http://www.metropulse.com/news/columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urban/?partner=RSSMetroPulse Stories: Shot of Urban by Michael Haynesen-uscolumns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanhttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/may/09/changing-demographics-changing-downtown-knoxville/?partner=RSSI haven’t seen the figures lately. But I’m pretty confident that the number of people who are choosing to make downtown their home is continuing to grow. That’s interesting to me, especially since I know so many old friends and former neighbors who have now moved away. Wed, 09 May 2012 16:47:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-24602-734632columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNThe Changing Demographics of a Changing Downtown KnoxvilleMetroPulsechanging-demographics-changing-downtown-knoxvilleurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-24602-734632Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/apr/11/downtown-knoxvilles-pace-slowing-down-good-way/?partner=RSSThere is a well accepted, almost universal, perspective of urban living as more fast-paced than that of the suburbs and countryside. And in some respects that rings true, particularly in bigger cities. But there’s another side, especially in downtown Knoxville, that belies that notion. I see it every day. There’s an argument to be made that the denizens of the city may very well enjoy a slower lifestyle than our suburban counterparts. Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:57:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-24479-734604columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNDowntown Knoxville’s Pace Is Slowing Down—In A Good WayMetroPulsedowntown-knoxvilles-pace-slowing-down-good-wayurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-24479-734604Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/mar/14/revamping-cbids-goals/?partner=RSSIt’s hard to think of a project in recent years that hasn’t benefited from the CBID’s largesse. And that’s causing friction. In recent weeks, the CBID has suspended its grant program, and is currently reassessing the criteria it employs in providing grants to downtown developers. Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:15:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-24367-734576columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNRevamping the CBID's GoalsMetroPulserevamping-cbids-goalsurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-24367-734576Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/feb/15/some-suggestions-knoxville-visitor-center/?partner=RSSI’m not exactly sure what to make of the flap over the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation, except that change is inevitable. What I do know a bit about is the visitor center they operate at the corner of Gay Street and Summit Hill. They’ve been my neighbors for quite a while. You can gather a lot about your neighbors just from observation. And I can easily make some suggestions about the changes that need to happen just up Gay Street. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:58:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-24257-734548columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNSome Suggestions For the Knoxville Visitor CenterMetroPulsesome-suggestions-knoxville-visitor-centerurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-24257-734548Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2012/jan/18/why-walmart-not-threat-downtown-we-might-expect/?partner=RSSA couple of weeks ago, when word came that developers were eyeing the former Fulton Bellows site along Third Creek as a possible location for a new shopping complex to include a Walmart and Publix, hands started wringing. After all, Walmart has a reputation for luring customers away from local businesses, and some felt that if the plans go through it could take dollars away from our downtown. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:42:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-24156-734520columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNWhy Walmart Is Not the Threat to Downtown We Might ExpectMetroPulsewhy-walmart-not-threat-downtown-we-might-expecturn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-24156-734520Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/dec/21/downtowns-real-parking-problem/?partner=RSSIt’s that time of year again! I was heading home the other day for lunch when I first noticed the bits of bright color adorning dozens of cars. It’s not the annual tradition of Christmas in the City. But you can always tell it’s one of those special times of year downtown when the Knoxville Police Department has a fresh crop of cadets. Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:45:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-24052-734492columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNDowntown's Real Parking ProblemMetroPulsedowntowns-real-parking-problemurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-24052-734492Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/nov/23/hidden-life-downtown-alleyway/?partner=RSSThe alley (sometimes called Fire Street) that runs the length of Gay Street’s 100 Block plays host to a lot of things. In fact, in terms of mixed use, it may be one of the most diverse places in downtown. Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:31:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-23935-734464columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNThe Hidden Life of a Downtown AlleywayMetroPulsehidden-life-downtown-alleywayurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-23935-734464Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/oct/19/downtown-recession-proof-not-exactly/?partner=RSSOver the past few years, Knoxville's center city has seemed to defy trends where growth and prosperity are concerned. But much of that is due to deals that were struck and financing secured before the country’s financial meltdown began. People seem to forget the projects that didn’t make it in under that wire. One by one, I’ve watched multi-million dollar projects fall. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:29:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-23781-734429columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNIs Downtown Recession-Proof? Not Exactly.MetroPulsedowntown-recession-proof-not-exactlyurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-23781-734429Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/sep/28/so-you-want-live-downtown/?partner=RSSA friend of mine told me the other day he is considering moving downtown and wanted my thoughts. We talked a little about what he was looking for, and I offered a few cautions and suggestions about different locations. Then I started down my standard list of things I thought he ought to bear in mind. Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:36:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-23694-734408columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNSo You Want To Live Downtown?MetroPulseso-you-want-live-downtownurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-23694-734408Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/aug/31/meats-veggies-and-side-mega-mart/?partner=RSSOne of the things I’ve said about living downtown is that it’s nice to live in a place where, every day, things seem to get just a little bit better. Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:45:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-23543-734380columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNMeats, Veggies, and a Side of Mega MartMetroPulsemeats-veggies-and-side-mega-marturn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-23543-734380Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/aug/03/tale-two-sausages/?partner=RSSI generally only see them on the weekends, but I’m pretty sure they work seven days a week. Just the other morning, I could tell one of them had been there by the still life left on top of the dumpster consisting of an old pair of bike shorts, a locked combination lock, and three full bottles of acrylic paint—black, white and red. People may call them dumpster divers, but I’ve never seen one actually dive. Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:29:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-23413-734352columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNA Tale of Two SausagesMetroPulsetale-two-sausagesurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-23413-734352Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/jul/06/gay-street-parking-vs-driving/?partner=RSSIn addition to the traffic snarls and general mayhem that have resulted since the closure of the Henley Bridge for repairs, it has been good for a few laughs. Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:52:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-23286-734324columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNGay Street: Parking vs. DrivingMetroPulsegay-street-parking-vs-drivingurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-23286-734324Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/jun/08/how-did-downtown-knoxville-happen/?partner=RSSA decade ago, downtown was having its own destination imaginings. City leaders, who had been eyeing the success of the aquarium in Chattanooga and wringing their hands over the one-that-got-away, were falling all over themselves at the latest idea of “a virtual-reality space theater coupled with a Smithsonian-affiliated museum and a new children’s museum” to be called Universe Knoxville. Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:33:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-23151-734296columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNHow Did Downtown Knoxville Happen?MetroPulsehow-did-downtown-knoxville-happenurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-23151-734296Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/may/11/time-to-ticket-cars-downtown/?partner=RSSAs I’ve mentioned before, downtown’s gained a lot more traffic since the bridge closure. I think it’s more than simple coincidence that we’ve had two such accidents in the four months since TDOT began rerouting traffic around the construction. Wed, 11 May 2011 20:03:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-22982-734268columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNIt’s Time to Ticket Cars Downtown That are Moving, TooMetroPulsetime-to-ticket-cars-downtownurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-22982-734268Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/apr/13/boomtown-confidential/?partner=RSSDespite the city’s efforts to connect downtown with the surrounding neighborhoods, it still sometimes feels like its own small town within a city. That gives it a close-knit feeling that can be a double-edged sword. You may see your neighbors every day, but keeping a tight lid on your privacy isn’t quite so easy. Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:50:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-22856-734240columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNBoomtown Confidential MetroPulseboomtown-confidentialurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-22856-734240Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/mar/16/schism-downtown-viewpoints/?partner=RSSThere has been, for as long as I’ve lived downtown, a certain rift between those who see downtown one way, and those who see it another. Not so long ago, a lot of people had written off Market Square and Gay Street as some sort of obsolete and abandoned no man’s land. Others saw downtown as somewhere they wanted to be. Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:27:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-22724-734212columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNA Schism of Downtown ViewpointsMetroPulseschism-downtown-viewpointsurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-22724-734212Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/feb/16/downtown-traffic-henley-bridge-closure/?partner=RSSSitting in a car in traffic is probably one of the least enjoyable pastimes we offer. But it is one of the inevitabilities of diverting 30,000 vehicles a day around the Henley Bridge closure. Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:58:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-22572-734184columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNDowntown Traffic Since the Henley Bridge Closure MetroPulsedowntown-traffic-henley-bridge-closureurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-22572-734184Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/jan/19/virtues-annoying-people/?partner=RSSI won’t say that suburban neighborhoods are monolithic. It’s not like everyone who lives in a particular area can be expected to be exactly the same. But a lot of neighborhoods do tend to generally reflect the common economics or values of the people who inhabit them. Downtown, however, isn’t like that. Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:25:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-22419-734158columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNThe Virtues of Annoying PeopleMetroPulsevirtues-annoying-peopleurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-22419-734156Change734158Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2010/dec/22/feeling-lucky-despite-cold/?partner=RSSI was waiting for the tea kettle to boil and slipped out for a preview of the frosty pre-dawn weather. It was cold and still. When I heard the kettle begin to whistle, I turned back to the door and twisted at the handle. It was locked. I had no keys, no phone, and had locked myself out in 11-degree weather. Just my luck. Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:27:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-22294-734128columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNFeeling Lucky, Despite Getting Stuck in the ColdMetroPulsefeeling-lucky-despite-coldurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-22294-734128Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2010/nov/24/ground-floor-opportunity/?partner=RSSOne of the things I like to say about making my home downtown is that it’s great to live in a place where, every day, things seem to get just a little bit better. I’ve lived in a few places over the years, and you can’t say that about everywhere. It’s no secret that Knoxville’s center city has been on the upswing for the past few years, and I’m always happy to hear about some new business about to open. Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:48:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-22152-734100columns/knoxville-issues/shot-of-urbanMichael HaynesKnoxville, TNGround-Floor OpportunityMetroPulseground-floor-opportunityurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-22152-734100Change0Usable