The Director of Louisville Metro Housing Authority (LMHA), Tim Barry, is retiring in late spring 2018. Barry was appointed to the position in 2001 by Mayor David Armstrong.
“In his many years, Tim has been a model public servant who always put the residents of Louisville first and aspired to add to our quality of life with every project he tackled,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “Our city’s current momentum and enthusiasm would not be what it is today if not for the tireless work of Tim Barry.”
Barry first joined Louisville Metro Government in 1977 as a manager in the city’s purchasing department. Throughout his 40 years in city government, Barry served Mayors Sloane, Stansbury, Armstrong, Abramson and Fischer, and worked on various special projects, including:
• Three successful Hope VI development projects
• $700 million Airport Improvement project from 1988-1997
• Downtown Trolley project in coordination with TARC
• Initial development and creation of Brightside, the city’s public/private partnership that promotes a clean and green city
Most recently, Barry and his team helped secure the $30 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods grant for the revitalization of the Russell neighborhood, including the Beecher Terrace public housing development. The grant is expected to leverage more than $200 million in private, foundation, nonprofit and public dollars to fully implement Vision Russell, a comprehensive transformation plan for the neighborhood, starting with a phased deconstruction and redevelopment of the Beecher Terrace public housing site. Louisville is the only city in the U.S. to receive planning, action and implementation grants under the Choice Neighborhoods initiative.
Under Barry’s leadership, LMHA received international recognition for the revitalization of the Villages of Park DuValle, one of the most successful Hope VI initiatives in the U.S. The agency was awarded a second Hope VI grant for the Clarksdale public housing development, now known as Liberty Green. A third Hope VI grant was awarded for the transformation of Sheppard Square in the Smoketown neighborhood.
“I’ve had a marvelous 40-year career with local government and had the opportunity to work with five outstanding mayors and hundreds of equally outstanding local, state and federal government employees. I was fortunate to work on number of game-changing projects that I hope improved the quality of life for those of us who live here,” said Barry. “A very special thanks to the staff at LMHA where I’ve spent the last 17 years. I can’t thank them enough for the support they have given me and the service they’ve provided our residents. Lastly, I want thank my wife Melissa. Spending more time with her is why I’m looking forward to retirement.”
Barry’s replacement will be named at a later date.
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