FAQs

Q: What is the origin of the West End Opportunity Partnership?

A:  The 2020 calls for social justice spurred new conversations in Frankfort. Two elected officials representing the West End, State Senator Gerald Neal and State Representative Pamela Stevenson brought legislators from other parts of the Commonwealth to the area west of Ninth Street for discussions with neighborhood and business leaders. In February 2021, Neal, Stevenson, Kentucky State Senate President Robert Stivers, State Senator Morgan McGarvey, and State Senator Julie Raque Adams held a press conference at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage where they announced legislation that was the result of the extensive dialogue. Bills forming and providing initial funding for the West End Opportunity Partnership was subsequently passed by the General Assembly in March and signed by the Governor in April.

Q: What is the West End Opportunity Partnership?

A: The Partnership is a significant economic investment initiative launching in the West End to overcome challenges stemming from the intergenerational effects of racial prejudice and segregation, which have hindered progress for African Americans in Louisville. The goal is a big step toward financial empowerment and creating multigenerational wealth in the West End.

Q: How is the Partnership funded?

A: Louisville Metro has pledged $10 million. If $10 million is raised from private sources, a state match of $10 million will be appropriated to complete the initial funding round.

For the next 20 years, 80% of new tax revenue collected in the development area will stay in the West End. The Partnership Board, comprised of neighborhood residents and appointees from community organizations, will manage the proceeds and make strategic economic development investments in the West End.

Q: What will the West End Opportunity Partnership do to fight gentrification?

A:  The West End Opportunity Partnership includes new, proactive initiatives to help stabilize homeownership. A primary goal of the Partnership as written into statute is to prevent displacement of current residents due to increasing neighborhood home values.

Homeowners and their heirs will also be provided a refundable tax credit for any increase in their annual property tax bill over the assessment level of January 1, 2021 for the 20 year period. The Partnership board can provide funds for home improvements for existing homeowners.

Q: What are other possible uses for the funds?

A:  Loans to existing and new businesses to help expand economic opportunity for residents of the West End, environmental cleanup, financing for more affordable rental units and owner-occupied homes, and other areas as determined by the board through community input.

Q: How will the community have a voice in the process?

A: Parkland, Shawnee, Park Duvalle, Russell, Portland, California, Chickasaw, Park Hill, and Algonquin, the nine neighborhoods of the West End, will each be represented on one of the nine board seats. Louisville Urban League, Simmons College, NAACP Louisville, OneWest, UofL, Volunteers of America Mid-States, Louisville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, an appointee of the Mayor, an appointee of Metro Council, an appointee of the Governor, and a bank and foundation with significant local will also hold seats. The law lays out that a majority of the board members reflect the racial majority of the residents living in the West End.

In addition, the board will hold public forums and take input from the community, which will help inform what projects the board pursues.

Q: What are some of the requirements to ensure the board operates with integrity and transparency?

A: The West End Opportunity Partnership must send biennial reports to the Kentucky General Assembly. There is also a required participation agreement between Louisville Metro and the Partnership.  State law requires that all board members go through finance, equity, and community engagement training.  State conflict of interest disclosure provisions are also applicable to the Partnership.

Q: What makes up the West End Opportunity Partnership development area?

A: Parkland, Shawnee, Park Duvalle, Russell, Portland, California, Chickasaw*, Park Hill, and Algonquin**

*(includes adjacent unincorporated area)

**(includes Hallmark)