Developer Revises South Knoxville Apartment Plan After Community Feedback

CR Endeavors aims to incorporate local input on massing, retail, parking, and connectivity for proposed senior-focused complex on historic Kerbela Shriners Temple site.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:52am

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A photorealistic studio still-life featuring a scale model of a historic temple building, an architectural model, and premium office supplies arranged elegantly on a clean background, conceptually representing the abstract ideas of community engagement and urban planning.A conceptual still-life photograph captures the nuanced balance between developer commitments and community needs in the proposed redevelopment of the historic Kerbela Shriners Temple site.Knoxville Today

After two community meetings, developer CR Endeavors is working to revise its plan for a senior-focused apartment complex on the historic Kerbela Shriners Temple site in South Knoxville. The Birmingham-based firm met with city staff and the South Waterfront Advisory and Advocacy Group to discuss concerns over massing, retail space, parking, and connectivity. CR Endeavors has around one week to incorporate more of the community's feedback into the revised proposal before an upcoming deadline.

Why it matters

The proposed development on the Kerbela Shriners Temple site is a significant project for the South Knoxville community, which has voiced concerns about the initial plan. By working to address local input, the developer aims to create a project that better fits the neighborhood's needs and character.

The details

CR Endeavors' development team met with city staff and the South Waterfront Advisory and Advocacy Group to discuss community feedback on the apartment complex proposal. Key issues raised included the building's massing, the amount of retail space, parking challenges, and connectivity concerns. The developer said they have already considered some feedback and now have about a week to revise the plan to include more of the community's input before an upcoming deadline.

  • CR Endeavors met with city staff and the South Waterfront Advisory and Advocacy Group on Thursday afternoon to discuss the community's concerns.
  • The developer has around one week to revise the plan to incorporate more of the community's feedback.

The players

CR Endeavors

The Birmingham-based developer proposing to build a senior-focused apartment complex on the historic Kerbela Shriners Temple site in South Knoxville.

South Waterfront Advisory and Advocacy Group (SWAAG)

A local community group that met with the developer to provide feedback on the proposed apartment complex plan.

John Cadotte

A member of SWAAG and a South Knoxville neighbor who said the developer will need to address community concerns like massing, parking, and traffic for the project to be approved.

Karyn Adams

A Knoxville City Council member who represents South Knoxville and emphasized the community's commitment to ensuring the developer's contributions are something everyone can be proud of.

Alex Dominguez

A local developer who acknowledged the challenges of filling retail space in a unique property like the Kerbela Temple, but said CR Endeavors has proven they will be good neighbors to South Knoxville residents.

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What they’re saying

“I really hope that they take to heart some of the things that we stressed because if they don't, it might not get approved. The design as it stands clearly, I think we're all in agreement that that's not going to pass.”

— John Cadotte, SWAAG member and South Knoxville neighbor

“Everybody around this table is making those same commitments, perhaps not with a dollar sign next to them, but they choose to live here. So, this is their community, and they want to make sure that the contributions that you're making to this community are things that everybody can be proud of.”

— Karyn Adams, Knoxville City Council member

“How do you put a tenant in there that is going to succeed. What uses do you put in there? If it's a restaurant, there's not anywhere near enough parking, so if you can't get to it, you're not going to go there. What you end up with is maybe a nail salon, maybe a massage shop or something, but there's nothing that really brings a lot of energy and traffic.”

— Alex Dominguez, Local developer

What’s next

CR Endeavors has around one week to revise its plan for the Kerbela Shriners Temple site development to better incorporate community feedback before an upcoming deadline.

The takeaway

This project highlights the importance of developers working closely with local communities to create projects that address neighborhood needs and concerns. By taking the time to listen and respond to feedback, CR Endeavors has an opportunity to build something the South Knoxville community can embrace.