KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knoxville leaders are asking the community how they felt about a recent program closing a part of Gay Street to car traffic over a few weekends, opening it up exclusively to pedestrians. The Downtown Knoxville Alliance released an online survey asking people about their thoughts on the program.
A section of Gay Street from Wall Avenue to Union Avenue was closed from 7 p.m. through 4 a.m. during four weekends in November and December. Without car traffic, it became more walkable and pedestrians had easier access to some of Knoxville's popular restaurants and bars.
"This block has become increasingly popular and the pilot project intends to create a safe space for everyone, reduce traffic noise, and add to the enjoyment of downtown," the survey said.
Around a month after the closures ended, leaders created the short survey asking people if they felt the closures benefited the city. The survey asks people about whether they visited the 400 block of Gay Street, and whether they were there as an employee, visitor, property owner or in any other capacity.
It includes five questions about people's thoughts on the closure, as well as a section where participants can fully write out their thoughts on the program. According to posts on social media from Downtown Knoxville Alliance, it takes around three minutes to fill out.