Breaking ground on Hero’s Hill
“I’m very excited, “RCF president Candace Viox said. “I cannot wait to go to the ribbon cutting.
“I’m hoping that within a year, when they get the site done and the houses set up, we are hoping to know more of when the pavilion and outdoor projects, which the Rotary Club of Farragut is going to be directly impacted, will be ready.
“I’ll be asking our community for gardeners,” she said. “They are going to have a garden area … when you look at the plans of what they are going to be doing on the site, it’s very exciting.”
RCF’s part in the project started Aug. 20, 2025, when the club heard from Mayor Glenn Jacobs, who shared his goals for Operation Hero’s Hill.
“He shared about the need and opportunity for 120 homeless veterans in Knox County,” Viox said. “Forty-one percent of them are experiencing homelessness or have physical and mental disabilities.
“So, Mayor Glenn Jacobs created and championed Operation Hero’s Hill, a transformative initiative dedicated to ending veteran homelessness by providing safe, stable and dignified housing for those who have given much in defense of our country,” she said.
The project is across the street from TCAP on Liberty Street in downtown Knoxville.
“That area, being close to the freeway, close to downtown, close to Sutherland Avenue and a sidewalk system, will allow the veterans to be able to hopefully navigate the area pretty easily, especially once they get in some [Americans with Disabilities Act] transportation for pick-up and drop-off,” Viox said. “The project’s going to create 20 tiny homes that are ADA compliant and interiors with options of accessibility ramps.
“The community feature will feature a computer lab, washers and dryers, a fitness center and an outdoor meeting space,” Viox said. “The outdoor pavilion will serve as a gathering space for veterans to build their own community network.
“So, the Rotary Club of Farragut committed to help with the outdoor pavilion equipment, with an estimated dollar amount cost of $10,000, and gym equipment for the interior gym, which will be an estimated $9,160,” she said. “With the $20,000 that’s needed with these two projects to help Operation Hero’s Hill’s success, $10,000 of the dollars came from the Rotary Club of Farragut and other Rotary Clubs in Knoxville associated with District 6780.
“The other $10,000 is being matched by Rotary International,” Viox said. “The grant was written by Becky Duncan, the leader in our Rotary Club of Farragut who requested $10,000 on behalf of a match from Rotary International. It was accepted.
“Because of the hard work of the Rotary Club of Farragut and the other Rotary Clubs in Knoxville, we were able to commit the $20,000 to help Operation Hero’s Hill,” she said.
Another “cool” part of the project is that the 20 tiny homes actually are being built by high school students around Knox County, Viox remarked.
Farragut High School is building two of those homes.
“Farragut High School is involved with their welders, plumbers, heating and air program, as is Bearden High School,” she said. “The tiny homes are on their school property and the students are being assisted with mentors.
“Cara Knapp and her architectural team from oysk3 architect firm created the designs for all of the tiny homes,” Viox said, noting oysk3’s team also developed the build-out for Water Into Wine bistro and lounge, for which Viox is owner.
“Once I knew the people involved in Operation Hero’s Hill, it was easy for me to be able to meet with my Rotarians and share the opportunity to connect and raise the money for this good cause,” she said.
“At the moment, there are 12 houses that are completed, and Knox County is waiting for them to complete the land development, which was the groundbreaking ceremony was going to do, so they could start bringing in the fill dirt and get everything ready to start placing the homes.”
The groundbreaking ceremony also included Jacobs, U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett and Marsha Blackburn
