About this Location

Facility Overview

The Innovation South East Parking Lot serves the cutting-edge Innovation South research and manufacturing complex within the University of Tennessee Research Park at Cherokee Farm, situated along the scenic Tennessee River peninsula in South Knoxville (ZIP 37920). Positioned directly east of the state-of-the-art 85,000-square-foot multi-tenant research center—home to UT’s Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF) and the IACMI headquarters—this paved, open-air surface lot offers a clean, orderly layout designed for seamless arrival and departure. Because it is a ground-level surface lot without overhead barriers or tight parking ramps, it boasts open-sky clearance that comfortably accommodates all vehicle types. Drivers of full-size pickup trucks, oversized SUVs, high-roof service vans, and utility vehicles can park with total confidence without worrying about vertical clearance restrictions.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically positioned on the Cherokee Farm peninsula, the Innovation South East Parking Lot provides convenient access to both high-tech research centers and premier regional destinations:

UT Research Park Facilities: Steps away from the Innovation South Building, the Joint Institute for Advanced Materials (JIAM), and the Spark Innovation Center incubators.
University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC): Located immediately adjacent along Alcoa Highway, under 1 mile away (a quick 3-minute drive).
Cherokee Farm Cross Country Course & Greenways: Bordering miles of scenic riverside walking paths, running loops, and event green spaces directly accessible on foot.
University of Tennessee Flagship Campus: Neyland Stadium, Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, and the UT Agricultural Campus sit just across the Tennessee River, approximately 2 miles away (a 5- to 7-minute drive).
Downtown Knoxville & Market Square: Located roughly 3.5 miles northeast (an 8- to 10-minute drive), offering easy transit to the Tennessee Theatre, Bijou Theatre, Old City dining, and vibrant nightlife.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The parking lot enjoys fast, uncongested roadway connectivity via Cherokee Farm Way and Accelerator Way, directly intersecting the newly upgraded U.S. Highway 129 (Alcoa Highway) interchange. Drivers arriving from McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) to the south can reach the facility via Alcoa Highway in about 12 minutes, while those commuting from downtown Knoxville, Interstate 40, or Interstate 75 have direct expressway routing without navigating downtown surface traffic. The site offers wide ingress and egress lanes that ensure steady vehicular flow during peak shift changes, research seminars, and athletic cross-country invitationals. For regional commuters, transit connections link through Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) routes and university campus transit corridors serving the greater medical center and UTK agricultural campus.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Spacious, clearly marked open-air surface parking spaces with generous drive aisles.
Dedicated ADA-accessible parking stalls located closest to building entrances with unobstructed curb ramps.
Unrestricted vertical clearance, accommodating high-profile commercial vans, trucks, and equipment haulers.
Energy-efficient LED area lighting providing high visibility across the entire tarmac throughout evening hours.
Round-the-clock patrol and security oversight through campus and park security personnel.
Direct sidewalk connections and pedestrian walkways leading straight into the Innovation South complex and neighboring research wings.

Ideal For

Corporate & Academic Partners: Industry executives, researchers, and scientific collaborators visiting the FCMF, IACMI, or Spark Innovation Center.
Faculty, Staff & Student Researchers: Daily parking for Tickle College of Engineering faculty, graduate students, and laboratory technicians.
Event & Seminar Attendees: Professionals and visitors attending advanced manufacturing symposiums, technology open houses, and academic symposiums.
Recreation Enthusiasts: Visitors and families attending collegiate cross-country meets and community runs along the Cherokee Farm trails.

Visitor & Driver Tips

When navigating to the lot, enter the address 2730 Cherokee Farm Way into your GPS to be guided directly to the Innovation South access drive. Keep right along Cherokee Farm Way as it passes under Alcoa Highway, then proceed past Accelerator Way to access the parking stalls on the eastern side of the building. Official visitors and prospective park tenants should check in at their host department’s reception desk upon arrival to confirm any required digital visitor validation or event parking credentials during peak business hours (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday). If you are attending a major race meet at the Cherokee Farm Cross Country Course, arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes prior to race gun times, as surrounding roads may experience brief surges of runner and spectator traffic.