During the 1940s and ‘50s, Walnut Street, now Muhammad Ali Boulevard, was the center of African-American culture and economy in Louisville. Referred to as “Louisville’s Harlem,” the vibrant business and entertainment district was alive with restaurants, nightclubs, theaters, homes and retail establishments. Sadly, most of what Louisville’s Russell neighborhood celebrated was erased due to urban renewal during the 1960s.
Gresham Smith helped Louisville Central Community Center (LCCC) solidify their ideas for revitalizing this once-flourishing corridor into a master plan document—THE BLVD (Boulevard) Corridor Study & Design Guidelines. Serving as a voice for LCCC and the local community, the master plan establishes a strategic vision and framework for the Muhammad Ali Boulevard corridor to make sure the overarching vision for a creative, vibrant and historically sensitive corridor remains intact as new development arises.
mile, mixed-use development
districts
master plan document