LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Kentucky Derby is one month from Thursday, and while the attention will be directed to the action on the track, the homes closest to Churchill Downs are also preparing for Derby 150.
Councilwoman Jennifer Chappell, D-15, represents several neighborhoods in the area, including Lucky Horseshoe. The neighborhood only has around 430 homes, but its boundaries include Churchill Downs.
The neighborhood will also be the first planned site for Building Our Blocks, or B.O.B.
"I want people to come into town and see that Louisville really does care about all of its residents, especially those that live around track," Chappell said. "I want people to have a sense of place and that they belong."
Louisville's Lucky Horseshoe neighborhood is the first planned site for the city's Building Our Blocks initiative, a one-day blitz that brings city agencies right to residents. (WDRB photo/April 3, 2024)
B.O.B. is a one-day blitz that brings city agencies right to the Lucky Horseshoe neighborhood. Neighbors can have a security check of their home from Louisville Metro Police, a smoke detector installed by the fire department, and there will be health screenings.
Neighbors can learn about quick home repairs, take their animals to a vaccine clinic, pick up a lead testing kit, and even a gun lock.
There will also be a food truck, and clean-up efforts on the streets and in the alleys. Barbara Hall-Gonzalez said she's looking forward to seeing her neighborhood get the attention it deserves.
"Just bringing everybody together," Hall-Gonzalez said. "There are a lot of neighbors that I don't even really know yet, and I'm looking forward to that."
Alena Balakos helped organize the event, including putting together the B.O.B. bags that were handed out to neighbors during canvassing.
While she went door-to-door, she said residents brought up one thing consistently.
"Trees was a big one," Balakos said. "There are not many trees in this area."
B.O.B. is taking place on Saturday, and during that day, Louisville Grows will plant 50 trees.
Hall-Gonzalez said she's going to spend the next few days preparing her own lawn in time for the big event.
She's also excited about two new speed humps on the street in front of her house.
"Just the volume of traffic has really calmed," Hall-Gonzalez said.
Saturday will bring a fresh look for an old area that will soon have hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Chappell said they're already planning a B.O.B. event in a different neighborhood this fall. That will be revealed this weekend.
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