+1 City making amends for Property Rights Abuses. BLM.

The City: Knoxville, TN

The proposal: $100M to address removing people from their property from the 1950s through 1970s under urban removal policies that displaced and marginalized residents, mostly Black

Funding mechanism: City revenue + local, state and national grants

How was eminent domain used during this time? The city utilized eminent domain to systematically tear down entire blocks of homes, churches and businesses in the Black community for projects like the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum and construction of new routes like James White Parkway and Interstate 40

Which governmental entities will be involved in this project? New Community Empowerment Department

Did Knoxville follow another city’s lead? Yes, Asheville, North Carolina proposed a similar program earlier this year

Knoxville News Sentinel | Knoxville Vice Mayor Gwen McKenzie proposes $100 million to make amends for urban removal