More than 70 Five Points residents and stakeholders provided feedback on proposed housing types, neighborhood framework and site development at Knoxville's Community Development Corporation's (KCDC) second Five Points Master Plan public workshop at the Walter P. Taylor Boys and Girls Club on Dec. 5.

"KCDC continues to engage those who live and work in Five Points in planning for the community's future," said KCDC Executive Director and CEO Alvin Nance. "The workshop activities have given us a better idea of the needs in this community and how new, affordable housing can address these needs. We will incorporate the input we received at our previous two public meetings into the Master Plan that we will present at our last meeting in January."

Walter P. Taylor Homes Property Manager Rhonda Harris explains examples of conceptual housing designs to KCDC resident Dewey Roberts at a public workshop station at the Walter P. Taylor Boys and Girls Club on Dec. 5. Residents of Walter P. Taylor Homes and Dr. Lee L. Williams Senior Complex were asked to place stickers on architectural styles that they would like to see in the new, affordable housing developments planned for Five Points. At the meeting, residents participated in two workshop exercises led by members of the Master Plan team. The Five Points Master Plan team, led by Johnson Architecture, includes Urban Collage, the Communities Group, Carol R. Johnson Associates (CRJA), Vision Engineering and Real Property Research Group.

Lexington-based urban design firm Urban Collage led a station presenting neighborhood framework ideas, including proposed plans for streets, sidewalks and open spaces. Johnson Architecture presented images of assorted architectural styles for new housing and gathered feedback.

A summary report with results from the second Five Points Master Plan public workshop will be posted with reports from prior meetings on KCDC's website (www.kcdc.org) under the "Five Points Revitalization" icon.

"Five Points revitalization is a multiphase, multiyear process," Nance said. "This Master Plan is the next step in this process. As new, affordable housing is added to the community, our hope is that it will have a positive effect on all aspects of the community."

KCDC and its owner's representative, Partners Development, have already completed several major construction projects in Five Points.

Beginning in August of 2012, 86 units of Walter P. Taylor Homes and 97 units of Dr. Lee L. Williams Senior Complex were demolished as part of a first phase to replace older public housing in Five Points with new units.

In 2011, KCDC opened the Residences at Eastport, an 85-unit, LEED Platinum-certified senior housing development in Five Points. Senior housing duplexes were also added in 2010, placing an additional 20 housing units in the community. These developments are fully leased.

In November, KCDC completed the next phase of redevelopment in the area when it opened two multiplex buildings that will house 12 Five Points families. Two duplexes and a single-family home have already been constructed and leased. In total, 17 family-style units have been added to the neighborhood.

In total, 122 units have been constructed to replace the demolished units. Residents displaced by the demolition at Walter P. Taylor Homes received priority placement in a new unit in Five Points, priority placement at another KCDC property or a Section 8 voucher.

The Five Points Master Plan development process includes three public workshops and is expected to conclude in 2014.

Since 1936, KCDC has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Knoxville and Knox County. KCDC's mission is to improve and transform neighborhoods and communities by providing quality affordable housing, advancing development initiatives and fostering self-sufficiency. For more information, call 865-403-1100 or visit www.kcdc.org.