Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) plans a revitalization of its Austin Homes site with the goal of replacing the existing affordable housing on the site, while creating a mix of housing choices for families and individuals of varied income levels.

The public is invited to a community open house to learn about the master planning process on Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 4:30-7 p.m., at Green Magnet Academy, 801 Lula Powell Drive.  (This event was originally scheduled for Jan. 29 but was changed due to anticipated inclement weather.)

Established in 1941, Austin Homes is an affordable housing property located just east of Knoxville’s burgeoning downtown. Resident, stakeholder and community input will guide the transformation of the nearly 23-acre site into a residential neighborhood with potential for affordable, workforce and market-rate housing units, as well as other appropriate non-residential uses.

“The location of the Austin Homes site provides a unique opportunity for its current and future residents,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “We look forward to a master planning process that engages residents and the broader community and encourages participation in the revitalization of Austin Homes and downtown Knoxville.”

At the open house, KCDC’s design team of Gensler, a global architecture firm based in San Francisco, and Knoxville-based Johnson Architecture will provide an overview of the master planning process and a summary of initial input gathered from Austin Homes residents and community stakeholders. Attendees will be able to share with members of the design team input on the redevelopment possibilities for the Austin Homes site and surrounding areas.

Following analyses of current conditions and the market – and also several rounds of community input – KCDC anticipates finalizing a master plan for the site in mid-2019. KCDC is pursuing Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and private financing to support the first phase of redevelopment.