regional expansion in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains
Growth and development in the Smoky Mountain region of east Tennessee continues on a grand scale. As these major new attractions open, tourism is expected to increase accordingly. These developments will fuel the lodging industry, as more and more visitors will be seeking overnight accommodations.
Here are a few of the major projects currently underway:
Belle Island Village:
Projected to be in full operation for the 2009 season, Belle Island Village is a multi-use, pedestrian-oriented development coming to the heart of Pigeon Forge, encompassing entertainment, attractions, shopping and restaurants.
• Estimated capital investment in excess of $114 million
• One of the largest themed destinations in the Southeast
• Expected to attract in excess of two million visitors a year
• Over $2 million will be spent to advertise Belle Island Village over the next year
• Over $500,000 is budgeted annually to attract top-level musicians and entertainers
• Anchor attractions include:
- The Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Motion Picture Museum
- The Darrell Waltrip Racing Experience
- Knoxville Zoo's Otter Cove
• Live entertainment stages, family rides, an arcade area and other attractions
• More than 90 specialty shops and demonstration crafts
• Three major restaurants and several other dining venues
Sevierville Events Center at Bridgemont:
The Sevierville Events Center is wholly owned and operated by the City of Sevierville, Tennessee Public Building Authority. The facility is designed to host large trade shows, expositions, competitive arts events and large retreats that will use lodging accommodations in the Sevierville area.
The events center is already in operation and is part of the larger Bridgemont development project.
• 108,000 square-foot Exhibit Hall
• 19,000 square-foot ballroom
• Two 18-hole golf courses (one of which is championship caliber)
• A large family entertainment zone filled with exciting, fun activities
• More than 1,600 parking spaces
• 1.89 acres of bus, van, and trailer parking
• Drive-in access to Exhibit Hall
• Beautifully landscaped, expansive outdoor exhibit areas
• Nationally known Centerplate, Inc., manages the catering facility and a large food court
Titanic Pigeon Forge:
A 30,000-square-foot structure resembling the romantic cruise ship will open in the spring of 2010, patterned after a successful sister attraction at Branson, MO.
The forward half of the ship will be re-created and will be half the size of the original Titanic.
• $25 million project of Cedar Bay Entertainment
• Being built on a 5.69-acre site on the main Parkway in Pigeon Forge
• Will display hundreds of priceless Titanic artifacts in 20 galleries on two decks
• Will contain exact replicas of the "Grand Staircase," a first-class suite, a third-class
cabin and the Marconi wireless room
• Interactive exhibits for all ages
Pigeon Falls Village / Main Street Marketplace
and
Riverwalk Park
This 114 acre site in Pigeon Forge is under development, with roads, parking and infrastructure currently being installed.
The Village will combine theme park and resort elements with entertainment and recreational facilities to create a "totally immersive Smoky Mountains experience." Pigeon Falls Village will be designed on a pedestrian scale in a contained thematic environment.
• Proposed $600 million project
• Interactive entertainment facility
• $10 million, 12-screen movie theater
• Water park
• 70-foot manmade waterfall
• Miniature golf course
