Greyhound Lines is preparing to move into a vacant building in North Knoxville, signaling a better bus riding experience with more amenities for riders after several years without a full terminal.
The site is on Knoxville Center Drive across the former site of East Towne Mall, about 7 miles away from downtown. The building was formerly a Wendy’s and later Don Chuy’s restaurant.
Additional details about the new terminal, including a possibility for new destinations, have not been released by Greyhound.
“We're in the early stages of preparing the new terminal, including permitting and site improvements," a Greyhound spokesperson said.
Currently, passengers are dropped off and picked in front of a First Horizon Bank on Kirkwood Street in East Knoxville. The closest available food, seating and bathrooms are at a Buddy’s Bar-B-Q next door. On a recent day, passengers like Jacob Steelman sat alongside a curb.
“I think it’s kind of crazy being dropped off here,” he said. “This isn't a very accessible location.”
Councilmember Matthew DeBardelaben, who facilitated the lease in his professional role as a senior associate broker at Avison Young, said he hopes the new terminal will provide services that are lacking in Greyhound’s current bus stop. He called the new location a “transportation hub,” noting the Amazon Fulfillment Center located across the street, as well as Interstate 640 and a Knoxville Area Transit bus stop nearby.
“We had to find a spot that met the zoning … and where the neighborhood and neighbors would be glad that the bus station is there,” he said.
One of those neighbors includes OneLife Church’s east campus.
Leaders of the church said they generally support a bus hub, but have concerns over the main road leading to the terminal.
“It needs a lot of repairs and maintenance,” said Rodney Arnold, a pastor at the church. “There's a lot of lighting needed in that development.”
The road is privately owned by Blackrock, which also owns the land under the Amazon Fulfillment Center. Under the terms of the lease, DeBardelaben said Greyhound will pay a yearly fee to maintain the road.
The new terminal is about a fifth of the size of the original — which closed in 2022. But a Greyhound spokesperson said it will “improve travel experience and support future service enhancements.”
“Signing this lease reflects our long-term investment in the market,” the company said.
The location of the new terminal has been owned by Oregon-based 88 Investment LLC since 2022, according to public records.
Greyhound officials said they are hoping to open the new terminal in early 2027.
