Tag Archives: Executive Director Dow Harris

The Highlands Residential Services Board spent Friday morning celebrating Operations Manager Chris Cassetty as he heads for retirement. Executive Director Dow Harris said Cassetty technically retired in December but has been diligent in helping the staff through the transition. “We’ve done well,” Harris said. “I’ve said all along that I really appreciate my partner over the years in Chris. He’s ... Read More »

The Highlands Residential Services Board got a look at the floor plans and renderings for the Magnolia Ridge Apartments and Red Bud Village located off Buffalo Valley Road. Consultant Alvin Nancy said the proposed Magnolia Ridge Apartments would have 77 units. He said the Red Bud Village apartment would include a pair of two-story buildings designed to look like townhomes. ... Read More »

Highlands Residential Services Board voted to revise its pet policy during its Thursday meeting. A pet deposit will no longer be charged to potential residents. Executive Director Dow Harris said the pet policy has become an ineffective tool. “I’d say we have less than a dozen a year, applications for a pet,” Harris said. “They’re all emotional support animals because ... Read More »

The Highlands Residential Services Board passed a new policy Thursday designed to keep residents making too much money from living in public housing. Tenants thought to be receiving income above the limit for public housing will be given a monitoring notice, according to Executive Director Dow Harris. “They’ll have 24 months to be monitored, they can continue to pay the ... Read More »

The Highlands Residential Services Board approved a letter of intent to sell its Claude Darwin Property Thursday. Nashville Real Estate Professional Waddell Wright led the process. He said a developer has agreed to purchase the 11.5 acres for $3 million in cash. “They’re going to keep the units intact,” Wright said. “What they are going to do is renovate and ... Read More »

Nearly 100 new affordable housing units in Cookeville celebrated by Highlands Residential Services Tuesday. The housing authority held a ribbon cutting for its newest development Oak Tree Towers and broke ground on its next phase Hickory Valley. Executive Director Dow Harris said the developments bring a new image to affordable housing. “We celebrate the completion of phase two and phase ... Read More »

Highlands Residential Services will temporarily close most housing applications starting July 31st due to long waiting lists. Executive Director Dow Harris said only Oak Tree Towers will continue accepting potential residents while applications for public housing, Walnut Village and Willow Heights will pause. “There were 278 persons or families on the public housing waiting list alone,” Harris said. “That’s about ... Read More »

Highlands Residential Services has hired an engineer to design a replacement water system for its Baxter sites. Executive Director Dow Harris said the city was made a priority after nine found leaks in the past year. “The master meter will go away,” Harris said. “We’re going to have a whole new system with fire hydrants, individual meters. Residents will get ... Read More »

Water loss continues to be a problem for Highlands Residential Services with multiple new leaks over the past month. Executive Director Dow Harris recommended to the housing authority board Thursday to consider replacing lines in the most serious areas of Baxter. “These Baxter water leaks are killing us,” Harris said. “They are not coming to the surface. We are having ... Read More »

A growing waiting list for Highlands Residential Services housing spawned conversation within its board Thursday on how to move forward. The housing authority has about 278 applicants waiting for a unit making for an estimated year wait time. Director of Operations Chris Cassetty said the numbers have lead to internal discussions on temporarily closing some waiting lists. “I have mixed ... Read More »