Warehouses blessed, bid farewell

Steve DuPree drinking a toast with his neighbors last week upon the demolition of McClung Warehouses.

Steve DuPree drinking a toast with his neighbors last week upon the demolition of McClung Warehouses.

Thanks to Gene Rump for writing this guest post for The Blue Streak. Photos are by Leigh White. -Cynthia Moxley

When the titular mayor of Gay Street calls a blessing … folks show up. And about 30 did last Thursday afternoon to bless the demolishing of the McClung Warehouses.

This was all P. Smith’s idea … she’s lived on Gay Street for as long as anyone here can remember. The downtowners gathered on the viaduct bridge and shared memories. Some talked about the first fires in 2007 that terrified neighbors in the Fire Street Lofts and the hot ash that rained down on rooftops on Gay Street and Jackson Avenue.

One remembered visiting the warehouses with her grandfather when the shops were still in business.

There was talk about dogs and the snow and the giant snowball fight on Gay Street the night before.

There was also some speculation about the fire. Arson? What did anyone have to gain? Most thought it was the happenstance of a homeless person trying to stay warm.

Joan Marshall, manager of Cru on the 100 Block of Gay Street.

Joan Marshall, manager of Cru Bistro Downtown, 141 S. Gay Street.

Who gathered on the bridge? A couple of lawyers, a teacher, a university professor, some advertising and PR types, a dentist, a few retirees, a restaurant manager – exactly the folks developers and city leaders hoped would nest here. Those gathered in the first bright sunlight we’d seen all month talked about what could be. And wondered how long it would take.

There were no city officials on the bridge … probably as well because the downtowners had beverages for toasting hidden in paper bags. One speculated it likely wasn’t the first time wine had been sipped from a paper bag on that bridge!

The toast was led by Steve DuPree. DuPree is well known on Gay Street for his blessings of pansies and other events. DuPree says he’s often asked to show up at these things because he’s loud enough to be heard over the chaos.

His memories of the McClung Warehouses go back to his childhood and riding his bike up Jackson Avenue, past the warehouses, on his way to church.

DuPree’s not a guy who’s mired in the past. He says it’s OK to tear down those buildings so long as they are replaced with something better. And his toast, “Here’s to something better!” Here. Here.

Everyone raised a hopeful glass to something better.

BTW: There’s a great cover story by Jack Neely in the Metro Pulse on the demise of the warehouses. Worth reading! Click here.

The gang gathered Thursday on the Gay Street Viaduct

The gang gathered Thursday on the Gay Street Viaduct

Kelly Absher, center, and other 100 Block residents and friends

Kelly Absher, center, and other 100 Block residents and friends

P Smith, the "mayor of Gay Street," and organizer of the toast

P Smith, the “mayor of Gay Street,” and organizer of the toast

 

Jim Peterson opens a bottle in preparation for the toast.

Jim Peterson opens a bottle in preparation for the toast.

Britney and Sydney, Fire Street dogs looking for treats

Britney and Sydney, Fire Street dogs looking for treats

 

A 1960s photo of the McClung Warehouses. R.I.P.

A 1960s photo of the McClung Warehouses. R.I.P.

 

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Historic preservation, Knoxville. Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to Warehouses blessed, bid farewell

  1. cmmoxley, on February 17th, 2014 at 9:06 pm said:

    Thanks, Gene and Leigh, for helping me out with this. I would have been there except for a schedule conflict. I loved Jack’s story in Metro Pulse. It’s a shame the buildings couldn’t have been saved. Here’s to something better.

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