Located on a prominent corner in Knoxville, the Fifth Avenue Motel was an eyesore along a major north-south access into downtown. Squatters lived in the buildings, and several small fires caused extensive damage to the property. The motel, which had been converted from townhouses in the 1960s, was condemned by the city in 2002. Exposed to the elements following years of neglect, the motel had deteriorated both inside and out. Despite its diminished condition, the property held significant historic value to the city. The two buildings formed an L-shape at the intersection of North Broadway and West Fifth Avenue, and reflected a unique residential development style of the early 20th century that had stretched out from downtown Knoxville along streetcar lines.1 Amid concerns from the historic preservation community that the buildings would be demolished, the city placed a historic overlay on the property to prevent the buildings from being razed.2
In the years that followed the property’s condemnation, several developers considered residential and commercial projects for the site, but none was able to produce a viable proposal. The location, just north of the city’s downtown, was partially to blame; the disconnected land use pattern, vacant lots, and empty storefronts that lined North Broadway as it emerges from the Interstate 40 overpass did not inspire a vibrant business environment. Moreover, the area was stigmatized due to the relative concentration of homeless individuals who congregated along North Broadway seeking services from the faith-based organizations located nearby.