Knoxville's Gay Street 200 Block Underwent Significant Transformation in the 1970s
The 200 block of Gay Street in Knoxville, Tennessee, experienced dramatic changes in the mid-1970s due to the construction of Summit Hill Drive and the development of two TVA towers. This urban renewal project led to the demolition of numerous buildings along the new road route, including all structures on the 200 block and some on its western fringe, such as the old Lawson McGhee Library building on Market Street. The project was driven by the Downtown Knoxville Association and Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, aiming to create a sweeping divided-highway-style connector. This initiative faced opposition from groups like 'Citizens for the Humane Revitalization of Downtown Knoxville,' who highlighted the loss of character-filled buildings, including the terra-cotta-clad Lawson McGhee Library.
