Cookeville To Contribute $250K To HRS Redbud Village Proposed Housing

The City of Cookeville will vote to aid Highlands Residential Services with its proposed housing project with a $250,000 contribution.

Highlands Director of Operations Chris Cassetty said Redbud Village is projected to be a 20-unit development geared towards victims of domestic violence or those at risk of homelessness. He said the city’s contribution will supplement a state grant of $2.5 million.

“I really think the city’s actions, they’re just saying ‘We’ve promised this and it looks like this may come to fruition,'” Cassetty said. “‘So let’s kind of set it aside so it’s there for them if they get to that point.'”

Cassetty said they have applied for an additional grant that will hopefully cover the project. He said the units would join the recently completed Oak Tree Towers on the property off Buffalo Valley Road.

Cassetty said they hope to hear back about the results of that grant within the next month or so. He said if the state awards the grant, they will likely be able to break ground this fall.

“This is one of those things where we try very hard to partner with the city and the city’s been very good to us over the years and it was kind of they saw a need and we saw need and they said, ‘Hey if you guys can put this together we’d be willing to help a little,” Cassetty said. “So I applaud our city leaders for that.”

Cassetty said at this time they have not approached the county for funding aid.

“Hopefully this will work out to be a good project,” Cassetty said.