KCSO closes Parkside Drive office
However, it currently is looking for a new location in West Knoxville for another precinct location.
“Effective Oct. 10, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office West Precinct located in Turkey Creek will be closing,”
KCSO communications director Kimberly Glenn said last week. “We have lost the lease for that facility and will be actively searching for an alternative location that is affordable and within our budget.”
However, she added, “we want to emphasize that the landlord was gracious and only charged a nominal fee for several years.
“There was a clause (in the lease) allowing the landlord to ask us to vacate,” Glenn said. “A business offered a fair market value, and the landlord provided an alternative temporary space; however, due to a lack of capital, we were unable to undertake the necessary renovations,” Glenn said. “Hugh Holt, who oversees capital improvements at KCSO, estimated that the new alternative space would require over $100,000 in build-out before it could be occupied.
“Sheriff (Tom) Spangler has personally reached out to developers and other property management companies in West Knoxville and is hopeful of finding a new location soon,” Glenn said. “Again, it is not easy to move a government office, especially a sheriff’s satellite office. From an IT perspective alone, that would have proven very costly and a tremendous amount of work for the few people we have dedicated to our IT staff.”
Yet, she added, “We want to emphasize that the landlord has been excellent.”
“The lease is still in place; it’s always been in place,” said Darryl Whitehead, general manager at Pinnacle at Turkey Creek and Crawford Square Real Estate Advisors. “There is a tenant that wants the space, and we’re trying to locate another location for (KCSO). I’m meeting with the sheriff later this month.
“I loved (KCSO being in Turkey Creek,” added Whitehead, who initally instituted the opening of the West Precinct opening with Capt. Brad Hall with KCSO.
In the meantime, for residents, this means “the Turkey Creek office no longer is offering walk-in services after Oct. 10,” she said.
But, “KCSO deputies will continue serving and responding throughout Knox County,” Glenn added.
Anyone needing help in an emergency should call 9-1-1.
For “non-emergency assistance, reports, records or fingerprinting, please visit our other precincts or headquarters,” she said.
For locations and hours, check our official website www.knoxsheriff.org or call our non-emergency line 865-215-2243.
Other precincts include the East Precinct at 4732 Centerline Drive and the North Precinct is 7326 Norris Freeway. The main KCSO office is at 400 Main St., downtown Knoxville.
“With all the advances in technology, it is easy for people to call in — 865-215-2243— or e mail publicrecords@knoxsheriff.org to obtain a report,” Glenn said. “We hope to find something that will continue to allow us to serve the West Knox community while remaining fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars.
“We will share updates as we make progress on securing a New West-area location,” she said. “Thank you for your patience and support as we work to be responsible with taxpayer dollars.”
