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This is how community leadership and economic development should move together. Watch our story.

About / Informing neighborhood development and redeveloping the 17-acre site of the former Rhodia chemical plant into a culturally rich, socially just, environmentally restorative live, work, and play destination.

The City of Louisville awarded the site of the former Rhodia chemical plant to the Re:land Group as part of a Solicitation of Interest to return the underutilized site to community-informed active use. As part of the redevelopment process, Re:land Group launched a multi-step community engagement process in partnership with BKP Strategies, Center for Neighborhoods and Yard & Co to create solutions for place-based economic opportunity at the Rhodia site and neighboring developments. Through these efforts, the community has begun shaping the vision of an Economic Village and laying the groundwork for cooperative ownership with a long-term commitment to sustainability and equity. The resulting ongoing project and accomplishments outlined below represent a model for government, developer and community collaboration that facilitates truth-telling and centers the voices and priorities of Black and Brown communities, leading to action and accountability. And there is much more to come...

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2025 - What's Next?
From Leadership to Ownership
(Part 3 continued)

Key goals:

Focus areas: advocacy, education, quality of life, and economic empowerment, particularly for Parkway Place residents.

Integrate equity and sustainability statements into development planning.

Fundraising for Construction and operation of semi-permanent Economic Village for long-term income and co-ownership benefits.

Community Engagement: Committees continue their work, increasing outreach efforts in Spring 2025.

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Part 3 - 2024

From Leadership to Ownership

Accomplishments:

Laying the groundwork: Finding empowerment in change

Prioritizing Longevity: Sustainability Development Requirements

Maintaining Ownership: Equity Development Requirements

Creating a unified voice: A new Neighborhood Association

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Part 2 - 2023
Developing how we want to lead

 
Accomplishments:

Economic Village Activation Plan

Environmental Remediation of Site

Community-Inspired LITHC Plan

Culturally-Responsive Master Plan

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Part 1 - 2022
Forming, storming, norming, performing

Accomplishments:

Health Equity Learning Academy

Planning Synthesis

Data Dashboard

Photovoice Exhibit

"This is the first truck leaving Rhodia with contaminated soil. A historic and important milestone in this journey. An environmental injustice being removed. Your legacy my friends. COAB is the spark that will breathe new generational paths for those who come behind you. This road will be long and hard but your presence and courage will be the cornerstone of transformation. I am proud to walk with each of you!" - Jim

"We were among the last to walk that contaminate site, and will be among the first to walk the remediated land." - Bruce

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Remember this photo taken on October 3rd, 2023

Part 1 & 2 Archive

Questions explored through personal truths and experiences

  • What is power?

  • Where do you see power in your community?

  • Who has power?

  • How is power used?

  • How do we shift power to community?

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