LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — There's a new spotlight on the food desert in Shively, with a plan to bring grocery stores, housing and safer streets to the area.

Neighbors haven't had access to a major grocery store since the local Kroger shut down in 2016. But city leaders have a plan to bring more fresh food options to the community.

A vacant lot and a faded sign are all that remain of the once busy Kroger. The grocery store's closure meant Shively residents lost their closest option for groceries.

"We need it," said Bronson Horton. "We're helping our neighbors."

A decade after the store's closure, Horton and his neighbors still don't have a supermarket within walking distance.

"We have to go down to PRP or sometimes Valley (Station), which is miles away," Horton said.

Now, without a car, Horton picks up groceries for his neighbors.

"There's a lot of disabled and elderly people that don't have that resource," he said.

It's never a quick trip down the street, but they need to eat.

"Just gotta get it done," said Horton. 

Metro Council is now working on a plan to fix the gaps these residents face. Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright, D-3, said the council has to "work with the community and the business owners."

A new plan would expand housing options, bring more fresh food and create green spaces.

"It's about beautification," said Parrish-Wright. "It's about aging in place."

Horton loves going to the local park to work out, and hopes the plan puts more outdoor gyms around Shively.

"It needs a good fixing. Anything does after a certain period of time after not being touched," he said. "These should be in every park, it would help with health."

When asked if the plan would create more parks in Shively, Parrish-Wright said the goal is to improve existing parks first.

"We're going to increase and improve our tree canopy, and we're going to work together to make sure our parks are functional," she said.

But the focus isn't just on fun, it's about public safety. Parrish-Wright said three residents have died over the past few months because of car crashes.

"We want to reduce that," she said. "That should be none."

The councilwoman hopes to improve roads, TARC access and the city's overall walkability.

"If we're stable together, Shively thrives," she said.

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