LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- OneWest, a Louisville nonprofit focused on revitalizing the city's west end, celebrated the opening if its OneWest 526 building in the Russell neighborhood Friday morning.
The newly restored building at 526 S. 18th Street off of W. Broadway, features a space for loft apartments and a spot for retail shops.
Both the building and the street beside it are dedicated to the late J. Michael Brown -- the first African American to be appointed Secretary of the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.
"It's a tremendous honor for myself and my family," said J. Michael Brown's son, Matthew Brown. "My father dedicated himself to public service and helping people. And to see that reciprocated from the city of Louisville, the state of Kentucky, and OneWest -- it's a tremendous honor."
Pictured: this frame grab taken from video dated June 27, 2025, shows a street sign at 526 S. 18th Street honoring the late J. Michael Brown -- the first African American to be appointed Secretary of the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. (WDRB image)
The two-story building now has residential units on the upper level and retail options at the street level.
The renovations were funded in part by a $555,000 loan from the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Some of that money is also being used to pay for transforming the historic Royal Theater property at 1801 W. Broadway into a mixed use building, with businesses on the lower floor and residential units on the upper level, according to previous WDRB reporting.
The projects are part of OneWest's ongoing revitalization efforts in west Louisville.
For more information about OneWest, click here.
Related Coverage:
Louisville nonprofit's construction accelerator program already impacting west end revitalization
Kentucky bill exposes rift between NAACP and West End Opportunity Partnership
2 restaurants opening physical locations in west Louisville, thanks to nonprofit
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All rights reserved.
