West End Neighborhoods

The West End Opportunity Partnership is a significant economic investment initiative launching in the
West End to overcome challenges stemming from the intergenerational effects of racial prejudice and
segregation, which have hindered progress for African Americans in Louisville.

The West End of Louisville comprises 9 neighborhoods– Algonquin, California, Chickasaw, Park DuValle, Park Hill, Parkland, Portland, Russell, and Shawnee. Each makes up a piece of the whole, bringing unique communities and histories that have shaped Louisville as a city just as much as the city has shaped the West End, and are defined by the resilience and ambition of the residents who call the West End their home.

The historical trauma inflicted upon the West End neighborhoods has led to a disparity between how the West End is seen and what the West End contributes to Louisville. Centuries of setbacks, white flight that led to urban decay, and racially-motivated underdevelopment have categorized the area as a food desert, left roads and infrastructure overlooked and in disrepair, and seen dozens of empty properties sitting in areas prospective renters and home buyers will not consider.

Some people look at the West End and wonder exactly what happened, and why existing residents choose to keep their homes, businesses, and communities instead of uprooting themselves to find a “better area.” The answer to those questions lies in each street, each family, each business, and each empty property that used to be full of life and at the center of a booming business district. The West End was and still is a cultural hub that catered to a thriving population of Louisvillians and immigrants of every color. It has raised several notable names and its history has played a crucial part in Louisville’s evolution. Generations have seen the streets in times of peace and protest, and remain loyal to the neighborhoods they call their home. Learn more about each neighborhood below.

Algonquin
Neighborhood

ALGONQUIN Neighborhood in West End of Louisville, KY

With a focus on the building blocks of a good community, Algonquin has a growing presence in Louisville. From small, local businesses, restaurants, and other services that strengthen the West End to convenient routes to downtown and southern Louisville, Algonquin presents all the comforts of a close-knit community with the urban opportunity for developmental success.

California
Neighborhood

CALIFORNIA Neighborhood in West End of Louisville, KY

Located in the center of the West End, California was once the epicenter of a cross-country railroad shipping district. Now, it is the epicenter of revitalization, partnering with big-name companies like the Brown-Forman Corporation and the Louisville Metro Government to take steps towards the residents’ short-term, mid-term, and long-term economic goals.

Chickasaw
Neighborhood

Chickasaw Neighborhood in West End of Louisville, KY

With the sprawling Chickasaw Park available, as well as the Shawnee Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library that lives just inside its borders, Chickasaw is a great neighborhood for families, pet-owners, and nature-enthusiasts. Its residents have a history of fighting for their rights, their air quality, and their place in the West End, and have been one of the most resilient communities that Louisville has to offer.

Park DuValle
Neighborhood

Park DuValle Neighborhood in West End of Louisville, KY

Named after Lucie DuValle, the first female principal of a high school in Louisville, the Park DuValle neighborhood has been undergoing a unique transformation for the last 25 years that has steadily attracted economic growth, mixed-income residents, and additional community development.

Park Hill
Neighborhood

Park Hill Neighborhood in West End of Louisville, KY

With several projects currently being led by Park Hill residents, this neighborhood has plans for holistic community spaces already in the works and more on the way. Its future employment and economic opportunities, health and wellbeing spaces, housing, education, community empowerment, and other miscellaneous services and amenities that will benefit the community have been instrumental in setting an example of community-led change.

Parkland
Neighborhood

Parkland Neighborhood in West End of Louisville, KY

Parkland is a neighborhood with not only a history of commercial success, but a future of it as well. With several entrepreneurs bringing life back into the Historic Parkland Business District and bringing families back into the houses, there is a lot of potential for this Louisville neighborhood.

Portland
Neighborhood

Portland Neighborhood in West End of Louisville, KY

As the spearhead of an economic and artistic renaissance, Portland is the site of several pre-Civil War buildings being put onto the National Register of Historic Places and even more developments in the community, which feature art galleries, educational heritage venues, and healthcare hubs.

Russell
Neighborhood

Russell Neighborhood in West End of Louisville, KY

Bordering the “9th Street Divide,” Russell has become the focal point of programs bridging the gap between the West End and downtown Louisville. Full of black-owned businesses that are providing crucial services and entertainment to the residents of the West End as well as downtown Louisville, Russell is a cornerstone player in the fight against infrastructural racism.

Shawnee
Neighborhood

Shawnee Neighborhood in West End of Louisville, KY

Known for the Olmstead Park System flagship Shawnee Park, the neighborhood of Shawnee offers beautiful 20th-century homes, blocks lined with old growth trees, and a growing supply of community resources that support the long-term success of community residents.

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