A Greyhound spokesperson confirmed that four years after the transportation company closed its 100 E. Magnolia Ave. location, a new permanent location is in the works.
The new terminal will be in an old Wendy's location on Knoxville Center Drive in East Knoxville, across from theformer East Towne Mall site.
"We're in the early stages of preparing the new terminal, including permitting and site improvements, and we're targeting an opening in early 2027," a Greyhound spokesperson said in a statement.
Greyhound plans on sharing additional details about the new bus station as it makes progress on the project and stated the new facility will improve travel experience and regional connectivity.
After closing the terminal at 100 E. Magnolia Ave.Greyhound
began operating a bus stop at 100-110 Kirkwood St., which is just a bench and an awning. A far cry from Greyhound's former East Magnolia Avenue location, which was once described as looking like "the lobby of a modern hotel."
Knoxville's former Greyhound bus stop still stands at the corner of Central Avenue and East Magnolia Avenue in Old City. The property was first listed for sale by Greyhound in 2020 and was purchased in 2022 by Southern Station LLC, Dewhirst Properties for $145 million.
After purchasing the bus terminal, Dewhirtst Properties told Knox News it hoped to find a tenant for the space in 2026.
Earlier this year, the building was used tohost musicians during Knoxville's Big Ears festival on March 26.
Prior to its Old City location, Greyhound operated its Knoxville terminal out of a location on Gay Street.
"Greyhound is committed to serving Knoxville and the broader East Tennessee region, and signing this new East Towne lease reflects our long-term investment in the market," a statement from Greyhound said.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Greyhound to open permanent Knoxville bus terminal by 2027
