Oct. 21, 2026
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC), along with business and community leaders, officially opened Oct. 21 the second new housing development of the Transforming Western initiative that will also include a health center and art center.
“This ribbon cutting marks another major step in Transforming Western, adding not only quality housing, but also spaces for resident services like healthcare and enrichment,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “The goal is to transform the Western Heights and Beaumont neighborhoods by connecting residents with the resources they need to thrive.”
The Gallery at Beaumont is KCDC’s first mixed-use development and features a total of 52 one- to four-bedroom units. The main floor of one building contains 15,000 square feet of mixed-use space that will accommodate a health center operated by The University of Tennessee Medical Center and the Knoxville Arts Center.
The addition of a health center within the residential development addressed a critical goal for the community by making healthcare more accessible. The center will offer primary care, prenatal services and other preventive care.
The Knoxville Arts Center also is moving into the neighborhood, relocating from its North Broadway location to serve adults and children with visual arts, crafts and dance classes from preschool ages to seniors.
“Western Heights residents said they wanted a safe, walkable, vibrant neighborhood with more opportunities to connect with jobs and activities,” Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said. “It’s exciting to see these mixed-use buildings – housing and community space — come to fruition. And I look forward to coming back for the grand opening of the brand new Knoxville Arts Center.”
The City of Knoxville is investing $26.5 million that has been committed over multiple budgets and includes major infrastructure upgrades and other improvements to the Western Heights and Beaumont neighborhoods.
The primary funding for Transforming Western comes from a competitive $40 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods grant that was announced in 2022.
Architecture for Phase 2 is provided by Shapiro & Company Architects; J.A. Fielden is general contractor; U.S. Bank is equity partner; lender is J.P. Morgan; and Brinshore Development and KCDC are developers.
The Overlook at Beaumont opened earlier this year on Jan. 14 and marked the first new housing development of the Transforming Western initiative with 76 rental units with one- to five-bedroom options, including 31 subsidized replacement units, 30 affordable units and 15 market rate units.
The site’s redevelopment will continue through several phases with full completion expected in 2029 with an anticipated total of 479 housing units.
Led by KCDC and Brinshore Development, the housing component of the Transforming Western plan aims to build and manage housing that serves households with a mix of incomes, increases choices and takes advantage of the unique site features, like sweeping views of the city.
Led by the City of Knoxville, the neighborhood component of the plan will address safety; transportation; open space such as parks and recreation; arts, culture and entrepreneurship; and cohesiveness of the community. Two large parks will include a hillside climbing park, playground and splashpad with spaces for creativity and a new neighborhood economic center, including food service and an entrepreneurial kitchen. KCDC broke ground on that phase July 8.
Led by the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC), the people component of the plan focuses on improving education outcomes; offering better internet access; boosting healthcare availability; establishing enrichment opportunities for youth; securing living wage jobs and career paths; and offering access to affordable, healthy and fresh foods.
“The intent is to transform these neighborhoods based on community input, and the Choice Neighborhoods grant provided the impetus to make it happen,” Bentley said. “We continue to break ground and celebrate as the vision takes shape. The views of the city and mountains make an excellent backdrop to a community where residents can flourish.”
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.
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 collaborate with the Knoxville community to create and preserve housing options and strengthen neighborhoods. KCDC provides quality affordable housing, advances development initiatives and fosters self-sufficiency. For more information, call 865-403-1100 or visit kcdc.org.
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