'Neighbors know neighbors' | Leaders in west Louisville neighborhood updating strategic plan | Local News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A west Louisville neighborhood wants to have a say in its future, and some leaders are going door-to-door to find out what exactly the residents need.

This is part of an effort to update the strategic plan for the California neighborhood, which was written in 1982.

"Neighbors know neighbors," Yolanda Walker, California neighborhood resident, said. "Neighbors look out for neighbors. Neighbors call each other."

Walker is on the California Neighborhood Leadership Council. She's part of a team going door-to-door and digitally reaching out to as many neighbors as possible so they can fill out a survey.

Some of the questions leaders are asking include what do you want to see or not see in the neighborhood, what kind of services are needed, and what to do with vacant and abandoned properties.

"There used to be bakeries, there used to be stores, there used to be a pharmacy," Walker said. "Now we just have abandoned buildings, boarded up, vacant lots. All of that neighborhood feel is gone other than the neighbors."

Walker moved to the California neighborhood 35 years ago, which was just a few years after the 1982 strategic plan was released.

The document pointed out a 30-year decline in population and housing plus a lack of good shopping facilities. Since then, more neighbors have moved away or passed on.

"And then when you know what has been there, what people have been there, it's heart-wrenching," Walker said.

She said updating the plan is crucial and feedback from the neighborhood could be key in helping to guide future development.

"We want that development that's going to benefit the developers, and also us," Walker said.

That's why she also supports the recently passed anti-displacement ordinance, which will require assessments for residential developers asking for government funding.

The ordinance is intended to protect renters and homeowners from being displaced, but Mayor Craig Greenberg warned on Thursday there could be "unintended consequences."

"At a time when we need to be making it easier to build more affordable housing across all parts of our city, this ordinance makes it harder to develop affordable housing," Greenberg said. "It creates delays and uncertainties for many affordable housing projects that are being proposed right now — or will be — when we need to be making it easier."

Council member Jecorey Arthur (I-4), the ordinance’s lead sponsor who also represents the California neighborhood, said in an interview that Greenberg’s claims were "bogus."

Back in her neighborhood, as Walker continues getting input for their strategic plan, she still sees the potential because there's one resource that hasn't been lost.

"The warmth of the people," Walker said. "The love and support and the trust of the people."

Walker hopes they can put together the updated strategic plan before the end of next year.