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The City of Kingsport has been selected to receive an award for Excellence in Economic and Community Development for the Main Street Rebuild project.
The award will be presented to city officials on Aug. 5 at the 85th Annual Conference of the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) held at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
Kingsport’s $20 million Main Street Rebuild project began in November 2022 with a comprehensive plan to replace aging water, sewer, and stormwater systems; to place overhead utilities underground; and to stabilize the failing roadway foundation.
In addition to these critical infrastructure upgrades, city officials felt this would be an ideal time to incorporate streetscape enhancements to make downtown more inviting and accessible for residents and visitors.
“A dramatic overhaul of Kingsport’s Main Street has seen the improvement of critical utilities and roadways, revitalized downtown business and economic development, and has drawn new pedestrian traffic through increased safety and accessibility,” according to a press release from the TML. “For this dedicated effort to simultaneously improve infrastructure and downtown economic development, TML is proud to present the City of Kingsport with (this award).”
Supported by 80% funding from state and federal sources, the project has improved utility services as well as aesthetics in the form of new landscaping, decorative brick crosswalks, and pedestrian-friendly features to make the environment more inviting and accessible.
By updating the roadway, utilities, and streetscaping in one comprehensive project, the city improved efficiency of the project, saved taxpayer funds, and enhanced the delivery and reliability of vital utility services to the Main Street community. The utility modernization also prevents expensive emergency repairs and minimizes the need for future maintenance.
Each year the Tennessee Municipal League honors cities throughout the state for overall excellence, improvement, specific outstanding programs, or department accomplishments. In addition to Kingsport, award winners for 2025 include Chattanooga, Cleveland, Farragut, Franklin, Gatlinburg, Greeneville, Jackson and Pulaski.
Founded in 1940 and based in Nashville, the Tennessee Municipal League serves as the voice of and advocate for Tennessee’s 345 towns and cities.
There will be a Public Meeting of the Kingsport Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO) Executive Board on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm in the Kingsport City Hall Montgomery-Watterson Boardroom at 415 Broad Street in Kingsport, Tennessee. The agenda and supporting documentation can be found here. The primary items for this meeting include consideration of the FY26 & FY27 Unified Planning Work Program and consideration of an amendment to the FY23-26 Transportation Improvement Program. Time is also allotted for the Executive Board to receive public comments on items pertaining to the Kingsport Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization. The meeting will be in-person and members of the public are welcome to attend. All public meetings are held in accessible locations. For a reasonable accommodation request, or if you require language assistance, please notify the MTPO three business days in advance of the meeting and we will be glad to work with you in obliging any reasonable request.
We also plan to offer live public access to the meeting through a Zoom webinar. Members of the public who are interested in attending remotely should register in advance using this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y14kMrGATOiaM9iTiU6EHw.
Kingsport Cultural Arts is pleased to announce the latest exhibiting artist at The Circle Gallery – Dave Turner.
Turner, a Kingsport native, has spent nearly four decades at the forefront of Nashville’s digital art scene, specializing in lenticular art. Lenticular art employs special lenses to create illusions of depth, motion and transformation – a perfect medium for Tuner’s latest exhibit – “Colors.”
This mesmerizing collection features hypnotic 3-D mandalas and animated kaleidoscopic visuals that morph and change with the view’s perspective.
The Circle Gallery is located on the first floor of Kingsport City Hall (415 Broad Street) and Turner’s exhibit will be on display until September 22. The Circle Gallery was brought to you by Kingsport Cultural Arts.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Turner is a pioneer and recognized authority in lenticular art, transforming still images into experiences that shift, shimmer and come alive as you move past them.
Turner’s fascination with visual storytelling began after graduating from Vanderbilt University, where he launched a multifaceted career as an artist, animator, designer and consultant. His early 3-D work was featured in the world’s first global Macintosh-based training system and his animation for Hard Rock Café received international acclaim.
Away from the digital canvas, Dave embraces a pastoral life. He lives on a farm filled with goats, chickens, and Great Pyrenees dogs and is also a passionate masters swimmer.
To purchase any of the lenticular art pieces in the Circle Gallery, please call Turner at 615-512-8881 or by email at dave@digitaldave.com.
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Kingsport Parks and Recreation is now accepting registrations for the 2025 Fall Adult Softball Leagues.
Teams can have a maximum of 20 players on their roster. Divisions offered include Church/Industrial/Seniors 50+, Co-Ed and Men’s Open.
The entry fee is $400 per team with a $15 non-resident fee for all players who live outside the Kingsport city limits (max: $75). Registration will take place through August 6.
To register, please visit https://bit.ly/4cQP6WH. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on “CivicRec,” then search for “softball” in the search bar.
You can also register in person at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex (301 Louis Street) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
All games will be played at Brickyard Park, and the season will begin the week of August 18.
Participants must live inside the Kingsport city limits, attend Kingsport City Schools and/or own Kingsport city property to be eligible to participate.
For more information, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org or call 423-229-9459.
The Kingsport Senior Center will be hosting a special Power of Attorney Clinic later this year to help local seniors protect their finances and plan for the future.
The clinic is scheduled to take place September 18 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kingsport Senior Center (1200 E. Center Street). Legal Aid of East Tennessee – an organization that provides legal services free of charge to qualifying individuals – will be hosting the clinic.
Pre-registration is required by September 4 and can be done so by calling Legal Aid of East Tennessee at 423-928-8311. The clinic is free and open to any Kingsport Senior Center member.
Attendees will complete the necessary legal forms with the guidance of an attorney on site.
“The power of attorney process can be confusing and daunting for people of all ages, especially for our seniors,” said Senior Center Director Shirley Buchanan. “So, we’re pleased to partner with Legal Aid of East Tennessee to provide this clinic to our seniors to help navigate this process as quick and easy as possible.”
For more information about Legal Aid of East Tennessee, please visit www.laet.org. For more information about the Kingsport Senior Center and its services, please visit seniors.kingsporttn.gov.
Several streets in downtown Kingsport will be closed temporarily on Friday (July 18) to accommodate the 2025 Fun Fest parade.
The parade begins on Clinchfield Street (adjacent to the Kingsport Center for Higher Education), and continues to Center Street, then to Sullivan Street and finally back to Clinchfield Street.
NOTE – Clinchfield from Market Street to Clay Street will be closed by 10 a.m. on Friday to allow for parade lineup.
All side streets leading into Center between Clinchfield and Sullivan will be closed starting at 4 p.m. on Friday. Center and Clinchfield will be closed 30 minutes prior to the parade beginning (approximately 6 p.m.).
Detour signs will be in place and all closures will be lifted at the conclusion of the parade.