First Creek at Austin

First Creek at Austin is a multi-phase residential redevelopment in downtown Knoxville, TN involving approximately 450 units of new construction across three phases, with more than $130 million in total residential development and nearly $12 million in related public infrastructure improvements.

The first phase was financed through a competitive 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit execution and represented Knoxville’s first true mixed-income residential development. Phases two and three were financed through 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit executions, further advancing the transformation of the former Austin Homes site into a high-quality, mixed-income community.

The redevelopment also incorporated several complex HUD financing and preservation tools. Phases one and three were completed as part of HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration program, while phase three included a RAD for PRAC transaction and permanent supportive housing for elderly residents. Phase three was also awarded a highly competitive Section 202 Capital Advance grant, supporting the creation of deeply affordable senior housing within the broader redevelopment.

Jim played a key leadership role in advancing the project through planning, financing, development execution, and stakeholder coordination, helping transform a former public housing site into a new mixed-income community designed to serve residents and strengthen the surrounding neighborhood.

Accolades:

• Urban Land Institute (ULI), Rose Faeges-Easton Community Impact Award (2025)

• Urban Land Institute (ULI), Excellence in Development Award (2025)

• National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), Award of Merit (2024)

• Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Best Neighborhood Stabilization Award (2024)

• Keep Knoxville Beautiful, Orchid Ward (2023)

• Affordable Housing Finance, Readers’ Choice Award (2025)

Liberty Place

Liberty Place is a 32-unit permanent supportive housing development in Knoxville, Tennessee, created to serve Veterans experiencing homelessness. The project was the first project-based HUD-VASH development in Knoxville and was designed to provide deeply affordable housing paired with supportive services tailored to the needs of the residents it serves.

The development required close coordination with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for on-site supportive services, along with partnerships with local nonprofit organizations to provide wraparound services and help support long-term housing stability. The project’s design was intentionally shaped around the population being served, with a focus on creating a safe, accessible, and supportive residential environment for formerly homeless Veterans.

Liberty Place was financed through a complex capital structure that included competitive 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, HUD Community Project Funding, HOME-ARP funds, a Knox County land contribution, City of Knoxville grant funds, and CITC debt. The successful assembly of these sources required extensive coordination among public agencies, funding partners, lenders, service providers, and community stakeholders.

In his capacity at Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, Jim played a lead role in advancing Liberty Place from concept through execution. His responsibilities included site selection, project team engagement, design coordination, capitalization, financial closing, construction oversight, and coordination with external partners. The project reflects Jim’s experience delivering mission-driven supportive housing developments that combine affordable housing finance, public-sector collaboration, and service-enriched housing for vulnerable populations.

Accolades:

• National Coalition of Homeless Veterans (NCHV), Outstanding Partnership Award (2025)

• National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), Community Innovation Award (2025)

Western Heights / Choice Neighborhoods

The Western Heights Choice Neighborhoods redevelopment is a multi-phase transformation of nearly 60 acres of former public housing property in Knoxville, Tennessee. At full buildout, the redevelopment is expected to include nearly 500 new and replacement housing units across more than five phases, with each phase designed as mixed-income housing serving a broad range of income levels.

In addition to new residential development, the broader redevelopment plan includes several important non-residential components intended to support residents and strengthen the surrounding community. These include a medical clinic, community space, city parks, and mixed-use commercial space, creating a more complete neighborhood framework beyond housing alone.

The redevelopment is supported by a complex funding structure that includes a $40 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods grant, 9% and 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, significant City of Knoxville investment, hard debt, and philanthropic dollars. The scale and complexity of the initiative required extensive coordination among public agencies, housing partners, funders, design professionals, community stakeholders, and infrastructure providers.

In his capacity at Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, Jim was directly involved in the early phases of the redevelopment and played a key role in advancing the infrastructure necessary to support the overall project. His work included direct management of approximately $15 million in infrastructure improvements that underpinned the redevelopment and helped position the initial phases for successful execution. While his role was primarily focused on the first two phases prior to his departure from KCDC, the project reflects his broader experience with large-scale public housing transformation, mixed-income redevelopment, infrastructure coordination, and complex public-private funding strategies.