Creating “safe spaces” was a selling point in the city's decision to close down the 400 block of Gay Street to vehicles on select weekends in November and December.

But there are two things Gay Street business owners and urbanites are whispering about even if the city isn’t addressing them directly in this effort: That open streets seems like a natural segue to open container and that redirecting traffic would cut down on excessive car noise.

Downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz and visuals journalist Brianna Paciorka discuss their experience trying out the open streets concept, including some suggestions for how to make this concept work longterm.  

"The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by Knox News. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

Creating “safe spaces” was a selling point in the city's decision to close down the 400 block of Gay Street to vehicles on select weekends in November and December.
But there are two things Gay Street business owners and urbanites are whispering about even if the city isn’t addressing them directly in this effort: That open streets seems like a natural segue to open container and that redirecting traffic would cut down on excessive car noise.
Downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz and visuals journalist Brianna Paciorka discuss their experience trying out the open streets concept, including some suggestions for how to make this concept work longterm.  
"The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by Knox News. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by <a href="https://profile.knoxnews.com/newsletters/urban-knoxville" aria-label="Link clicking here,">clicking here,</a> and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2476530172607529/" aria-label="Link the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.">the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.</a>

Every Tuesday, host Ryan Wilusz and expert guests bring you the latest news happening in and around downtown Knoxville. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com, part of the USA Today Network.

Every Tuesday, host Ryan Wilusz and expert guests bring you the latest news happening in and around downtown Knoxville. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com, part of the USA Today Network.

Each Monday, Ryan Wilusz and expert guests bring you the latest news happening in and around downtown Knoxville. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by Knox News, part of the USA Today Network.

The Scruffy Stuff

Kick back with Ryan Wilusz and Calvin Mattheis each Monday for the latest news happening in and around downtown Knoxville, and stay tuned on Thursdays for "Last Call" conversations with special guests. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by Knox News, part of the USA Today Network.

Creating “safe spaces” was a selling point in the city's decision to close down the 400 block of Gay Street to vehicles on select weekends in November and December.  But there are two things Gay Street business owners and urbanites are whispering about even if the city isn’t addressing them directly in this effort: That open streets seems like a natural segue to open container and that redirecting traffic would cut down on excessive car noise.  Downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz and visuals journalist Brianna Paciorka discuss their experience trying out the open streets concept, including some suggestions for how to make this concept work longterm.    "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by Knox News. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.