Updated: New ordinance to clear sidewalks of homeless clears first hurdle

Officials with the City of Knoxville say a major issue is literally standing in the way of attracting new businesses to the "Downtown North" district.

When driving down Broadway Street or Central Avenue, the scenery often includes businesses, as well as people, who perhaps have seen better days.

Leaders argue that crowds of the area's homeless population lying around the streets of Downtown North are not exactly the picture of economic development they're hoping to send potential businesses.

Right now, though, the sidewalk ordinance is so vague that police have a hard time forcing them to move.

That has led to a frustrating scenario for local rescue agencies.

"When we see people who are sitting on the sidewalk, we see people who really aren't accomplishing anything," said Volunteer Ministry Center CEO Ginny Weatherstone.

Several rescue agencies say the crowds are largely made up of people who are not inside agency buildings because they refuse to seek help.

"We don't want anybody out on a sidewalk. We want them in a place where they're working toward getting off the street," said Major Don Vick of the Salvation Army of Knoxville.

On Tuesday evening. Knoxville's City Council gave unanimous approval to the ordinance on first reading. It will have to be approved once more before it would be enacted.

The new ordinance would give police the power to force people sitting or lying on sidewalks to move elsewhere from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

"To where we make Broadway, Gay Street, 5th Avenue places where people feel comfortable walking, shopping, living their lives," said City of Knoxville Redevelopment Director Bob Whetsel.

City officials say the condition of the sidewalks, and the people on them, is directly linked to the businesses who line them as well.

"The goal is continue to create economic activity through open sidewalks and mixed-use pedestrian oriented businesses," Whetsel said.

"At the very least, they will be told they cannot congregate there. Optimally, they will be directed toward services that can help them," Weatherstone said.