In a surprise move with unclear ramifications for County Mayor Tim Burchett's efforts to get a new elementary school built in the Carter community, the developer selected for the project has quit. Bob Talbott, a partner in the Devon Group, sent a letter to Burchett's office today saying "the Devon Group is withdrawing from the project." This comes just a week after the Knox County school board voted--with some obvious reluctance--to approve Burchett's plan to pay for the new school with money generated by selling off some pieces of county property. Talbott is a prominent local developer, and ever since Devon Group was selected as prospective builder of the Carter school last spring, he and Devon partner Raja Jubran have been subject to some chatter about their political connections and past projects. In the letter today, Talbott assures Burchett, "The reasons have nothing to do with you, and nothing to do with the plans for the school." Instead, he says, "Unfortunately, a combination of political agendas and opposition to the Carter plan has significantly changed the dynamic. Instead of being focused on getting the school built people are making the debate about those involved." But he says Devon will be happy to share its working materials--any plans and estimates generated so far--with any developer the county selects.
In a press release responding to the letter, Burchett says he hopes the project can still move forward: "This is not the first roadblock the Carter community has faced, and I now need to sit down with School Board Chair Indya Kincannon and Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre to discuss our next steps for Carter." (Actually, the press release misspells Kincannon's name. But we know who he meant.)
Knox County Commission was scheduled to vote on the Carter project on Monday, but without a designated developer that now seems unlikely.
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