KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — On Wednesday, city and community leaders gathered for Mayor Indya Kincannon’s 2023 State of the City address.

During the address, Kincannon unveiled her 2023-24 budget. The address began at noon at the Western Heights / Beaumont community, 1800 Vermont Ave.

The address and luncheon event was held at the site of the “Transforming Western” initiative, a more than $200 million collaborative plan to revamp, renew and reconnect Knoxville’s largest public housing community, a city news release states.

The city also says Mayor Kincannon chose this location in Beaumont as the site for her fourth State of the City Address because of the City’s commitment to the “Transforming Western” project. 

Knoxville’s Community Development Corp. has been awarded a $40 million U.S. Housing and Urban Development grant, and Mayor Kincannon and the City are investing $26.5 million in infrastructure and financial assistance for affordable housing in the area.  

“Transforming Western” will revitalize the public housing community and the surrounding neighborhood, reflecting in its vision months of extensive input from residents.