University of Tennessee Knoxville - Volunteer Yearbook (Knoxville, TN)

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Dollars and • Knoxville was in the process of chang- ing radically during 1982. Most of the changes were welcome, but portions of the changes were not. The 1982 World’s Fair spurred numerous development projects in the central sector. Many developers took a gamble on Knoxville being a boom town after the fair. The result of this risk was approximately S200 million in projected and committed financing for new of- fice towers and condominiums. The most im- pressive of these projects was the $60 million Centre Square development as part of the East West Mall project. Many of the distinguished, historical buildings downtown were convened into con- dominiums, including the New Spranklc and Union Buildings. Daniel Tiller, with the Knox- ville Community Development Corporation, said that KCDC had five current projects in the downtown area, including the World’s Fair site, new hotels and 27 townhouses on Summit Hill Drive. Included in the grand schemes of new skyscrapers was the hope of a modern home for the basketball Vols. Since the late '70s. the idea of a new 28-million-seat arena in Knox- ville has been passed back and forth between local officials and the Tennessee Legislature. One of the main arguments for the proposed arena was to bring more convention business to the city. Present facilities have been inade- quate for large national conventions. The state appropriated $7 million for an arena. However, the money was to have been used for a new state office building if no finan- cing package could be arranged by the city and county governments by Jan. 31, 1982. As the deadline neared, local officials scrambled to reach a compromise, each group blaming the lack of financing on the other. Many innovative ideas were thrown about for raising the money to build the arena. UT promised $5 million from increased ticket sales and the $12 million left was to be the burden of the city and the county governments. Both groups refused to fund the arena because of the problem of increasing taxes. The popular government plan was to levy a hotel motel restaurant tax in the city and county, but fierce opposition developed quick- ly among the business community. State Sen. Victor Ashe suggested that a 10 percent tax be placed on all tickets purchased for the World’s Fair on or after May 1. 1982. but the fair developer. Knoxville International Energy Exposition, said that an increase in ticket costs would be unacceptable due to the advanced publication of the prices. Knoxville’s spurt of development meant bet- ter economic times for the community through an increase in jobs. This economic upswing had members of the community worried about a crime increase. The World’s Fair was ex- pected to bring in 13 million visitors and crime was expected to increase with the influx of people. New York’s subway protectors, the Guar- Abose: the sunspherc looms behind hc Hilton where a walkway is being built so that fair visitors staying at tc Hilton could enter the fair area straight from the hotel. The walkway also connects to the Sheraton and will be a permanent structure after the fair. Right: The new Hilton hotel on Church Street opened on September first in preparation for the inllux of visitors to the World's l air. By Starch, all 325 rooms were reserved for the duration of the fair. 16 Community

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Fever Forever •V. There was an epidemic sweeping the campus this year—Big Orange fever struck again. Despite the influx of new freshmen every year and the exodus of graduating seniors, the fever seemed to naturally spread from year to year and this year was no exception. Students, past and present, came out in droves to show support for their favorite team. Orange and white shakers dotted the crowds in Ncyland and in Stokely. Orange balloons, overalls, hats, shoes and, in some cases, even orange faces could be seen on many en- thusiastic fans. Many students were never touched by the Big Orange fever that hit Knoxville in the fall and the energy it generated. Yet for the many it did affect, the result was often standing in long lines for tickets and sitting through freez- ing temperatures to watch the Vols play. Their reward came, though, when the Vols were suc- cessi ul in defeating the top-ranked Wisconsin Badgers in the Garden State Bowl. The fever brought frustration to many fans who watched the Vols lose two starters at the beginning of the basketball season. However, the fans’ loyalty and support was rewarded with a top twenty team. An energetic swim team. came up with another victorious season to match the success of the tennis and track teams. Big Orange fever even spilled over onto the intramural fields as fans cheered on their favorite teams. So far there has been no known cure for Big Orange fever. The epidemic seems to roll on from year to year. New fans appear each year as energetic as the last, and many fans never leave. Whoever said. Big Orange fans never die—they just become bigger fans” seemed to know what he was saying. Half-iimcduiing (he homecoming name brought honors to the fraternities, sororities anti other (roups for their participation in the previous weeks ac- tivities including floats, painted win- dows and anything goes games. Above: Ncyland Stadium got a new coat ol paint during the summer months in anticipation ol the thousands of loyal fans who traveled from near and far to see the Vols open the ‘81 home season Right: Fans had different ways to show their Big Orange spirit during fall games. This fan was one of many to display Iter spirt with bright orange balloons bought from Kappa Kappa Gamma sorori- ty. Proceeds from the balloon sales went to the American Mean Association. Opening

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Change dian Angels, announced they would be in Knoxville during the summer of 1982 to help curb crime. The Guardian Angels have 2,000 members in 33 cities across the United States. Another group, called the Dragons of Justice, wanted to protect Knoxville for the same reasons, however, they did not want to work under the Angels, but with them. The Police Department felt it could handle the ex- pected rise in crime by itself. Crime of another nature brought a UT sociology professor into the news. Professor Dean Champion was charged with selling 230 stolen films to an FBI undercover agent. Champion declared that he had no knowledge that the films were stolen. He thought that his business associate. Thomas Minter, had inside connections with the major film companies to buy excess films from cancelled orders. Champion’s trial was declared a mistrial by Judge Taylor and it was scheduled for March. The political scene began to heat up during 1982 when Knoxville Mayor Randy Tyree an- nounced his candidacy for governor. Tyree took time from the campaign trail and tried being a deejav. On November 12. Tyree switched places with Kim, a Rock 104 deejay. for an hour. In his place, Kim was mayor of Knoxville. “Rockin’ Randy” became an ins- tant hit with many Knoxville listeners. Larrv Malones Left: Hie top ol ilie old County Courthouse Building is no longer being occupied since the ne» City County Building was built. I lie old courthouse is registered with the National Register of Historic Places. Behind the building is the contrasting modem glass structure of the l.nitcd American Bank. Below: l or one hour, on November 12, Mayor Hands Tyree became Rockin' Randv at radio station WIMZ. The regular disc jockey, know n as Kim, took, over the mayor’s office during the hour of role reversals. •t MZ fvi Community 17 Left: This cute bear-like animal seems lo be saying take me home. He was one of the many attractions at the Know illc Zoo. Below: Two scperatc tires broke out on the Strip one during the fall and the other during the winter quarter. The first fire destroyed Campus Shishkabob and the second destroyed American I rophs and a printing shop.