NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It has been the largest public housing complex in Nashville, and it was set to get a multi-million dollar makeover.
Those with the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency said they have big plans for the 63-acre property known as Cayce Homes in East Nashville.
“We're hoping to make this a better community by pulling together all these different kinds of people with different socio economic statuses,” said Juanita Traughber of M.D.H.A.
They said soon, anyone would be able to live in Cayce Homes. The new Cayce Place Redevelopment District has been in the works since 2013, and when completed, it was set to feature nearly 128,000 square feet of retail space and housing available to people with different incomes.
“About 44 percent will be market rate housing for young professionals or people who are making above median income,” Traughber said.
M.D.H.A. was set to break ground at the corner of 5th and Summer Place in July to start building 68 new apartments.
If Metro Council approved a land swap with Metro Parks, the nine acres close to Kirkpatrick Park would turn into the first of over 2,000 brand new housing units.
Eventually all the old buildings will be demolished, giving way for some premium views. The plan was for construction to continue without displacing current residents.
“People who live here will continue to live here, we're just improving the standard of living for them,” Traughber said.
Most of the residents we spoke with didn't know about the project, but the ones who did said they’re happy to see change coming and added it was needed.
The next step in this project was for MDHA to secure funding through the Redevelopment District. A public hearing has been scheduled in July.
