City Council backed a $3.4 million Trane contract for new lighting at 75 city buildings, repaid by savings in 12 years. It also funded 100 affordable apartments.
Knoxville will put new energy-efficient lighting in 75 city-owned buildings under a $3.4 million contract that the city says is guaranteed to pay for itself in 12 years.
City Council approved the deal with Trane U.S. Inc. on Tuesday. It was the largest piece of a $5 million budget amendment passed the same night. The city set out the decisions in a news release on Oct. 28.
Council also approved money for 100 affordable apartments on Lovell Road, a sidewalk repair contract and more litter and graffiti cleanup.
The energy contract
The deal is an energy savings performance contract. Trane installs the equipment, and the city pays for it out of the lower utility and running costs that follow. The city said the savings are guaranteed to cover the $3.4 million over 12 years.
The contract covers indoor and outdoor lighting at 75 city facilities. It also folds in solar arrays that were already funded at five city sites:
- the new Burlington fire station
- the downtown fire station
- the Fleet Services Heavy Shop
- the Public Safety Complex
- KAT’s Knoxville Station transit center
The city said the work will cut its carbon footprint by “1,373 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually.”
“Financially, this is a no-brainer, because it’s risk-free,” Mayor Indya Kincannon said. “This up-front investment will pay for itself in the short term. Long term, it will pay dividends, saving taxpayers money through lower utility bills and operational efficiency.”
What else was in the budget amendment
The rest of the $5 million amendment went to:
- more money for an accessible boat launch on the Holston River
- repairs to water damage at the Knoxville Convention Center
- accessibility and safety work on the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall promenade and the Holston River boat launch
The release did not give a dollar figure for each of those items.
Other decisions Tuesday
Affordable apartments. The city will put $750,000 from its Affordable Rental Development Fund into 100 apartments at 360 Lovell Road. The project is called the Union at Smoky Mountain. The city said the apartments will serve low- and extremely low-income households, and that the money makes the project financially viable.
The city said it has issued permits for 10,000 new homes since Kincannon took office, and that 4,000 of them are affordable.
Sidewalks. Design & Construction Services Inc. will replace 21,000 square feet of broken sidewalk at 27 sites around the city for $549,000. The city said the company had the lowest bid and the most responsive proposal of the five that applied.
Litter and graffiti. A $150,000 contract continues the city’s partnership with the nonprofit Keep Knoxville Beautiful. The group supports city crews with litter pickup, prevention and graffiti cleanup, and runs awareness and education work.
What it means for you
- Paid from savings. The city said the energy contract is covered by lower utility bills and running costs at its own buildings. For how the city sets its rate, see our Knoxville property tax guide.
- Broken sidewalk near you? The release did not list the 27 repair sites. Report a damaged sidewalk to the city by calling 311. Our who to call at City Hall page has the other numbers.
- Want to help with litter? Keep Knoxville Beautiful runs a November Saturday Spruce Up on Nov. 14.
- Looking for an affordable apartment? The release did not give an opening date or rents for the Lovell Road project. We will report them when the developer or the city publishes them.
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