The Public Building Authority of the County of Knox and the City of Knoxville (PBA) performs three distinct functions for both the City and County: management of construction projects; management of facilities and grounds; and, management of telephone systems.
PBA acts as a consolidated department of the City and County within its operating responsibilities. This saves the City and County tax payers money, in that the City and County no longer need to have the expertise in the three functional areas PBA manages but share the costs of that expertise via PBA.
PBA is governed by an eleven-member board of directors, with six of the directors appointed by Knox County and five appointed by the City of Knoxville. Each director serves a term of six years. The board hires the Administrator/Chief Executive Officer of PBA, and the Administrator/CEO is responsible for hiring all other employees. PBA currently has 200 employees, the majority of which are maintenance and security personnel. The current Administrator/CEO of the PBA is Jayne Burritt.
PBA was initially incorporated in 1971, subject to enabling legislation contained in Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) 12-10-109 and is a public, non-profit corporation. PBA is authorized by TCA to work for any municipal corporation within the State of Tennessee.
PBA’s budgets are a result of negotiations with the City and County regarding the scope and levels of service desired for each facility/activity being constructed or managed. Any funds budgeted but not required are refunded to each client at the end of the fiscal year.
Property Development
Since 2000, PBA has managed and completed approximately $500 million in construction projects for Knoxville and Knox County, all having been completed on time and within budget. PBA almost always uses the Construction Manager at Risk (CM-R) construction delivery method for its projects. Architects and construction managers used by PBA are all selected by an open, competitive RFP and evaluation committee process. All project subcontracts are awarded by competitive bids issued by the CM-R and overseen by PBA project managers.
PBA’s single largest project was the City of Knoxville’s Convention Center and World’s Fair Park project, completed in 2003. Examples of other projects include the East Tennessee Historical Center expansion and renovation, Regal Riviera Cinema, Hardin Valley Academy High School, Powell Middle School renovation, Knoxville Station Transit Center, Public Works Complex, numerous fire stations as well as a number of senior centers and branch libraries constructed for Knox County.
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
PBA manages over 2 million square feet of buildings for the City and County. PBA originally developed and owns the City County Building, which is approximately 531,000 square feet in size. With a staff of 165 employees, PBA oversees maintenance, grounds, security, life safety and custodial activities for most locations under their management. PBA also manages the public parking garages and lots with internal staff overseeing parking operations as well as booth attendants. PBA began on-street parking enforcement as a pilot program on Gay Street for the City of Knoxville in 2015 and have expanded enforcement within the Central Business District and Cumberland Avenue corridor as well. PBA manages over 6,000 phone systems for the City and County. The PBA Project Development Department acts as an owner’s representative for Knox County and the City of Knoxville. We manage construction projects as assigned by the City or County Mayors. All PBA contractors/vendors needed for other services are competitively selected by RFPs, RFQ’s or bids.
City Facilities
• Locust Street, Main Avenue, Market Square, State Street and Promenade Parking Garages • Jackson Avenue Parking Lot • Worlds’ Fair Park (including Sunsphere & parking lots), Second Creek Greenway and Volunteer Landing • Regal Riviera Cinema (maintenance responsibilities only; co-owned by City and City Industrial Development Board) • Knoxville Public Safety Complex • Knoxville Station Transit Center
County Facilities
Old Knox County Courthouse Dwight Kessel Garage Health Department Juvenile Justice Center Knox Central Senior Centers John Tarleton Homes Family Investment Center Fairview Technology Center
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
PBA currently manages 18 separate telephone systems with approximately 4,100 extensions for the City and County. Additionally, they manage the carriers (AT&T, Windstream, TDS, Frontier, WOW and Comcast) that support those systems.
PBA IN KNOXVILLE & KNOX COUNTY
In 1971, Knox County and the City of Knoxville acted jointly to create the Public Building Authority of the County of Knox and the City of Knoxville, Tennessee (the "PBA"). The Certificate of Incorporation of the PBA was filed with the Secretary of State of Tennessee on July 20, 1971. Over the years, the Public Building Authority has carried out joint and individual projects for Knox County and the City of Knoxville and affiliated entities such as the Knox County Board of Education and the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority. PBA currently develops, constructs, owns, and/or maintains certain facilities on behalf of the City Knoxville and Knox County pursuant to operating contracts with those entities.
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF RESPONSIBILITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE PBA:
Construction, management, operation and lease of various public facilities owned by the PBA.
Construction, management and operation of facilities owned by Knox County and the City of Knoxville.
Specification, acquisition, maintenance, operation and supervision of the telephone and telecommunication infrastructure owned by Knox County and/or the City of Knoxville.
Provision of telecommunications consultation and advice for/to Knox County and/or the City of Knoxville.
PBA'S INVOLVEMENT IN A PROJECT CAN BE STRUCTURED IN ONE OF FOUR WAYS:
PBA can own and oversee construction of a project.
The municipality can own the project, and PBA can construct the project pursuant to an operating agreement. Construction and professional contracts are then in PBA's name.
The municipality can own the project, and PBA can oversee construction as agent for the municipality. The construction and professional contracts are then in the municipality's name.
PBA may act as a consultant, advisor and/or subject matter expert in completing studies, project plans and similar activities.
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