LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new middle school is coming to west Louisville—the first in almost a century.
In an announcement on Friday, Molina Healthcare said it will donate its 20-acre property, located at 18th and Broadway, to Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS).
The district plans to build what will become the home of Dr. J. Blaine Hudson Middle School.
It's inspiring for Hudson Middle parent Nefertia Mason.
"Showing our young people that they are well-deserving of brand-new and sparkling things. Changing the narrative of west Louisville and having corporate investors pour into west Louisville just as much as members of the community is an amazing thing," she said.
And that narrative is changing with hundreds of millions of dollars coming to west Louisville for new businesses, hospitals and schools.
"And I get after decades of neglect, that that is not nearly enough, but it's a good start. And today shows that we are going to continue on this trajectory—investing in these neighborhoods, creating good jobs for this community," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.
“This exciting project is another example of our commitment to the students and families in west Louisville,” Marty Pollio, superintendent of JCPS, said. “We appreciate Molina’s support in moving us toward our goal of building more than 20 new schools in the next decade, providing bright, modern places for engaged teaching and learning.”
Molina bought the property at 18th and Broadway in fall 2022, and the company held a series of listening sessions so they could gather input from community leaders, local stakeholders and government partners. Officials said the company did this to make sure that future developments "aligned with the needs of residents in the area and Kentuckians in surrounding communities."
“Molina Healthcare and JCPS are showing what Team Kentucky spirit is about,” the governor said. “By working together, we are helping Kentuckians access health care, better serving our students and boosting public education in west Louisville. Congratulations to everyone involved; we look forward to cutting the ribbon on these amazing projects.”
Officials said JCPS will also conduct a developer “request for proposal” to construct a new administrative building at the site.
JCPS has agreed to allocate a portion of the development for Passport through its One Stop Help Center.
Molina will renovate an existing building, during JCPS' development of the property, which officials said will become its temporary member and community engagement location, the One Stop Help Center. Molina expects that a permanent center will be included in the new development.
“The land donation by Molina Healthcare to JCPS shows the great things we can achieve for our community when we work together,” Mayor Craig Greenberg said. “The new school and One Stop Help Center will further empower residents across west Louisville and beyond, further moving our city in a new direction toward a safer, stronger and healthier future for everyone.”
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