by Joe Tarr
More house demolitions in Fort Sanders likely
Fort Sanders landlord Robert Shagan isn't finished yet. Shagan sent out eviction notices this week to residents in homes he owns along Clinch Avenue and another wave of demolition seems likely.
In case you've forgotten, Shagan is the one who razed three homes this summer along the 1500 block of Laurel Avenue. Since then he's used the dirt lots for parking during football games and erected a large orange sign announcing plans for high-rise apartments.
Why is he tearing down more? In the eviction letter sent out to residents (who were promised in September that their homes would be left standing until at least May), Shagan's Commercial Realty wrote: "We are forced to ask you to vacate your current residence due to pending legislation that the city of Knoxville and the Historical (sic) Fort Sanders Neighborhood Association are pushing so strongly. These houses are economically unfeasible to maintain on a long-term basis..."
The "legislation" being pushed is a proposal by the Fort Sanders Forum to make the core of the neighborhood a conservation district. Although somewhat complicated, conservation districts—which city officials say must be approved by a majority of property owners, and then approved by the City Council before being created—would mean any demolition or major addition to existing homes in the district would have to be approved by the Historic Zoning Commission. New construction or additions would be subject to certain guidelines (not as strict as in an historic overlay) to help retain the neighborhood's overall character. However, variances could be obtained and high-density developments still allowed.
Although some people think the proposal lacks any real teeth, Shagan seems worried it will ruin whatever plans he has in store for his property.
It's uncertain how many homes Shagan plans to raze (he did not return a call from Metro Pulse). However, he holds demolition permits on at least the following: 1409, 1416, 1417, 1505, 1523, 1525, and 1527 Clinch Ave., and 1308 White Ave. Shagan gave one of the houses a fresh coat of paint this fall. Another of them is one of the Fort's gems—a blue frame Victorian house at the corner of Clinch and 15th, which was built in 1895 by former state Sen. Richard T. DeArmand.
A developer sets its sights on Maplehurst
Those grieving over the rampant destruction of homes in Fort Sanders will want to pay closer attention to downtown's other residential neighborhood, Maplehurst, in the upcoming weeks as a development project takes shape there—although the initial rumors are more encouraging than disheartening from an historic preservationist perspective.
Gleneagles South Eastern development company (AKA Game Day) of Auburn, Ala., has been looking at buying a large chunk of the neighborhood, roughly contained by Henley Street, Neyland Drive, Cumberland Avenue, and the railroad tracks to the west. Gary B. Spillers of Gleneagles says the project involves a "good bit of property." He's not yet ready to reveal any details about the project, but promises, "It's going to be really neat and the kind of thing the city would like to see." The company is working with local architecture firm McCarty Holsaple McCarty.
The majority property owner in Maplehurst—Montgomery & Co.—is expected to close a deal on its 16 properties this month (some tenants have been switched over to month-to-month leases).
According to scuttlebutt, Gleneagles will demolish three buildings closest to Neyland Drive and build corporate condos—which local companies could use to house executives, consultants, and VIPs visiting Knoxville. One selling point for this is the quick walk to Neyland Stadium.
The rest of the Maplehurst property would be renovated and maintained as either apartments or corporate condos, says one source who has heard details of the project.
Another person familiar with the project doesn't believe Gleneagles has plans to demolish any of the older homes in Maplehurst proper. However, the property is zoned R-3—the same zoning that has made it easy for developers to demolish historic homes in Fort Sanders and replace them with high-rises, but tough for families and small businesses to renovate the homes to live in.
Maplehurst has long been prized by students and young professionals for its seclusion, beautiful views of the Tennessee River, proximity to downtown and UT, and relatively cheap rents. The neighborhood was built up in the late 19th century by wealthy Knoxvillians taking advantage of river views. Around World War I, the neighborhood began to shift to UT student housing.
Not everyone is willing to give up their property. Kristopher Kendrick, who owns the Swan apartment building, says a lawyer contacted him several times about buying his building.
"I did have an attorney call me about three times. I just told him it was absolutely
not for sale," Kendrick says. 
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