City Planning

The City of Alcoa was established by Chapter No. 510 of the 1919 Private Acts of the State of Tennessee, effective July 1, 1919.  Established by the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA)(now Alcoa, Inc.), the company's chief engineer E. S. Fickes and hydraulic engineer R. F. Ewald laid out the plan for the area, which came to be the first planned community in the state of Tennessee. The plan originally encompassed five and a half square miles with an anticipated population of 10,000. In the original plan the City was divided into four sections, namely Bassel, Hall, Springbrook, and Vose sections.

The first City Municipal Building was a one-story building located southwest of Hall Road and L&N St
Separate areas for industry, homes, schools, business and recreation were included in the plan. From 1917 through 1920, the building program for the town completed 700 Alcoa Inc. homes, constructed streets, and laid out utility lines like water, sewer and power. And from 1918 to 1924, thousands of shade trees were planted along city streets and parks.

Through the years, the City carried on a proud tradition of modern planning techniques for development and growth that continues today. The City of Alcoa now covers 14.8 square miles and has a population of 8,316.

Alcoa has a commission-manager form of government with an elected board of 5 commissioners that serve 4-year terms. A mayor and vice-mayor are chosen from among the commissioners. The city manager is appointed by the board of commissioners and is in charge of the everyday operations and management of the City.

The City has 9 departments that serve its citizens: Administration, Economic Development, Finance, Police, Fire, Public Works, Electric, Planning and Codes, and Human Resources.