On April 24, 2009, Johnson City officials helped dedicate a milestone project dedicated to providing affordable housing for Johnson City residents. The new subdivision, Preservation Pointe, is located on King Springs Road across from the former King Springs School. Among other contributions, the city provided the land for the subdivision. “The City of Johnson City is truly excited about this innovative affordable housing development”, said Community Development Director Steve Baldwin. “We are proud to be a partner, representing the city’s first efforts with affecting the development of affordable housing in a subdivision with a significant number of housing units.

The lead developer in the project is Eastern Eight Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit developer of sustainable homes located at 221 East Unaka Avenue in Johnson City. Eastern Eight hosted the dedication ceremonies which featured Congressman Phil Roe and Johnson City Mayor Jane Myron. Congressman Roe, a former Johnson City Mayor, commented that he was extremely proud of the new neighborhood and its superb view of the mountains and the hard work that brought the project to fruition. Mayor Myron commended the partnerships involved and stressed that by bringing the strong project team together, instead of having merely a good project that a great project has been developed.

Preservation Pointe is an effort to provide healthy, energy-efficient housing to low-to-moderate income families. “The housing development is a prime example of green building coming together with affordable housing,” said Melissa Davis, Eastern Eight special projects coordinator. The 14 new homes each have around 1,200 square feet and are priced in the lower $100,000 range.

Eastern Eight’s drive is to provide green living benefits to homeowners and occupants, says Executive Director Retha Patton, while providing benefits to communities and to the environment. "Green housing is affordable housing," Patton said. "Earth-friendly housing reduces utility and maintenance costs and ensures homeowners save money.”

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In addition to the City of Johnson City, project partners include Addison Homes, Builders FirstSource, Consolidated Testing Services, EarthCraft House, Eastman Credit Union, Evergreen of Johnson City, Fannie Mae, Federal Home Loan Bank Atlanta, General Shale Brick, Highlands Engineering, Housing Assistance Council, K&K Construction, Northeast Tennessee / Virginia HOME Consortium, Seedco Financial’s Green Building Program, Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Washington County Soil Conservation District Youth Board and Williams Construction. “Preservation Pointe is now a model for future developments,” Patton said. "The subdivision is an incredible example of a comprehensive housing agency teaming with strong partners to develop eco-friendly and energy-efficient affordable housing for those most in need.”

Photo: Left to right – Mayor Jane Myron, Congressman Phil Roe, Steve Baldwin, Community Development Director, City of Johnson City