Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) has earned national recognition for Five Points Phase 2, which has been certified by Enterprise Green Communities.
The certification demonstrates KCDC’s commitment to the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable construction practices for affordable housing. Enterprise Green Communities uses five criteria to determine certification – planning process, operational efficiency, resource conservation, energy efficiency and healthy living environment.
Five Points Phase 2, located at the east corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and McConnell Street in East Knoxville, officially opened Sept. 19. The complex covers more than six acres and features 80 energy-efficient affordable housing units, green spaces, sidewalks and a playground.
“We want to create a sense of community and promote a healthy, sustainable living environment by focusing on green construction practices and energy efficiency,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “We appreciate the commitment of our design and construction teams and other partners on this project who helped achieve this recognition.”
Ross/Deckard Architects and Johnson Architecture designed Phase 2 with Merit Construction as the construction contractor. KCDC’s owner’s representative on the project was Partners.
The Five Points Master Plan was developed with years of community input as a guide to replace the outdated Walter P. Taylor Homes and Lee Williams developments with modern affordable housing units. The plan is to be completed in four phases. In May 2018, KCDC officials broke ground on Five Points Phase 3, and Phase 4, the final phase of Five Points revitalization, will break ground in 2019.