The New West Lou Economy
Transforming a former chemical plant into a vibrant center of community
The master plan converts the former Rhodia plant into a Black-led mixed-use district that grows local wealth, culture, and day-to-day convenience inside a 66-acre framework. An 11th Street civic spine reconnects Park Hill and Algonquin, sets addressable blocks, and organizes plazas, sotrefronts, and housing. Governance and leasing are designed for community ownership, so neighbors hold real stakes, and early phases reset how the city sees West Lou as a place to live, invest, and start a business.
Services
Planning
Development
Activation
Operations
Timeframe
2023-2024
Client
Re:land Group
Location
Louisville, KY
A Framework for Connection
A clear street and block plan unlocks a main street that reads as Black-owned and community-run. The 11th Street spine ties schools, churches, and transit to new parks and retail frontages. Safe crossings, shade, and service alleys keep heavy logistics out of the pedestrian realm. The result is a legible framework that supports everyday life and signals to local entrepreneurs that this is a place to open, hire, and grow.
Existing Site: Northwest Facing View
Site Context
Existing Site: Southeast Facing View
Designing for Everyday Life
Three five-story mixed-use buildings establish massing, frontage rhythm, and ground-floor bays sized for local tenants. Stoops, porches, and deep sidewalks make comfortable edges for families and elders. Corner anchors hold community services, while mid-block bays support small Black-owned retail and makers. Materials and landscape nod to the site’s industrial history, and the plan bakes in affordable commercial, shade, and lighting so the street feels safe, proud, and open late.
Built by the Community
Phase 1 delivers housing and ground-floor space that operate under a resident-led cooperative model. The co-op stewards programming, vendor mix, maintenance, and small-tenant recruitment, with on-ramps for sweat equity and paid roles. Short pilots verify safety, logistics, and layout, then the final street section, plazas, and storefronts lock in what works. Revenue stays local, capacity grows inside the neighborhood, and perception shifts from a disinvested neighborhood to a Black-led district with momentum.
This plan turns a closed plant into a complete neighborhood and a new Black-led local economy, with streets, plazas, and storefronts that change how West Lou is seen and who benefits.
Project Impact
