KNOXVILLE - Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC), along with business and community leaders and residents, officially opened the first new housing development of the Transforming Western initiative on January 14.

Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) officially opens The Overlook at Beaumont on Jan. 14, 2026, the first phase of residential development for the Transforming Western initiative. Participants in the ribbon-cutting ceremony are, from left, Caleb Dyer, Karina Fox, Susan Troop, Melissa Dillon, Lori Ferman, Terri Stanley, Nathaniel Estabrooks and Marisa Moazen of KCDC; Bob Whetsel and Kim Henry, KCDC Board; Knoxville City Councilwoman Debbie Helsley; former Knoxville City Councilwoman Gwen McKenzie; Kevin DuBose, City of Knoxville; Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon; Ben Bentley, KCDC executive director and CEO; Todd Lieberman, Anna Libby and David Brint of Brinshore; Walter Perry, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Katie Moore, Tennessee Housing Development Agency; Annette Reschke, Ashley Blaede and Christine Johnson of J.P. Morgan Community Development Banking; Hunter Gee, Smith Gee Studio; Bart Jenkins, Jenkins & Stiles; and Rick Blackburn, Blackburn Development Group. Image courtesy of Courtesy of Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation

The Overlook at Beaumont includes 76 rental units with one- to five-bedroom options, including 31 subsidized replacement units, 30 affordable units and 15 market rate units. The apartment units include quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, dishwashers, washer and dryer connections as well as sleek, modern design. Some units include balconies with sweeping views.

“Transforming Western started with the idea to holistically change a community,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “It took the combined efforts and vision of residents and leaders at the local, state and federal levels to embrace this initiative and make it a reality. With the official opening of The Overlook at Beaumont, the neighborhood is on its way to offering residents the opportunity to thrive through early education and improved access to employment, healthcare, recreation and supportive services.”

The Overlook at Beaumont offers an on-site leasing office with conference room; resident lounge featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the city and mountains; a fitness center; and laundry facilities. The site includes a playground, picnic area and nearby Boys and Girls Club. The property is pet-friendly and trash, water and sewer are included.

The new residential community is the first of six to open at Beaumont as part of the Transforming Western Initiative. The construction project is planned to proceed in several phases, with final completion anticipated by 2029. Once finished, the redevelopment will deliver a total of 479 newly constructed residential units within the neighborhood.

Funding for Transforming Western comes in part from a $40 million U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods grant that was announced in 2022. The City of Knoxville is investing $4.2 million in infrastructure, as part of $26.5 million committed over multiple budgets. “Transforming Western is not just meeting our community’s need for housing, it’s creating a neighborhood where residents can thrive,” Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said. “The City’s $26.5 million investment will support infrastructure and prioritize access for all to transportation, jobs, entrepreneurship opportunities, healthcare and technology.”

Architecture for The Overlook at Beaumont is provided by Smith Gee Studio of Nashville; Jenkins & Stiles is general contractor; Richman Group is equity partner; and lender is J.P. Morgan Community Development Banking. Blackburn Development Group is serving as owner’s representative.

For property and leasing information about The Overlook at Beaumont, visit LiveatBeaumont.com.

In addition to the new housing at The Overlook at Beaumont, 232 units have been renovated at the adjacent Historic Western Heights, which opened to residents in 2025. It offers 92 one-bedroom, 101 two-bedroom and 39 three-bedroom units. The original 244-unit property, designed by Baumann & Baumann, opened in 1940. The recent renovation included the removal of 12 units to allow for better drainage and vehicle access to the property, along with the conversion of 12 existing units to ADA-accessible units and the addition of a playground.


About the Transforming Western initiative

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 stakeholder groups with a vested interest in the neighborhood. The grant program enables communities to replace distressed public housing and HUD-assisted developments with new mixed-income housing.

Choice Neighborhoods grantees and their partners invest in tailored supportive services to improve employment, health and educational outcomes for residents living in public and other HUD-assisted housing. Local supportive services, including health clinics, schools, early education centers, job training providers and employers, can empower residents.

Led by KCDC and Brinshore Development, the housing component of the Transforiming 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.

Led by the City of Knoxville, the neighborhood component of the Transforming Western plan will address safety; transportation; open space such as parks and recreation; arts, culture and entrepreneurship; and cohesiveness of the community. Two large parks in later phases will include a hillside climbing park, playground and splashpad with spaces for creativity and entrepreneurship to build a new neighborhood economic center, including food service and an entrepreneurial kitchen.

Led by the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC), the people component of the Transforming Western 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 first step of the overall initiative was completed in October 2022 with the official opening of the Western Heights Head Start center, which provides comprehensive preschool programs for neighborhood children from infant to age 5.

Information about the full plan is available at transformingwestern.com.

Established in 1939, the original Western Heights was KCDC’s largest affordable housing developmentand is located just off Keith and Western avenues in Northwest Knoxville.


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.