$18.6M sought from Louisville fund to transform empty Starks Building into artist lofts

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The vacant Starks Building in downtown Louisville, long an eyesore at the corner of Muhammad Ali and Fourth Street, could soon be transformed into affordable housing for artists.

The state allocated a total of $100 million for six Louisville projects, including a conversion project that revitalizes vacant buildings.

Grant Goodwine, a local painter and illustrator, currently uses part of his small apartment as an art studio, but says space is limited, with rental studios starting around $400 a month. He believes the proposed development will provide a much-needed creative space for the arts community.

"You’ll find your people and get inspiration in one form or another when you're around other creative people," Goodwine said. "It's about fostering creativity."

Developer Jeff Underhill is seeking $18.6 million in funding to get the project off the ground. He stressed the importance of city support to make the Starks project a reality.

"We really need to have the city agree that this is an important thing to happen," Underhill said. "The cost of the Starks building unrenovated would be much greater for the city than participating with the dollars they have from the state."

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg acknowledged that several projects are vying for funding but assured support for the Starks Building proposal.

"We will be there to support the Starks building," Greenberg said. "The ownership and development group need to secure financing for the entire project, and then the city will fill that gap to make sure it can move forward."

The proposal has garnered support from several local arts organizations, including the Louisville Ballet and the Fund for the Arts. Louisville Downtown Partnership emphasized the city’s broader need for more housing options.

"We are already behind, and we were behind before COVID," said Rebecca Fleischaker, executive director of the Louisville Downtown Partnership. “We want different housing types, including apartments, condos, and garden homes, at varying price points.”

The Starks Building is just one of several vacant or underutilized properties in downtown Louisville. Others, including the Kentucky Home Life Building, 500 West Broadway, and the Courier-Journal building.

The artist lofts proposed for the Starks Building would offer rents approximately $400 below market rates, with free studio space for residents.

Goodwine believes the location of the building, close to downtown’s tourist and business districts, would provide exposure for the local arts scene.

"Downtown is where all the tourists and business people end up," Goodwine said. "It will get a lot more eyes from people outside of Kentucky."

City officials have said they expect to make announcements about funding decisions in the coming weeks.

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$18.6M sought from Louisville fund to transform empty Starks Building into artist lofts