LOUISVILLE, Ky. — City officials joined community leaders in the Russell neighborhood to celebrate two major projects to revitalize neighborhoods in west Louisville.
"If you hear somebody say 'oh there's nothing going on in the west end of Louisville,' tell them to get out a little bit and see what's going on," Mayor Greg Fischer said.
Monday morning, Fischer and officials with the Louisville Metro Housing Authority (LMHA) and Louisville Metro Parks broke ground on a $11.6 million renovation and expansion of the Baxter Community Center.
Construction on the project is expected to begin next month and the center, located on West Liberty Street, is planned to reopen in summer 2024.
The project includes a 4,500-square-foot wing on the building's west side, a lounge area, gymnasium, classrooms, audio/video room, plaza, accessible playground, refurbished basketball courts and expanded parking.
"The real winners here are the people, the children, the families of the area that will have a warm, nurturing safe place to come into to learn about life," educator Rosa Livingston said.
Fischer also joined leaders with the St. Peters' United Church of Christ on Monday to announce Louisville Metro Government would be dedicating $2 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support the $5.1 million redevelopment of the St. Peter's church.
"The time is right to restore and return too the Beecher community which we love and are called to serve," Rev. Jamesetta Ferguson said.
Ferguson says the historic building will be converted into a multipurpose space called "The Village @ West Jefferson Too!"
Once complete, it will include a worship chapel, nonprofit offices, a resource library, Dare to Care Food Bank and additional neighborhood amenities and services.
"Since the beginning of my administration, my team and I have worked with people across our community to regenerate the nine neighborhoods of west Louisville without displacing those who've long called it home," Fischer said, adding that the investment has resulted in $1.5 billion of investment into the community.
"This work does not stop when I leave office," he said. "Let's keep working together as a city for the people of west Louisville and the future of west Louisville."
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