Maryville, TN – Suburban towns near major cities often face the challenge of maintaining a distinct identity while integrating with the surrounding metropolis. This is the case for two Knoxville suburbs, Maryville and Farragut, which are working to carve out their own places within the larger region, despite their proximity to Tennessee’s third-largest city.
In an effort to establish a clear sense of identity and direct future growth, both towns engaged TSW Chattanooga to conduct a community visioning process and create Master Plans tailored to their specific needs. The goal is to foster local economic development while ensuring each town’s character remains intact.
Founded in 1795, Maryville is the older of the two towns, boasting a historic downtown that continues to attract visitors. However, the town faces the ongoing challenge of sustaining its appeal and diversifying its economic offerings. While the downtown area features well-preserved buildings and hosts numerous public events, the concentration of retail and dining options remains limited.
To address this, Maryville’s Master Plan focuses on preserving and rehabilitating its historic structures, while also introducing new development to attract residents and businesses. Key recommendations include providing a range of housing options to create a consistent customer base for downtown businesses, as well as improving public spaces through art, signage, and lighting. Enhancing walking and biking infrastructure is also a priority, ensuring greater accessibility to the heart of the town. These improvements aim to elevate Maryville’s unique culture, making it an even more attractive destination for both visitors and residents, while fostering long-term economic growth.
In contrast, Farragut, founded in 1980, does not boast a historic downtown. However, the town is rich in history, with its roots dating back to the late 1700s. Farragut’s town center, once known as Campbell’s Station, is now home to a restored stagecoach inn, which serves as a reminder of the area’s early significance.
Despite its historical importance, Farragut struggles with internal connectivity, particularly due to the presence of Kingston Pike, a major thoroughfare that divides the town. The road is vital for connecting Farragut to Knoxville but also disrupts the cohesiveness of the community, making it difficult for businesses to thrive.
Farragut’s Master Plan seeks to address this challenge by proposing the development of a new Town Center. A large, undeveloped tract of land adjacent to Town Hall presents a unique opportunity for mixed-use development. The plan envisions a vibrant, walkable area that will include a variety of housing options, retail spaces, restaurants, and public amenities such as parks, plazas, and event spaces. By creating this interconnected urban core, the town hopes to enhance its appeal, provide more opportunities for local businesses, and attract residents who may currently commute to Knoxville for work and recreation.
Key to Farragut’s growth strategy is improving mobility and safety along Kingston Pike, as well as other key roads, to ensure that residents and visitors can easily navigate the town. The plan also calls for the development of greenways and sidewalks to connect various areas, further enhancing Farragut’s walkability.
With the completion of their Master Plans, both Maryville and Farragut are equipped with clear roadmaps to guide future development. Maryville, with its historic foundation, aims to build on its legacy by revitalizing its downtown area, while Farragut looks to the future, using its undeveloped land to create a modern, unified Town Center.
While both towns remain intrinsically linked to Knoxville, they are increasingly focused on their individual identities. As these suburban communities continue to grow, their Master Plans offer a vision for how they can thrive as distinct, appealing destinations for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. The challenge now is for town leaders and residents to implement these plans, ensuring that their communities evolve without losing the unique qualities that make them special.
