May. 07, 2025
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) has earned two prestigious Urban Land Institute (ULI) awards for First Creek at Austin Phase 1 that recognize exceptional design, land use, financial success and transformational impact on a community.
ULI Nashville presented the 2025 Rose Faeges-Easton Community Impact Award and an Excellence in Development Award to KCDC during a ceremony April 30 at the Omni Nashville Hotel to honor exceptional developments in Middle and East Tennessee.
“We are proud that First Creek at Austin exemplifies a model for modern neighborhood revitalization, and we are especially grateful for the Community Impact Award as the first recipient from Knoxville,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “ULI Nashville selects award winners for developments that are worthy of emulation, and that is a high standard to achieve. KCDC and all of our partners are grateful to have been recognized, and we look forward to the continued success of First Creek at Austin.”
Knoxville’s first mixed-income community, First Creek at Austin provides subsidized, workforce and market-rate housing in one neighborhood, connects residents to education, jobs and other resources and transformed an isolated location into a community with access to downtown; employment opportunities; walking and transit connectivity; and nearby development of retail, restaurants and a new multi-use stadium.
The Community Impact Award was established in 2023 to honor founding ULI Nashville Director Rose Faeges-Easton, who had a special affinity for projects that addressed community needs through design and development and engaged community members and/or modeled public/private partnerships. Only one honoree is selected for this award each year, and KCDC is the third recipient in Tennessee.
Phase 1 started the transformation of the neighborhood with variations in housing styles and amenities for residents, including a community resource center, green spaces, playground and fitness center. The development also includes structured parking spaces; new walk/bike paths; a bus stop within the community; and sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, including a signalized crosswalk to a nearby elementary school.
The redevelopment project has received multiple awards, including a 2024 Award of Merit from National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO); 2024 Tennessee’s Best award for neighborhood stabilization from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA); and 2023 Orchids Awards for new architecture by Keep Knoxville Beautiful.
Johnson Architecture was the architect of record for Phase 1 and led the master planning for the redevelopment effort, along with national partner, Gensler. The planning team held three resident meetings, three stakeholder meetings and four open houses. The input was instrumental in designing a neighborhood that addresses community wants and needs.
First Creek at Austin is on the site of the former Austin Homes, which was established in 1941 on nearly 23 acres and had become obsolete. The new 105 units in Phase 1 have a 100% occupancy rate.
Phase 1 opened in 2022 with 57 units in one multifamily building and 48 units spread across eight smaller townhome-style buildings. Phase 2 opened in 2024 with 180 one- to three-bedroom units.
Construction for Phase 3 is underway and will provide 161 new housing units, including 50 supportive housing units for low-income seniors, age 62 and older. The family units will be located in large buildings and townhomes and will offer one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom options.
KCDC is tasked with finding solutions to help address the critical need for housing in Knoxville and Knox County. Construction funds for First Creek at Austin Phase 1 came primarily through $13 million of low-income housing tax credits from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), which allowed KCDC to raise tax credit equity to fund development.
About Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation
Since 1936, KCDC has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Knoxville. KCDC’s mission is to improve and transform neighborhoods and communities by providing high-quality affordable housing, advancing development initiatives and fostering self-sufficiency. For more information, call 865-403-1100 or visit kcdc.org.
