomore Melissa Willis.
Another student, Michael Kyriakoudes, shared that he was glad that this addressed the housing problem, but that he felt sad to see the Strip changing.
Ella Kelley 
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