Saturday November 15, 2025
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SubscribeLouisville Metro Government’s Office of Redevelopment Strategies is launching a citywide effort to address the issue of redlining in Louisville – past and present.
As part of this effort, the office today unveiled an interactive tool that uses maps and data to illustrate how redlining impacted Louisville in the past, and still does today. The map will be used to enhance community conversations about redlining, which takes many forms but is most commonly the practice of denying loans in certain neighborhoods because of race or socioeconomic characteristics.
Redlining dates back to 1933, when the U.S. government created the Home Owner’s Loan Corporation (HOLC) to bolster the housing market and homeownership opportunities across the nation. The HOLC created residential securities maps, better known as redlining maps, to guide investment in U.S. cities. These maps assigned grades to neighborhoods to indicate their desirability for investment. Black, immigrant and low-income neighborhoods were often given low grades, eliminating their access to mortgage insurance or credit for decades. Although the HOLC was discontinued in 1951, the impact of disinvestment resulting from redlining is still evident in Louisville and most other U.S. cities today.
“Our city defines compassion as providing citizens the tools and support necessary to reach their full human potential,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “Through past and present forms of redlining, unnecessary hurdles are placed in front of some residents, keeping them from that potential. This map and data is meant to spark a community conversation that results in removing those hurdles.”
Local urban planner Joshua Poe has developed the interactive story map entitled “Redlining Louisville: The History of Race, Class and Real Estate.” This tool illustrates the ways that redlining has affected housing development, disinvestment and lending patterns in Louisville since the 1930s. By layering data sets such as vacant properties, building permits and property values, the map shows how the intentional redlining that was devised in the 1930s has had consequences that are evident still today.
Examples of conventional redlining that still exists today include refusal to provide delivery in certain areas, business loan denials regardless of credit-worthiness and refusal to write property insurance policies or dropping property owners from insurance coverage altogether.
Other forms of redlining, referred to as reverse redlining, also exist. Examples of reverse redlining include offering services low-income residents at higher prices, higher interest rates and excessive service fees or inferior products. This example may come in forms such as payday loans, cash advances, and expedited tax returns.
With the launch of the interactive map, the city is convening a yearlong community dialogue to gain understanding, to collect ideas and to formulate recommendations that support citizens’ wealth-creation, homeownership and development opportunities in west Louisville and other areas experiencing disinvestment. By beginning this dialogue, the city is acknowledging the past and working to better our future by removing hurdles that prevent some residents from reaching their full human potential.
“Today is an opportunity to begin talking openly about many of the systematic and institutional challenges faced by everyday people trying to get ahead,” Office of Redevelopment Strategies Director Jeana Dunlap said. “Some of our neighborhoods need basic services or amenities that may be taken for granted in other areas of town. We hope to bring light to these challenges and find innovative ways to stimulate investment, stabilize housing conditions and improve overall quality of place for impacted areas.”
There are three scheduled public events that will be held to discuss the various impacts of redlining in our city. Details of those events are as follows:
- February 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Louisville Urban League, hosted by the Louisville Urban League and Greater Louisville Project,
- March 28 at 5:30 p.m. at New Directions Housing Corporation, hosted by New Directions Housing Corporation, Human Relations Commission, and Metropolitan Housing Coalition,
- April 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the YouthBuild Louisville, hosted by The Center For Health Equity and YouthBuild Louisville.
Additionally, volunteer ambassadors will be educated on map information and trained to lead discussions throughout the community. These ambassadors will be encouraged to make presentations in their neighborhoods and record the thoughts and ideas provided by community members.
If you would like to be an ambassador or if you are an elected official or local organization that would like to provide support to this effort, please contact one of the partners below or visit the Office of Redevelopment Strategies website. Residents can also provide their thoughts by visiting the website and on social media using the hashtag #EraseTheLines.
The Office of Redevelopment Strategies coordinates cross-functional targeted neighborhood revitalization with a high level of accountability for tangible, data-driven actions that produce visible improvements in the built environment while supporting households, entrepreneurs, institutions, and other stakeholders.
To visit the interactive story map, please visit: https://lojic.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=e4d2990795…
For more information on Metro’s efforts to combat redlining and the upcoming community conversation, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/redevelopment-strategies
Mayor Greg Fischer announced expanded resources coming to the Nia Center, a one-stop workforce and entrepreneurial development center located at 2900 W. Broadway. Enhancements include department function additions and training opportunities, a new loan program and the addition of a café.
“Our city has great economic momentum right now. We have to make sure that opportunity and prosperity reach every neighborhood in our city,” said Fischer. “The Nia Center is a great partner for us in those efforts because if you want to start a business, want to grow an existing small business, or need help finding a job, this is the place to get the resources you need.”
In late 2016, Louisville Metro Community Services’ FEeD division (Financial Empowerment and economic Development division, which includes the microbusiness program) relocated to the Nia Center. The program joined the existing Small Business Development office, called the Business Clinic, run by Louisville Forward’s Department of Economic Development.
The move allows the departments to work side-by-side with other providers in the community, including the Kentucky Small Business Development Center, SCORE, Kiva and the SBA to bring more opportunities for collaboration that benefit Louisville’s small businesses and entrepreneurs.
“Our Community Services team members are honored to bring our Financial Empowerment and economic Development services into an existing focal point in west Louisville,” said Eric Friedlander, director of Louisville Metro Community Services. “We look forward to being a part of the interactive environment at the Nia Center that builds on the strengths of our community’s residents.”
Partnering with Louisville Forward, Louisville Metro Community Services and KentuckianaWorks, the Nia Center offers a full range of job and career services.
Programs offered at the Nia Center include:
Financing assistance
- The Metropolitan Business Development Corporation, commonly known as METCO, administers small business loans, which include facade, accessibility and gap financing loans. Since merger, more than 150 west Louisville businesses have received loans through this program, leveraging more than $27 million in private investment.
- The Louisville Metro Microbusiness Loan Program supports businesses that employ five or fewer people, including the owner, and offers loans ranging from $500 to $15,000.
- The Business Accelerator Loan, a NEW loan with special criteria is now available to entrepreneurs and small business owners who locate a business in one of the nine neighborhoods of west Louisville.
Business development assistance
- Etsy Craft Entrepreneurship Program empowers makers to find pathways to entrepreneurship through an online marketplace by teaching students about entrepreneurship 101, budgeting, pricing and marketing. Applications are now being accepted for the March session.
- Exploring Entrepreneurship is a free 1-hour introductory workshop for self-employment information and small business resources held the second Tuesday of each month.
- Power-Up Business Course is a free 7-week course designed to provide practical business planning information to participants, and enable them to develop their business idea.
- A 3-part “Government Contracting 101” lunch & learn series coordinated with the U.S. Small Business Association, starts in late March.
Workforce development programs
- The Kentucky Career Center inside Nia offers a full range of job and career services including job-coaching, resume-building, training and job placement. The facility, which placed nearly 50 people in jobs during the last six months of 2016, received extensive renovations and improvements in 2016.
- Kentuckiana Builds training is a 7-week class to prepare people for jobs being created by Louisville’s current building boom with projects like the Kentucky International Convention Center expansion and the new Omni Louisville Hotel.
- The Manufacturing Training and Employment Connection (M-TEC) and the Certified Production Technician (CPT) are 2- and 4-week trainings that give graduates skills and certifications valued by local companies that are hiring, including GE Appliances, Dakkota Integrated Systems, Algood Food Company and many others.
The expanded array of programs will include a new café to be added to the lobby area of the Center. Local small business owner Pam Haines will operate the café, a smaller version of her restaurant, Sweet Peaches, located at 1800 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. The café will offer coffee, tea, sandwiches, salads and a variety of freshly baked pastries, and is expected to open in early summer 2017.
To learn more about the Nia Center, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/nia-center
Credit: Louisville Metro Police
It is no secret that last year Louisville saw a record number of homicides. It seemed as though a new shooting or a new homicide was being reported every day, sometimes multiple times in one day. According to LMPD, Louisville, saw an increase of just under 50% to 117 homicides (123 for the entire county) during 2016, the highest since 1976 (104 total homicides). The majority of victims were black, accounting for a little more than 60% of the total. The majority of the victims were also male, approximately 79%, and more than half of the victims were between the ages of 18 and 34. LMPD was able to make 58 arrests in the homicide cases and the average suspect is the same as the average victim: a black male between the ages of 18 and 34.
Louisville also saw an increase in the number of shooting incidents, 504 compared to 353 last year. 504 shooting incidents is also the highest that has been recorded in the past five years. Of those 504 shootings, 102 were fatal.
Since gun control has been a hot topic the past year due to the election and a small group of Kentucky Mayors asking for the State Legislature to change state law regarding gun control, many of the other violent crime categories seemed to have been ignored by the local news. Here are some of the crime statistics and how they compare to last year:
- Robbery – 1,873, roughly the same as last year;
- Aggravated Assault – 2,921, up from 2,558;
- Rape – 149, down from 163;
- Property Crime – 29,890, up slightly from 28,055;
- Burglary – 5,884, down slightly from 6,229;
- Larceny – 19,808, up slightly from 18,751;
- Motor Vehicle Theft – 4,198, up from 3,075
According to Mayor Fischer, violent crime is “tragically acute in a few specific neighborhoods.” Looking at the maps by LMPD division, all eight divisions have been affected by homicide and shooting incidents. However, it appears that the majority of the homicides, shooting, and aggravated assaults occurred in the 1st (mainly north of Broadway and between I-264 on the east and west) and 2nd divisions (mainly west end). Taken in total, Louisville saw an overall increase by 9% in all violent crimes and a 46% increase in homicides. This appears to be outpacing the national average. Nationwide data is still pending, but as of June 2016, the country saw an overall increase in violent crime by 5% in general, and a 5% increase in the number of homicides when compared to the first six months of 2015. If the data is limited to only cities that are comparable in size to Louisville, there was a 5% increase in all violent crimes and only a 2% increase in homicides.
After averaging about ten homicides per month last year, Louisville has registered 15 homicides as of February 15, which is about the same as last year. While we are not seeing decrease in number of homicides as of now, hopefully, we will not see another record-breaking year.
By a unanimous vote, The Louisville Metro Council last week approved a resolution of support for any future expansion of the National Basketball Association in Metro Louisville.
“There is every indication the NBA may be ready to move forward with expansion team possibilities in the future and I think it is in our best interest to show that our city would fully support any new effort,” says Councilman Dan Johnson (D-21), the primary sponsor of the Resolution.
The resolution highlights the city’s love of the sport of basketball and points out the city has the facilities to accommodate a new NBA franchise. The resolution says the KFC YUM! Center is one of the best arenas in the country and the NBA would be an enhancement to local businesses and the city’s economy.
Last week, Johnson told the Community Affairs, Housing, Health and Education Committee that the recently finalized collective bargaining agreement agreed upon by the NBA and players mentions expansion over 100 times.
“There are many cities that are now beginning to send a message to the NBA that they would be supportive of any future expansion. We should always be prepared to be in the hunt,” said Johnson.
The resolution simply states, “That Metro Louisville would support an NBA/WNBA basketball franchise and the economic development it would bring to our community.”
The resolution passed with bipartisan support.
The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724) arrived in Subic Bay for a brief port call that highlights the strong community and military connections between the Philippines and the United States, February 14, 2017.
The Louisville crew will participate in a series of community service projects and sporting events during the crew’s visit to the Philippines.
The ship will also use the stop to conduct some minor maintenance with the assistance of Filipino companies.
The Philippines is a longstanding treaty ally of the United States with a history of partnership of more than 70 years. The American and Philippine militaries have worked closely together on areas of mutual interest such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter terrorism, cyber security and maritime security.
Louisville is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
Fathers, particularly of young children living in west Louisville neighborhoods, are invited to attend a free dinner and workshop, 502 Fathers Make a Difference, to learn what they can do to promote resiliency in their children.
Rashaad Abdur-Rahman, director of Louisville’s Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, will share tips on promoting healthy family relationships and discuss ways that fathers can help their children overcome adverse experiences, including difficult co-parenting relationships.
The event will be at the Catholic Enrichment Center, 3146 W. Broadway, at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, and includes a free dinner, door prizes and informational booths on employment opportunities, child support and resources for ex-offenders.
Reservations are requested by Feb. 13. Call 502-574-6661.
The event is sponsored by the Healthy Start program of the Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, and by the Office of Multicultural Ministry of the Archdiocese of Louisville. Healthy Start’s 502 Fathers initiative strives to give fathers the tools and resources they need to be involved in the lives of their children and their families.
Mayor Fischer joined Councilwoman Marianne Butler to break ground on Bywater Development Group’s rehabilitation of the former Jacob School buildings in south Louisville. The comprehensive, historic redevelopment will create 58 affordable senior apartments.
The two historic school buildings will be completely rehabbed, producing high-quality, energy-efficient apartments as well as the creation of common areas, activity spaces, a library/computer lab and other program areas.
“The seniors living in these units will not only have a safe, affordable place to live but the community will also be glad to know that these historic buildings will be put back to productive use,” Fischer said. “I am proud to see that the former Jacob School, a landmark in in the neighborhood, will be making an impact in the neighborhood once more.”
“This day has been long awaited. I thank Bywater for their perseverance and the neighborhood for their faith that help was coming,” Councilwoman Marianne Butler, District 15, said. “It has been a long journey that is about to begin its second phase of bringing life back to this building and positive vibes for the neighborhood.”
“We are very excited to be starting the rehabilitation of Jacob School. Without the patience and support of Louisville Metro Government and their commitment to the revitalization of this former community anchor, we would not have been able to achieve this great outcome for the neighborhood and for the future senior residents of this great historic property,” Bywater Development Group President Aaron Burnett said. “We are proud to be a part of bringing this property back to its rightful position of prominence in the neighborhood.”
The sustainable development will feature enhanced accessibility measures including an elevator, step less building entry, ADA compliant routes of movement and fully accessible bathrooms so senior residents can live comfortably and conveniently. New energy efficient equipment, such as EnergyStar appliances and lighting fixtures, energy-efficient HVAC heat pumps, a cool reflective roof, water-saving faucets and showers, high R-Value foam roof insulation, and a unique high-performing storm water management plan will help enhance the affordability of the apartments by keeping utility costs low. The site will also maintain the existing tree canopy, include the planting of new shade trees and add community garden plots.
Funding for the project was made available by Louisville Metro, the Kentucky Housing Corporation, and state and federal historic tax credits.
The Charles D. Jacob Elementary School was built in 1912 and added onto in 1932. The school was an anchor for the neighborhood until its closing in 1991. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.