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June 2021 Volume 1, Issue 4
In this Issue:
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The Bourgard College of Music and Art, located at 2503 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. in the Russell Neighborhood, was recently awarded a $500,000 grant for stabilization and rehab. The stabilization work that will be completed includes tuckpointing, gutter work, roof replacement, interior wall repair and etc. This project is being supported in full by a History of Equal Rights grant from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior.
The Bourgard College of Music and Art was established during Jim Crow-era Louisville when schools were segregated and African American schools were not as well funded as white schools. Despite the laws that blocked African Americans from many opportunities, the Bourgard College continued to thrive from 1930 through the 1960s and helped produce many of Louisville's most popular African American musicians. As schools and educational programs became integrated, attendance and participation lessened. This brought about the school's need for financial assistance to make necessary repairs. The school closed around 2017, and the building became vacant. The Landbank Authority acquired this historically significant structure in 2020 with the intent to help save the building. Unfortunately, the building deteriorated significantly prior to that purchase. This grant will help return this vacant and abandoned building back into a valuable community asset that is rich in history and significance to the African American community the Bourgard College of Music and Art once served.
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Real Estate Coordinators Linette & Porkchop love being out in the community and finding new ways to bring people together. Recently, they set up shop at Club Cedar and The Palm Room and turned an afternoon of vacant and abandoned property closings into a time for networking, idea sharing and celebration of community.
Click here to view a short video on the Develop Louisville Facebook page.
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 Club Cedar
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 Club Cedar
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 The Palm Room
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To view all approved sales at the May 10 Landbank Authority meeting, please click here.
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The Adjacent Side Yard program is where property owners who live next door to a Landbank Authority-owned vacant lot may purchase it for $1.
The Cut it, Keep it program is for property owners on the same block as the Landbank -owned lot.
The New Construction program is for buyers that want to purchase a Landbank-owned lot that have detailed plans for development.
The board approved 4 properties for sale under these programs at the May 10 meeting.
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The Save the Structure program buyers must have proof of funds for renovation.
The Demo for Deed program buyers must have proof of funds for demolition. Properties under both programs may be purchased for $1.
The board approved 3 properties for sale under these programs at the May 10 meeting.
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Solicitations of Interest (SOI) are issued at times when the Landbank acquires property that has the potential for larger-scale redevelopment. Proposals are submitted and reviewed to find the most feasible project to benefit the community.
There are 2 SOIs involving the Landbank and Urban Renewal Commission. They are both located in the California Neighborhood. Click here for more information about these properties.
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The Landbank Authority board approved the sale of 904 S. 22nd St. to Jerri A. Robinson. This property is located in the California Neighborhood and was acquired by the Landbank in 2020 via foreclosure. Jerri A. Robinson plans to rehab the property within 12 months and sell once complete. |
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The Landbank Authority board approved the sale of 2129 Grand Ave. to Grand Avenue Educational Center Corporation. This property is located in the California Neighborhood of Metro Council District 6 and was acquired by the Landbank in 2021 via foreclosure. The Educational Center plans to rehab the commercial structure into a mixed-use building and sell to a qualified buyer. |
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The Landbank Authority board approved the sale of 406 Lawton Ct. to Mirage Properties, LLC. This property is located in Metro Council District 4 and was acquired by the Landbank in 2020 via foreclosure. Mirage Properties plans to sell the property once the rehab is complete. |
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The Landbank Authority board approved the sale of 638 Cecil Ave. to Mirage Properties, LLC. This property is located in the Shawnee Neighborhood of Metro Council District 5 and was acquired by the Landbank in 2020 via foreclosure. Mirage Properties plans to sell the property once the rehab is complete. |
Updates on these properties can be found on the Community Development's Featured Rehab Projects web page.
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In 2019, Louisville Metro foreclosed on the property at 1537 S. 35th St. In February of 2020, it was purchased by Jump Start Realty & Development, LLC under the Landbank Authority's RFP sales program. It was rehabbed and sold to an owner occupant in August of the same year.
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We are pleased to announce the addition of Ell Arnold as a Project Manager in the Office of Community Development. He will be helping to lead community development projects in the Russell, Parkland, and California neighborhoods. Ell attended Indiana State University where he received 2 bachelor's degrees in Unmanned Systems and Mechanical Engineering Technology. Not long after college, he moved to Louisville with his fiancée, and they are currently planning their November wedding. He enjoys exercising, reading, and spending time with family and friends. We are looking forward to working with Ell on current and future projects. |
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Enjoy making a difference in your community? The Office of Community Development is looking for a new team member to work on vacant and abandoned property issues. Position description and application for Real Estate Program Coordinator can be found here.
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The Office of Community Development and the Landbank Authority are continually seeking ways to keep the community informed on upcoming property sales, programs, services, and etc. If you are a member of a group, church, or community organization that would like to have someone speak at a meeting, please reach out to the Office of Community Development at the contact information listed at the bottom of this newsletter. |
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You can download the Louisville Metro 311 mobile app and use it to report vacant properties and any concerns regarding the properties. Metro311 receives complaints through a variety of methods including the app, and submits tickets to the appropriate department. |
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