Things are happening on the east side of Knoxville … at least, at the measured pace of city government. The question folks are asking is: what about the restoration/ re- energizing of the old downtown Burlington center? Here is more than likely a “Part I” of coverage for this important topic.

There was a time when you could drop in and get a tasty country breakfast at Ruby’s Coffee shop, pick up household repair hardware from knowledgeable clerks at Calloway Farmer Hardware, get seed and gardening stuff from Henderlight Seed, a haircut at Barnes Barbershop, a biscuit or burger at Hardee’s, and even shop at the Kroger store.

Burlington has fallen on harder times in recent decades. The good news is that help is on the way. Healthy growth and rehabilitation are moving eastward. That hopefully promises commercial re-investment in the heart of downtown Burlington.

Some examples include:

The $70 million-plus baseball stadium, downtown just off Magnolia Avenue, is nearing completion. The forecast is for the first pitch to be thrown next spring. The multi-use facility is designed to host other businesses and public events.

The 13-acre Chilhowee Park Midway area (south side of Magnolia) has been proposed by Emerald Youth Foundation for the development of a sports complex and community center project, similar to the some-$20-million Haslam-Sansom ministry complex developed in Lonsdale.

KCDC and the city are working on a 3-mile extension of the Magnolia Corridor Redevelopment project eastward to Chilhowee Park. That streetscapes improvement, like the earlier segment from downtown/ Myrtle St. to Bertram Avenue, is intended to foster private redevelopment along the roadway.

The city and/or state road builders are contemplating some form of flyover to ease the transfer between Rutledge Pike and Magnolia, which will better connect Burlington to existing traffic. At one time, area architects had projected a traffic circle to do this, but those projects tend to be larger, and more costly land uses.

A Burlington Streetscape project has been proposed and approved by the city for the Burlington center.

The Burlington Fire Station No. 6, on the north side of the Burlington block, has been active since 1937, and is the subject of recent city-announced plans to build a replacement structure for completion in the next two or three years.

The city says a combined contract for the grading work for both the fire station project and the Burlington streetscape project is planned to be issued in the coming year, followed by a two-year buildout of the new fire station.

So, yes, help is on the way. There will be some economic boost to the general area, especially along Magnolia Avenue, which has Chilhowee Park, several banks, fast food and car repair establishments. It should incentivize investment in Burlington as well.

Interior growth for Burlington can seem glacial, at times. Meantime, several buildings in downtown Burlington have slowly declined, awaiting the boost coming their way. The City Codes Department would be wise to get after delinquent property owners.

So, things are happening. An Atlanta property owner has fixed up several older storefronts, awaiting new tenants. The First Horizon Bank, which anchors the western edge of the Burlington strip, is an active business, as is the Lunch House. Repairs are underway at the Warner Tabernacle AME Zion church, and there is a video-production company next door, as well as a new clothing shop, and a new eatery.

Let the renaissance begin! Keep watching for my updates here in a Part II.

Nick Della Volpe is a lawyer, a gardener and a former member of Knoxville City Council.