KNOXVILLE — The Knoxville Chamber of Commerce is reporting its intention to move into the former home of Dixie Cornell Gebhardt, contingent upon its ability to sell the current Chamber building.
The Gebhardt house was recently purchased by the Knoxville Public Library Board. Prior to beginning its fundraising for the purchase, the Library Board had expressed interest in bringing the Chamber to the house and making it more of a visitors' center.
"The Chamber’s move will be contingent upon the selling of our building within the next six months," Executive Director Larissa Van Donselaar wrote. "Second, we are still in early discussions with the Library Board regarding various details of partnership. Third, the potential for growth and community partnership is limitless with this opportunity."
A prior Chamber Board made efforts to improve the apartments in the upper level of the Chamber building, as they had fallen into disrepair. The Chamber was sued in 2006 by a former tenant who claimed she had developed health issues from mold inside the building. This case was dismissed in 2008.
The list price for the current Chamber building is $72,000.
