Mayor David Briley, representatives from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and several elected officials joined MDHA for a groundbreaking ceremony for Red Oak Flats, Envision Cayce’s fifth new residential construction and fourth mixed-income development.
“Today is the latest chapter in the new era of our city – one that brings everyone along,” said Mayor David Briley. “Red Oak Flats and related mixed-income developments are exactly what my Under One Roof 2029 affordable housing program is about – deconcentrating poverty and allowing people to afford to live in the urban core. I’d like to thank MDHA and our federal partners for their continued hard work to make this a reality.”
Red Oak Flats is a four-story apartment building and features 102 apartments, with 45 set aside for Cayce Place residents. The remaining 57 units will be a mix of workforce and market-rate. It will be located along South Seventh St. in East Nashville, less than a mile from downtown.
“During a recent visit to the site, I couldn’t help but notice the view point from Red Oak Flats. You can see current Cayce, the downtown Nashville skyline, two of our new residential construction developments coming out of the ground and the brand new Explore! Community School,” said MDHA Executive Director Jim Harbison. “This site gives us a glimpse of the past, new present and the future – a future where people of all backgrounds, incomes and views can live and thrive together.”
The development, which is being constructed by R.G. Anderson Company Inc., is being financially supported with HOME funds, a market rate loan, a Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) loan, as well as Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), which are competitively awarded by THDA.
“Red Oak Flats is another fine example of the partnership between THDA and MDHA over the years to improve affordable housing opportunities for the citizens of Nashville,” said THDA Executive Director Ralph Perrey. “We are proud to be a part of this project and the entire Envision Cayce development.”
This particular development features covered parking, a computer room, a large courtyard and a playground. Each apartment also includes an outdoor space such as a balcony or porch, a strongly desired amenity that emerged from the resident-led planning process.
“The city of Nashville, MDHA and community leadership are to be commended for their vision and continued commitment to make a difference in the lives of those we mutually serve,” said HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett. “Red Oaks Flats is evidence of that commitment and continued efforts to address the affordable housing challenges in Nashville.”
Several mature trees will remain onsite, thanks to MDHA’s direction and design by EOA Architects.
“East Nashville resident Tracey Ford of EOA Architects was diligent and creative in designing the Red Oak Flats building in a manner that preserves as many mature trees as possible,” said Councilman Brett Withers. “The trees are not exterior to Red Oak Flats housing units; they are an extension of the communal living room.”
Red Oak Flats is expected to be completed in early 2021.
The new construction is part of MDHA’s plan to rebuild Cayce Place, Nashville’s largest subsidized housing property, which is currently home to nearly 800 families. The Envision Cayce Master Plan calls for more than 2,000 units and ensures a one-for-one replacement of all subsidized units while adding new affordable, workforce and market-rate units.
MDHA plans to break ground on the next two residential construction developments at Envision Cayce in summer 2020.
