Apr. 29, 2026
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC), along with business and community leaders, officially broke ground April 29 on the fourth phase of the transformation of Western Heights to build affordable housing and amenities for residents.
Overall, the transformational plan for Western Heights and the surrounding Beaumont neighborhood will bring enhanced access to economic opportunity, transportation, healthcare, recreation and youth enrichment to Northwest Knoxville residents.
“It’s exciting to mark the beginning of another milestone as we work together to transform this neighborhood into a community where residents can thrive,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “The progress in the Transforming Western initiative is the result of multiple partners who focused on the same goal – offering residents access to safe and affordable housing, early education, employment, healthcare and transportation resources.”
Phase 4 will include a total of 47 one- to four-bedroom units in three residential structures and an amenities building featuring a fitness center, community room, meeting space, leasing office and maintenance office.
The funding for Transforming Western comes in part from a competitive $40 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods grant that was announced in 2022.
“The City has been a steadfast partner since Day 1,” Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said. “All told, over six years, we’re committing $26.5 million to this truly game-changing community-led collaboration. All of the partners are putting the residents first and listening intently as they tell us what they need to thrive. We promised a helping hand, and now, we’re delivering.”
Architecture for phase 4 is provided by Shapiro & Company Architects; J.A. Fielden is general contractor; The Richman Group is equity partner; construction lender is J.P. Morgan Community Development Banking; permanent debt is from Legacy Bank & Trust Company; and Brinshore Development is the developer.
The overall redevelopment of the neighborhood will occur over six phases with completion expected in 2029 of an anticipated 479 total housing units.
The first new phase of housing for the Transforming Western initiative opened Jan. 14, 2026, with The Overlook at Beaumont, which includes 76 rental units with one- to five-bedroom options, including 31 subsidized replacement units, 30 affordable units and 15 market rate units.
The groundbreaking for phase 2 took place June 5, 2025, and completion is expected in fall 2026. Phase 2 will include two mixed-income residential buildings with a total of 52 one- to four-bedroom unitsand 15,000 square feet of mixed-use space that will include the Knoxville Arts Center and a health center operated by The University of Tennessee Medical Center.
Construction for phase 4 will begin in summer 2026. Construction on phase 3 is expected to start in 2027.
The process to earn the highly competitive HUD Choice Neighborhoods grant began in 2021 with insight from Western Heights residents followed by meetings with 17 broadly themed stakeholder groups with a vested interest in the neighborhood. Only three other cities across the United States were awarded the HUD grants that year, which totaled $180 million, and included Omaha, Nebraska; Durham, North Carolina; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Established in 1939, Western Heights is KCDC’s largest affordable housing development. The Choice Neighborhoods grant program enables communities to replace distressed public housing and HUD-assisted developments with new mixed-income housing.
The grant program also addresses multiple enhancements, including better internet access; living wage jobs and career paths; affordable, healthy and fresh foods; safety; transportation; parks and recreation; arts and culture; and entrepreneurship.
KCDC’s lead partners in the Transforming Western planning process include the City of Knoxville, Brinshore Development and Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC).
Information about the full plan is available at transformingwestern.com.
About Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation
Since 1936, KCDC has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Knoxville and Knox County. KCDC’s mission is to improve and transform neighborhoods and communities by providing quality affordable housing, advancing development initiatives and fostering self-sufficiency. For more information, call 865-403-1100 or visit kcdc.org.
