$1 million project to bring new life to Ashanti House in Louisville's Parkland neighborhood

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A historic firehouse and community center in Louisville's Parkland neighborhood will be revitalized.

Metro government allocated $1 million to bring the Ashanti House Cultural Development Center back to its full potential. The funding comes from the West End Community Development investment fund, which is part of the city's budget.

"This building has a long history in the Parkland neighborhood, and I'm excited to work with the community to bring it new life," Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a news release Tuesday.

The city will host meetings with the community to discuss a new name as well as which nonprofits will take on the project.

"To see things come to fruition, to see the development that has came across the city, I always say that the west deserves the best," Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins, D-1, said Tuesday during a news conference announcing the project. "The community wanted to see this building revitalized."

The city said while the project is in the hands of the community right now, it hopes to complete the revitalization project during this calendar year.

A contractor for the project will be discussed during a pre-bid meeting Jan. 14. The chosen contractor will complete the first phase of the project, which the city said is completing leftover work needed to make the property functional.

The second phase will determine a final use for the property after the community meetings are held.

Newly released LMPD footage shows aftermath of deadly UPS plane crash

Kentucky man charged with stealing ex-girlfriend’s car during childbirth

Water main break opens massive hole in Louisville intersection