Business leaders in west Louisville respond to nightclub shooting with call for change

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Neighbors who live and work near the site of a weekend nightclub shooting in west Louisville are trying to reclaim their block.

Eight people were shot outside the H20 Lounge near 26th and West Broadway about 1 a.m. Saturday. One man died and another remains in critical condition.

Across from the club is the historic Lyles Mall. Businesses that operate there are trying not to let recent events overshadow the work they are doing to shake the stigma of gun violence.

"We don't want that story of people getting killed in the area that's trying to grow economics," said Paulisa Lewis. She grew up in the west end and felt a calling to launch a business there. "I chose this area because because I'm from this area."

She is the founder of Rise Nursing Institute, where she said you can get a CNA license in two weeks. "I saw a need that I didn't get when I was young."

Greg Sutton opened the Mighty Men of Valor sober living facility in the Lyles Mall. "We have a therapeutic Christ centered, faith-based program where we are trying to bring hope to the hood," he said.

That hope is for a place that seems plagued with violence and a lack of opportunity.

"It's a lot going on on Broadway and 26th. It's been a lot going on since the protest. It's a lot of killing on that corner," Sutton explained.

There are positive things happening in west Louisville. In March, the area welcomed Goodwill's Opportunity Center Campus, which is a $50 Million dollar investment into the area. Norton's West Louisville's Hospital, located on the Opportunity Campus is scheduled to open in November.

"Thank God for the hospital and the Opportunity Center of the Goodwill, right here in the community, and hopefully that will change some things and bring some jobs," he said.

JCPS also announced earlier this month that Passport by Molina would be donating land at 18th and Broadway to build a new middle school.

But all of the progress in West Louisville seems to take a backseat, when news of gun violence erupts.

Lewis thinks that those that are closest to the problem are closest to helping to find a solution. She has a message for Louisville Mayor Craig Greenburg.

"So I want him to get businesses and investors like myself the opportunity to sit at the table monthly, weekly, it doesn't matter, whatever it takes to reduce this gun violence," Lewis said.

Sutton agreed that the area needs more help. "More opportunities, man. More resources. Same resources that they have out there on Hurstbourne Lane. We need right here in the west end."

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