Louisville Begins $25M 9th Street Project to Reunite City Divided Neighborhoods

Louisville has officially begun the "Reimagine 9th Street" project, a $25 million initiative aimed at removing a longstanding physical and symbolic divide between West Louisville and the rest of the city. The first phase involves converting one-way streets, including Muhammad Ali Boulevard and Chestnut Street, into two-way streets to slow traffic and improve safety in areas with a high number of crashes, such as near Zion Baptist Church, which has experienced multiple accidents involving reckless drivers. Mayor Craig Greenberg emphasized that the project goes beyond road reconstruction to reunite neighborhoods, enhance accessibility, and foster a safer, more unified city. The project also addresses historical inequities from urban renewal efforts that devastated Black business districts, with plans for green spaces, public art, and safer pedestrian zones in later phases. Local leaders, including Reverend Gerald Joiner of Zion Baptist, welcome the changes as critical for community safety and healing. The first phase is expected to be completed by summer 2026, with subsequent efforts focusing on transforming 9th Street itself into a more pedestrian-friendly and community-oriented space.