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Mayor Greg Fischer joined AARP Kentucky State President Charlotte Whittaker today to celebrate safety improvements at Ninth Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard made possible by the AARP Livable Communities Initiative, which supports community efforts to increase livability and safety for residents of all ages.
The AARP initiative funds quick-action projects that build momentum for change in communities. AARP awarded Louisville $10,550 toward a $15,550 project that improves the intersection in three ways:
- Upgrading crosswalks for greater visibility and pedestrian safety;
- Adding plaza space and benches in front of an existing public art piece in the median;
- And enhancing public art by adding a plaque to accompany Isaac Duncan III’s “Kae Me: The Lesson from the Black Star,” a piece that was erected in the median in 2003.
These improvements at one intersection is the first in a larger plan to reimagine Ninth Street as a safer, more pedestrian friendly corridor and add to the flow of investment into west Louisville, which totals about $1 billion over the past four years.
“Right now, we find that Ninth Street has unsafe pedestrian conditions, underutilized right of way and speeding cars. Our overall goal is to make Ninth Street safer for pedestrians, and the AARP grant is a great kickstart to the work,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “These improvements are part of about $1 billion in investment committee to west Louisville—including Passport Health Plan campus, Republic Bank Foundation YMCA, Beecher Terrace transformation and The Track On Ali.”
“AARP Kentucky is proud to support this community investment in pedestrian safety and making the neighborhood even more walkable,” said AARP Kentucky State President Charlotte Whittaker. “It’s an exciting example of how the AARP Community Challenge ‘quick action’ grant projects are helping make immediate improvements and jumpstarting long-term progress supporting residents of all ages.”
The grant is complemented by many projects along and adjacent to Ninth Street designed to break down this dividing point in our city:
- Dixie Highway Bus Rapid Transit, which will run on Ninth Street when service begins in 2019;
- Quinn Chapel stabilization starting in 2019;
- The Knot, an inviting public art installation at Ninth & Main, debuting in early 2019;
- Phase I of Beecher Terrace, a senior facility, finishing construction in 2019. Phase II, about 100 townhomes and apartments between 10th, 11th, Jefferson and Liberty streets will start in 2019.
- And the extension of River Road west, which will connect to Waterfront Park Phase IV, starting in 2020;
The city has also applied for a BUILD grant to implement the Reimagine 9th Street corridor plan, which envisions an attractive, vibrant and safe connection between west Louisville and downtown. BUILD is the current iteration of TIGER, the grant that made has made improvements on Dixie Highway possible. The U.S. Department of Transportation will announce BUILD grant recipients by the end of the year.
Ninth Street from River Road to Broadway averages 142 crashes per year, and 255 jaywalkers per day. The city expects pedestrian and bike activity to increase along Ninth with the transformation of Beecher Terrace and the new Bus Rapid Transit line.
To learn more about the Reimagine 9th Street plan, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/reimagine-9th-street
Mayor Greg Fischer announced that Louisville Metro Government has been awarded a $10,550 AARP Community Challenge grant to begin making tactical improvements on Ninth Street, specifically at Muhammad Ali Boulevard.
The grant is part of the AARP Livable Communities Initiative, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and rural areas to be livable and safe places for residents of all ages. The grant funds quick action projects that build momentum for change in communities to improve livability.
Announcement of the grant comes on the same day as a march for equity and justice designed to acknowledge the impact that racial segregation in the past has had on communities all over the nation. The march, which runs from downtown to Ninth Street, is planned as part of the Presbyterian Women’s triennial national gathering in Louisville.
Mayor Fischer, who is speaking at the march, welcomed the AARP grant.
“My administration is committed to breaking down the 9th Street divide by bringing more city and private sector investment than west Louisville has seen in decades,” he said. “This grant is a wonderful boost to our plan to make Ninth Street safer, more accessible and more attractive for residents on both sides of Ninth Street to travel and cross. I am very excited to receive this grant and get started on implementation.”
Louisville Metro Government will use the grant to improve the intersection of Ninth Street & Muhammad Ali Boulevard in three ways:
- Improving crosswalks—Crosswalks will be upgraded from current conditions to crosswalks with greater visibility. According to the Federal Highway Administration, these types of crosswalks can reduce vehicle-pedestrian collisions by nearly 50%.
- Adding street furniture—Plaza space and benches will be added to the median in front of an existing public art piece. The “Reimagine 9th Street” plan calls for places for residents to sit along Ninth Street.
- Enhancing Public Art—A plaque will be added to accompany the public art piece for telling its story and brining a historical perspective.
All grant funded projects will be completed by December 2018.
In addition to this grant, a “Reimagine 9th Street” plan, to permanently transform Ninth Street from River Road to Broadway, is underway. Mayor Fischer’s FY19 budget includes $180,000 for its formal design. For more information on “Reimagine 9th Street,” please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/reimagine-9th-street
Mayor Greg Fischer, Metro Council members and other leaders today announced the opening of free tax preparation sites across Louisville that will provide federal and state income tax assistance to eligible residents.
Louisville Asset Building Coalition’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, and AARP Tax Aide programs provide trained, IRS-certified volunteers to offer free tax services at more than 20 sites across the city. The service is available to individuals and families who earned less than $64,000 in 2017.
VITA and AARP volunteers will also help determine if residents are eligible for the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), a refundable federal tax credit for low- and middle-income working individuals and families. Eligibility for the EITC is based on income, the number of family members and other criteria, such as the amount of a families’ credit. Working families who earn about $53,000 or less may be eligible, with average credits last year more than $2,400.
“For many working families, free help with taxes and guidance in qualifying for the EITC can be a game-changer,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “That’s money that can go toward buying or fixing a car, paying tuition, paying off bills or making long-deferred household purchases.”
Last year, the VITA campaign and Louisville AARP sites processed more than 14,000 returns, adding more than $19.7 million to the local economy, including nearly $6 million in Earned Income Credits to residents.
Appointments are recommended for VITA free tax assistance service and can be made now by calling (502) 305-0005 or scheduling online at https://louisvillekyvita.cascheduler.com.
The VITA free tax preparation sites are located at:
- Americana Community Center, 4801 Southside Dr.
- Bates Community Development, 1228 Jackson St.
- Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place, 1411 Algonquin Pkwy. (Self-file only beginning Jan. 29)
- Edison Center , 701 W. Ormsby Ave., Suite 201
- First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road
- Louisville Urban League, 1535 W. Broadway
- Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway
- Portland Promise Center, 1831 Baird St.
- Salt and Light Community Development, 3025 Gerald Dr.
- Sun Valley Community Center, 6505 Bethany Lane
- United Crescent Hill Ministries, 150 State St.
- Wesley House Community Services – 5114 Preston Hwy.
For a complete list of VITA locations, including mobile sites, as well as hours of operation, visit http://labcservices.org call Metro United Way’s 211 help referral service.
Also visit the website at information about a free service for those interested in filing their own taxes online. Starting Jan. 29, two software packages — MyFreeTaxes and Turbo Tax Freedom Edition — will be available for those who meet eligibility.
In addition to the VITA sites, AARP Tax Aide’s mission is to serve any person comes through the door, with special attention to those 60 and older.
AARP sites will open Feb. 1 at the following locations:
- Buechel Park Baptist Church, 2403 Hikes Lane
- Central Government Center, 7201 Outer Loop
- Clifton Christian Church, 131 Vernon Ave.
- East Government Center, 200 Juneau Dr.
- Iroquois Branch Library, 601 W Woodlawn Ave.
- Jeffersontown Senior Center, 10631 Watterson Trail
- Lyndon Baptist Church, 8025 New LaGrange Rd.
- Portland Branch Library, 3305 Northwestern Parkway
- Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Hwy.
For a full AARP schedule and listing, including mobile sites, visit http://www.aarp-tax-aide-lou.org or call (502) 394-3443.
To help preparers accurately determine EITC eligibility and prepare returns, individuals should bring:
- Picture ID and Social Security cards for everyone listed on the return
- Copy of 2016 tax return with all attachments and schedules
- W-2s and 1099s from your employers
- Other 1099s for interest, dividends, state tax refund or other income
- 1095 for health insurance
- 1098 for education credit, plus detailed financial statement from the school
- Bank account number and routing number for direct deposit as well as savings account number (if applicable)
- Child care information, including Provider ID and actual amounts paid
- Summarized list of other income/expenses for those who itemize or are self-employed
- Additional tax information that may be required
Visit http://labcservices.org/ or http://www.aarp-tax-aide-lou.org for more information about the required documentation.
The work of the Louisville Asset Building Coalition and the AARP Tax Assistance Program is made possible by Metro United Way, Louisville Metro Government, the IRS, the AARP Tax-Aide Foundation and dozens of other partners.
Attorney General Andy Beshear joined AARP of Kentucky and members of the faith-based community to launch a partnership to protect local congregations and the communities they serve from con artists and the latest scams.
The Interfaith Travel Series Scam Alerts, hosted by Beshear’s Office of Senior Protection, will hold events at more than 20 different locations around the state with members of the faith-based community.
Beshear launched Scam Alerts last year as the state’s first direct messaging service that notifies Kentuckians of financial schemes by con artists to steal money or a person’s identification.
“One of my top priorities is to protect Kentucky families, especially our seniors, from the emotional and financially devastating effects that scams and financial exploitation can cause,” Beshear said. “I am proud to be partnering with AARP of Kentucky and congregations across Kentucky who want to protect their members and their communities.”
Beshear said the scam awareness events give his office the opportunity to partner with area faith-based communities and churches, and work with senior Kentuckians one-on-one through local senior ministries.
Joining Beshear at today’s announcement were: the Rev. Steve Weaver, senior pastor at Farmdale Baptist Church in Frankfort; the Rev. Ron Loughry, executive director, Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries in Louisville; the Rev. Dr. Valerie Washington, senior pastor, Hughlett Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Louisville; and Charlotte Whittaker, of Hartford, who serves as the AARP Kentucky State President.
“I am honored to be included in the efforts of the Office of Senior Protection to help the seniors of Kentucky,” Washington said. “The Hughlett Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church family is comprised of approximately 55 percent senior citizens. On a personal note, it was the Senior Protection Department in Texas that rescued my father from scam artists. For months they were taking his checks, leaving him with nothing. Lastly, due to the technology today, many of our senior citizens are targeted due to their lack of technical skills. Therefore, it behooves us to take an active part in their private and personal lives, preventing them from becoming victims. It also helps them to become more cognizant of the scams and con artists who prey on our communities.”
“One of the chief responsibilities of government is to protect its citizens,” Weaver said. “I’m thankful that the Office of the Attorney General is providing this service to the seniors of the Commonwealth which offers information to protect them from those who would prey upon them.”
“I am encouraged and excited that our Attorney General Andy Beshear, through his Office of Senior Protection, is taking this initiative to reach out across the Commonwealth, engaging in dialogue with faith communities around the concerns of older adults,” Loughry said. “My organization, Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries, along with all the community ministries that are part of the Association of Community Ministries in the Louisville Metro area, have long been concerned for and provided services for the older adult population.”
“One of AARP’s missions is to help people outsmart con artists before they strike,” Whittaker said. “Our goal is to help Kentuckians safeguard against identity theft and scams so they can keep their hard-earned money. We look forward to working with Attorney General Beshear and faith groups across the Commonwealth as we fight to end fraud and scams, and keep Kentuckians money where it belongs – in their pockets.”
Beshear is working to bring new solutions and ideas to address scams because of the severe harm they are having on Kentucky families. Just last year more than 3 million consumers were conned out of $765 million across the country. Seniors nationwide lose nearly $37 billion a year to elder financial exploitation.
To date, more than 100 nonprofit and retail organizations have joined Beshear’s initiative as a Scam Alerts partner, including Kroger, AARP of Kentucky, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, the Better Business Bureau and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Kentuckians have recently received Scam Alerts on the Sweetheart Scam, IRS Scam, Seasonal Employment Scam and a scam targeting veterans.
Beshear hosted the first Interfaith Scam Alerts event at Shelby Christian Church in Shelbyville earlier this month.
“Protecting our seniors against fraud, scams and financial exploitation is a priority,” said Laura Witt, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Anderson, Shelby and Spencer counties. “General Beshear’s Interfaith Initiative brought that message to our local citizens. Thank you General Beshear and the Office of Senior Protection for educating our seniors and caregivers about Scam Alerts. Scam Alerts is a great way to protect yourself from predators. Thanks to the Attorney General’s Office of Senior Protection for bringing it to our community.”
Currently there are 25 congregations participating in the 2017 Interfaith Travel Series Scam Alert. The Kentucky Baptist Convention is partnering with the Office of the Attorney General on this initiative. The congregations are:
- Allen Baptist Church: Prestonsburg
- Beargrass Christian Church: Louisville
- Beaver Dam Baptist Church: Beaver Dam
- Blooming Grove Baptist Church and St. John United Methodist Church: Hopkinsville
- East Somerset Baptist Church: Somerset
- Eastwood Baptist Church: Bowling Green
- Farmdale Baptist Church: Frankfort
- First Baptist Church Bracktown: Lexington
- First Christian Church: Frankfort
- Flemingsburg Baptist Church: Flemingsburg
- Hughlett Temple A.M.E. Zion Church: Louisville
- Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish: La Grange
- Kentucky Refugee Ministries Inc.: Louisville
- Lone Oak First Baptist Church: Paducah
- New Covenant Baptist Church: Louisville
- New Hope Christian Center: Hazard
- Memorial United Methodist Church: Elizabethtown
- Sand Spring Baptist Church: Lawrenceburg
- Shelby Christian Church: Shelbyville
- Shiloh Baptist Church: Lexington
- St. Bernard Parish: Louisville
- St. Elizabeth Training and Education Center: Erlanger
- St. Stephen Church: Louisville
- The Temple AIBS: Louisville
The next event in the series will be at 10 a.m. March 16 at the Allen Baptist Church in Prestonsburg. For dates, times and locations of each upcoming event, please click here. Congregations interested in participating in the series may contact Beshear’s Office of Senior Protection at 502-696-5300.
Kentuckians may sign up for Scam Alerts by texting the words KYOAG Scam to GOV311 (468311), or enroll online at ag.ky.gov/scams and select text message or email alert.
Mayor Greg Fischer, Louisville Asset Building Coalition and AARP announced the opening of free tax preparation sites yesterday, starting as of Monday, Jan. 23, that will provide federal and state income tax assistance to eligible residents.
“Every hard-working Louisvillian should be able to benefit from all tax credits that apply to them, and by offering this free assistance we can make sure that happens,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “This is money they can use to start a savings account, buy a car, get braces for a child, pay for books and college tuition — or start a college tuition fund for their children. It’s huge for that family and huge for our community.”
Metro Councilwoman Cindi Fowler of District 14 is a longtime VITA volunteer and champion of the program.
“I have greatly enjoyed the nine years I have spent with VITA to help families prepare their tax returns,” Fowler said. “We work hard to ensure that we are maximizing their returns, allowing them to reinvest that money locally and boost our economy.”
Louisville Asset Building Coalition’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, and AARP Tax Aide programs utilize trained, IRS-certified volunteers who offer free tax services at more than 20 free sites across the city. The free service is available to individuals and families who earned less than $64,000 in 2016.
Appointments are recommended for VITA free tax assistance service and can be made now by calling (502) 305-0005 or scheduling online at https://louisvillekyvita.cascheduler.com.
Starting Monday, the VITA free tax preparation sites are located at:
- Americana Community Center, 4801 Southside Dr.
- Bates Community Development Center, 1228 S. Jackson St.
- Louisville Urban League, 1535 W. Broadway St.
- Portland Promise Center, 1831 Baird St.
- Salt & Light Community Development Center, 3025 B Gerald Dr.
- Sun Valley Community Center, 6505 Bethany Lane
- Wesley House Community Services, 5114 Preston Highway
For a complete list of VITA locations, including mobile sites, as well as hours of operation, visit http://labcservices.org/ or call Metro United Way’s 211 help referral service.
Also visit the website at https://www.labcservices.org/index.php/free-tax-filing-at-labc-services for information about a free service for those interested in filing their own taxes online. Starting Monday, two software packages — MyFreeTaxes and Turbo Tax Freedom Edition — will be available for those who meet eligibility.
In addition to the VITA sites, AARP Tax Aide’s mission is to serve any person comes through the door, with special attention to those 60 and older. AARP sites will open Feb. 1 at the following locations:
- Buechel Park Baptist Church, 2403 Hikes Lane
- Central Government Center, 7201 Outer Loop
- Clifton Christian Church, 131 Vernon Ave.
- East Government Center, 200 Juneau Dr.
- Iroquois Branch Library, 601 W Woodlawn Ave.
- Jeffersontown Senior Center, 10631 Watterson Trail
- Lyndon Baptist Church, 8025 New LaGrange Rd.
- Portland Branch Library, 3305 Northwestern Parkway
- Shively Municipal Building, 3920 Dixie Highway
- Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Highway
For a full AARP schedule and listing, including mobile sites, visit http://www.aarp-tax-aide-lou.org or call (502) 394-3443.
VITA and AARP volunteers will help determine if residents are eligible for the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), a refundable federal tax credit for low- and middle-income working individuals and families. Eligibility for the EITC is based on income, the number of family members and other criteria, as is the amount of your credit. Working families who earn about $53,000 or less may be eligible, with average credits last year more than $2,400.
Collectively, tax refunds filed by Louisville residents last year through the VITA campaign and AARP sites processed over 20,000 returns, adding over $19 million to the local economy, including more than $6 million in Earned Income Credits to residents.
To help preparers accurately determine EITC eligibility and prepare returns, individuals should bring:
- Picture ID and Social Security cards for everyone listed on the return
- Copy of 2015 tax return with all attachments and schedules
- W-2s and 1099s from your employers
- Other 1099s for interest, dividends, state tax refund or other income
- 1095 for health insurance
- 1098 for education credit, plus detailed financial statement from the school
- Bank account number and routing number for direct deposit
- Child care information, including Provider ID and actual amounts paid
- Summarized list of other income/expenses for those who itemize or are self-employed
- Additional tax information that may be required
Visit http://labcservices.org/ or http://www.aarp-tax-aide-lou.org for more information about the required documentation.
The work of the Louisville Asset Building Coalition and the AARP Tax Assistance Program is made possible by Metro United Way, Louisville Metro Government, the IRS, the AARP Tax-Aide Foundation and dozens of other partners.
