Ground breaks on Exit 407 entertainment district

KK Kituwah LLC broke ground Tuesday, April 11, on a new enjoyment district within its 200-acre house off Interstate 40 in Sevier County.

Dubbed Smoky Gap, the 20-acre district will be dwelling to “major global attractions, eating places, retail suppliers and substantially extra,” according to a press launch. It will be crafted to resemble an early 1900s Key Street with Americana-themed storefronts and a significant clocktower. A long run attraction will anchor Smoky Gap with a entire world-course “experiential facility.”

The press launch did not name the facility, but it is likely The Cherokee Rose , an immersive walk-by way of show showcasing the story of Cherokee heroism during Earth War II. The attraction is to be managed and made by French concept park business Puy Du Fou. In May perhaps 2022, Tribal Council appropriated $75 million for the job, and in a January job interview Kituwah LLC CEO Mark Hubble reported the challenge was in the ultimate design period.

Hubble explained that Smoky Gap is “a platform for partnership,” where the tribe is setting up, “longterm, mutually worthwhile partnerships” with manufacturers and providers that will make the full house — known as The 407: Gateway to Experience — a destination.

“Our tenants will function alongside tribally owned companies that will contribute to an all round place attendees have to working experience at the commence of their Smoky Mountain trip,” he explained.

“This will be an working experience for the ages,” extra Chris McCoy, president of Kituwah Marketing and advertising. “We are fully commited to offering unparalleled enjoyment, breathtaking activities, high-quality dining and the greatest buying in the Smokies. Persons will be ready to halt for a number of hours or continue to be for a couple of times.”

According to the press launch, the anchor attraction for Smoky Gap will open up in 2025, but it will not be the 1st ribbon-cutting on the home. A Buc-ee’s convenience keep will open up this summertime and will be the world’s biggest for a small time until finally a somewhat larger sized facility, now below construction, opens in Luling, Texas.

Furthermore, 2025 will see the opening of a Marriott Courtyard on The 407 house. Which is also when the new Smoky Hole district will be all set to welcome clients. In phase 2 of the property’s progress, Kituwah options to open a vacation spot vacation resort that will goal to change The 407 into an “overnight world-course vacation spot,” in accordance to a push release.

The EBCI is funding the challenge by Kituwah LLC, which is its enterprise arm. The tribe purchased the house for $13.5 million in July 2019 and considering that then has allocated $60 million to create it in addition to the $75 million appropriated for the Puy du Fou venture. It broke floor on the assets in November 2020.

The project’s construction supervisor is Joseph Construction, and Knoxville-dependent OE Ordeals is a co-development companion with Kituwah LLC.