Planned Parenthood won't move to Bearden community

Planned Parenthood won't move to Bearden community

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee (PPMET) won't take a new lease and relocate in Knoxville to the Bearden community, the organization announced Friday.

Planned Parenthood was going to move from 8078 Kingston Pike to a larger space at 4928 Homberg Drive.

The organization said the new center would have more exam rooms to provide better access for its clients.

Jeff Teague, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee, had said it had no plans to perform surgical abortions.

Planned Parenthood described the decision not to move as "a mutual business decision by PPMET and the landlord at Homberg Place."

The decision follows a meeting Monday when Most Rev. Richard Stika, bishop of Knoxville's Catholic diocese, joined members of the Pro-Life Coalition of East Tennessee, also known as ProCET, to try to stop the move.

The coalition had contacted the contractors, asking them to stop the project. Members also contacted Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and residents asking them to join in the fight.

Planned Parenthood has been in Knoxville for nearly 50 years.