Yeah, we heard about it when we were trying to keep the Faculty Club at the corner of Kingston Pike and Neyland. Apparently that location for the Faculty Club is too far from campus whereas right across the street is not so far for the sorority village.

UT has changed a lot over the years. They don't take care of their buildings, planning has all but disappeared, and students appear to be an irritant.

Those were some beautiful houses they tore down, too.

Mark, thanks for posting about the urban forest to be demolished at Neyland Drive and Kingston Pike.

I have only recently become aware of this situation.
I am participating in organizing the new Earth Scouts
group here in Tennessee for my 8 year old,who is very concerned about this piece of property. It seems appropriate to inquire if this is preventable.

Does anyone have the who, what, when information.

Peg Loflin

Doesn't seem like a very safe place to stumble home to. It's an island between 4 lane roads. I wonder what fabulous pictures Redflex will have to analyze around last call as the bleary eyed people on 4 wheels and the bipedal bleary eyed try to navigate the same intersections.

Perhaps the track should move to the forest and the runners could make their way down the Greenways trail then the sororities could be built near frat row to create a synergy for Greek events. Granted, they'd still have to stumble across a 4 lane road...

(in this sealed envelop, I have printed out the "Greek doesn't mean drink" defensive response from the readers who, due to hangovers, skipped their English 101 classes when satire was discussed...)

The new location will be on the fringe of campus. I think of that as potentially less safe than something within the central campus area close to well lit and busy areas convenient to dorms.

I feel that the university would support this type of organization any more than any other student group is something they should reconsider. Treat everyone the same. To dedicate a significant area of university real estate to such a restrictive group does not seem right. Maybe instead of a sorority area a large womens center that caters to broader female population on campus, including sororities. Maybe as a large expansion/wing of the student center.

"Maybe instead of a sorority area a large womens center that caters to broader female population on campus"

Because fat chicks need a place to hang out too!

'large womens center' -- 'broader female' -- 'sorority stereo type' -- That pitch was too beautiful to not swing at!

OMG! Everyone should redirect their anger at flippant remarks to pity for the clown's wife. Perhaps there is too much old lead paint in our house.

Please don't call that patch of mowed and chemically treated lawn with a few crabapple trees an urban forest. Even the topography is not natural.

It's happening, KNS front page :(.

As I said before, Apparently that location for the Faculty Club is too far from campus whereas right across the street is not so far for the sorority village.

21 acres, 14 building, 600 parking spaces, 482 residents, 50 year lease, $45 million.

“The girls are excited about it,” said Hornstra. “We’re excited about it. Can’t wait to see the first shovel turn.”

I am really unfamiliar with the UT area. What area are we talking about here when people say UT urban forest?

Not sure I would call it an "urban forest", but it is green space.