![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1936-History_C-p0003.jpg)
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) was founded in 1936 as Knoxville Housing Authority (KHA).
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1938-History_B-p0004-1.jpg)
KHA applies for $2.5 million for slum clearance and low-rent housing. First housing units included:
- 320 units at College Homes
- 244 units at Western Heights
- 200 Units at Austin Homes
The building permit for more than $1 million was the largest in Knoxville history in 1938.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1940-History_C-p0025.jpg)
First families move into College Homes and Western Heights in 1940.
First families move into Austin Homes in 1941.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1952-Lonsdale-Before.jpg)
Lonsdale Homes completed.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1962-Yale-Avenue-Housing-Authority-Knoxnews-1.jpg)
Yale Avenue Urban Renewal Project is unveiled. The $12 million project allowed the University of Tennessee to double the size of its Knoxville campus. The project covered 135 acres of land and resulted in the relocation of 393 families.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1964.jpg)
KHA begins the $7 million Mountain View Urban Renewal project, which provided 190 acres for the development of the Safety Building, Hyatt Regency, Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, Chamber of Commerce, Fort Hill Building Complex and additional private development.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1965.jpeg)
KHA’s Central Office Building on Broadway completed.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1966-_DSC5949.jpg)
Guy B. Love Towers completed, which provided 249 units for elderly.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1957-1-scaled.jpg)
Walter P. Taylor Homes completed, providing 500 units for elderly and disabled.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1969-Northgate-2012-05-10-06.52.32.jpg)
Northgate Terrace high-rise completed, which provided 277 units for elderly. Cagle Terrace high-rise completed, which provided 274 units of elderly.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1970-Alex-Haley.jpg)
KHA begins Social Service Program. KHA begins $16 million Morningside Urban Renewal, which included elderly high-rise Isabella Towers, 200 single-family homes, four parks, a black cultural center, numerous commercial developments and new public improvements.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1972-TVA_1.jpg)
Montgomery Village, Christenberry Heights and Isabella Towers completed. KHA begins the development of the TVA twin towers project, the agency’s first project in the city center.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/KCDC-Exterior-scaled.jpg)
KHA changes its name to Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation to better reflect its role as both public housing authority and redevelopment agency for the City of Knoxville.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1979-WFair.jpg)
Work begins on developing the World’s Fair site in the Lower Second Creek Redevelopment Project area; complete acquisitions, relocation and demolition of 1982 World’s Fair site.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1987-The-Manor-25-years.jpg)
The Manor, an innovative program that provides supportive services to seniors, begins at Isabella Towers.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1995-WFRNT_3.jpg)
KCDC begins waterfront improvements along Volunteer Landing that include condominiums, public park improvements and retail and restaurant spaces.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1998-College-Homes-p0016.jpg)
KCDC receives $26 million HOPE VI revitalization grant to rebuild Mechanicsville Commons on the site of College Homes, now nearly 70 years old.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2001-Market-Square-2.jpg)
KCDC and the City of Knoxville break ground on facade improvements and an entertainment pavilion as part of the Market Square redevelopment plan.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2002-State-office-building.jpg)
State office building built and ribbon-cutting held in Mechanicsville neighborhood.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2006-Hope-VI.jpg)
HOPE VI project completed in Mechanicsville at a total cost of $41 million.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2008-Lonsdale-After.jpg)
KCDC completes a $26 million upgrade of Lonsdale Homes with a mixture of renovation and new construction for decreased density and community feel.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2009-NorthRidge-Crossing.jpg)
KCDC merges with Knox County Housing Authority; upgrade of Christenberry Heights unveiled and renamed to North Ridge Crossing after a $16 million remodeling into a premier property.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2010-Valley-Oaks.jpg)
KCDC begins Five Points redevelopment project with six senior housing duplexes and breaks ground on The Residences at Eastport.
KCDC unveils energy-efficiency upgrades and facade improvements at Valley Oaks.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2011-Eastport-ribbon-cutting-photo.jpg)
KCDC completes 85-unit The Residences at Eastport, constructed using the facade of the Five Points community’s first African-American elementary school.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2012-Natures-Cove-Autumn-Landing-renovations.jpg)
KCDC’s The Residences at Eastport awarded LEED Platinum from the U.S. Green Building Council; 183 units of Walter P. Taylor Homes demolished.
KCDC unveils renovations to Virginia Walker and Bakertown apartments and renames the Knox County properties to Autumn Landing and Nature’s Cove.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2013-Multiplex-ribbon-cutting-2.jpg)
Multiplex and single-family home adjacent to Paul Hogue Park unveiled in Five Points.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2015-MAster-Plan.jpg)
Five Points Master Plan unveiled to the public after extensive community input project
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2016-FullSizeRender.jpg)
KCDC breaks ground on 95-unit senior housing development in Five Points, The Residences at Five Points.
![](https://www.kcdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Residences-at-Five-Points-exterior-scaled.jpg)
KCDC opens The Residences at Five Points.