October 23, 2024
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation’s (KCDC) First Creek at Austin Phase 1 has earned a top award from a national housing and community development organization for the design of the redeveloped neighborhood.
The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) awarded the project an Award of Merit for the holistic approach to the neighborhood, including community input; preservation of culture; connection of the site to opportunities; open and walkable spaces; and trust built with residents and stakeholders well before construction started.
Johnson Architecture was the architect of record and led the master planning for the redevelopment effort, along with national partner, Gensler. Over the course of six months, the planning team held a series of events to identify potential challenges and key opportunities for the project. The team held three resident meetings, three stakeholder meetings and four open houses to give every community member a voice. That input was instrumental in designing the neighborhood, which has received multiple accolades and now serves as a blueprint for mixed-income, affordable housing communities in East Tennessee.
“We are pleased to see the project receive recognition, especially for the community input and planning,” said Daryl Johnson, founder and president of Johnson Architecture. “It’s gratifying to see our work help transform a community and improve quality of life for residents in the neighborhood, which is the ultimate goal in these redevelopment plans.”
The award was presented during a ceremony at NAHRO’s 2024 National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida in September.
NAHRO, which was established in 1933, is a membership organization of more than 26,000 housing and community development providers and professionals throughout the United States. NAHRO members create and manage affordable housing for low- and middle-income families and support vibrant communities that enhance the quality of life for all.
First Creek at Austin is built on the site of the former Austin Homes, which was established in 1941 on nearly 23 acres. Phase 1 opened in 2022 with 105 total units – 57 in one multifamily building and 48 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 now and will provide approximately 161 new housing units, including 50 supportive housing units for low-income seniors, age 62 and older.
The redevelopment project has received multiple awards including the 2024 Tennessee’s Best award for neighborhood stabilization from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) and the 2023 Orchids Awards for new architecture by Keep Knoxville Beautiful.
KCDC is the public housing authority for Knoxville and Knox County, Tennessee, tasked with finding solutions to create affordable housing to address the dwelling unit shortage.
To learn more about the project and see additional photos, please visit jainc.com.
