On Tuesday, Mayor Bill Haslam, Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale, Knoxville's Community Development Corporation (KCDC) CEO Alvin Nance, KCDC Board Members, and other representatives opened the $1.8 million "green" renovation project at Valley Oaks Apartments with an official ribbon cutting ceremony.

The project is part of KCDC's continued commitment to revitalizing communities, one neighborhood at a time. "The Valley Oaks community is our first project associated with the Enterprise Green Communities initiative," said Alvin Nance, KCDC executive director and CEO. "Working within the specifications Enterprise has outlined for the Green Communities program ensures the project is energy efficient and cost effective for our residents."

The Enterprise Green Communities program is the only national framework for sustainable affordable housing. The criteria are designed to enable developers to build and rehabilitate homes that are healthier, more energy efficient and better for the environment without compromising affordability.

"This is a great project for this community and the City of Knoxville," said Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam at the event. "As mayor, I salute KCDC's commitment to energy efficiency for affordable housing in Knoxville." 

Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale, on his final day in office, applauded the cooperative efforts between the city and the county in creating affordable housing. KCDC is now the official housing authority for Knox County as well as the City of Knoxville.

Exterior renovations at Valley Oaks have improved the appearance of the property as well as increased energy efficiency. Interior changes are designed to improve access and lighting and include energy-efficient HVAC, Energy Star appliances and eco-friendly plumbing improvements to each of the 48 two-bedroom units.

KCDC is working with Partners Development and Holm Court Construction on the project as well as architectural firm Cope Associates. Financial support for the project included capital improvement funds from their Housing and Urban Development monies along with a $400,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta and their local partner SunTrust Bank.

"We are especially happy to receive funds in the form of a grant that doesn't have to be repaid," Nance said. "It shows others also believe in what we are doing and are willing to put some money behind it."

KCDC is targeting several other communities for revitalization projects. They recently broke ground on project to convert the former Eastport School into senior housing in the Five Points community, a project which is scheduled to be fully Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified upon completion. Additionally, KCDC is applying for a HOPE VI grant for improvements to the Walter P. Taylor property similar to the revitalization efforts in the Mechanicsville community.

"The whole philosophy behind public housing is changing for the better," Nance said. "By building more energy-efficient housing options and reducing neighborhood density, we are creating stronger communities and working toward our goal of giving people a hand up to self-sufficiency. That's what we really love to do." KCDC is the housing authority and redevelopment agency for Knoxville. Since 1936, KCDC has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Knoxville. For more information, visit http://www.kcdc.org.