LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The West End Opportunity Partnership is hearing from Portland residents for the first time about what they want to see in their neighborhood.
The nonprofit organization is responsible for revitalizing all nine of Louisville's west end neighborhoods.
The group has promised to reinvest 80% of tax dollars collected in a special taxing district known as TIF.
That percentage of tax money raised in the district is returned to that area. It means residents will soon see an increase in taxes and those who own property and need assistance qualify for a special loan to pay the taxes, but some residents still have unanswered questions.
"The refund back to the residents if their property evaluations go up and they were not prepared to answer that question at all," Richard Meadows, vice president of the Portland Neighborhood Association, said.
He has an idea of how it's supposed to work but still has questions.
"When the money comes to us I have a lot of questions about what it's going to be spent on," he said.
Councilwoman Donna Purvis said she was expecting more details after the meeting. She's concerned for elderly residents who may not understand the process.
"I'm still trying to figure this out I mean I've heard so many different things about the amount of taxes assessed," Purvis said.
So far, the West End Opportunity Partnership has received $30 million in funding – $20 million from community donations and Metro Government and $10 million in state funding.
"If housing value goes up that means the money coming back to the community for an investment goes up that's why it's important to have these meetings," Laura Douglas, interim president and CEO of West End Opportunity Partnership, said.
Although residents I spoke to weren't too satisfied with the way the meeting went. Some think this initiative could be great for west Louisville.
"I think it's a good idea that some of the tax money be returned to the west end to do some good, question is how will it be spent?"
The West End Opportunity Partnership will have its next meeting in Park DuValle on Feb. 13 at the Southwick Community Center.
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