Secretary Mel Martinez was in Louisville recently to break ground for 300 new homes being built at the HOPE VI Park DuValle revitalization site. U. S. Representative Anne Northup, Louisville Mayor David Armstrong and other state and local dignitaries joined the Secretary in praising the effort that has transformed a crime-ridden public housing project into a national model for urban redevelopment.

The 300 homes are part of the third phase of the $200 million dollar revitalization project, a collaborative effort between the public and private sector, funded in-part by a $20 million HOPE VI grant. Other HUD funding in the project includes a $10.9 million CDBG grant, a $5 million Section 108 loan and a $4.6 million Economic Development Initiative grant. Some 150 homes were built in the first two phases of the project. The $48.5 million dollar third phase, which also includes apartments and commercial space, is the last phase of homeownership. Completion of the homeownership portion of the project will create a total of 450 new homes constructed at the site.

The Louisville Office's Multifamily Housing Division pose with Secretary Martinez during his recent visit. Division Director Charles Shive is on the back row left.	Manfred Reid, Housing Authority of Louisville board chairperson and public housing resident, applauds the efforts Congresswoman Anne Northup and Secretary Martinez in making the HOPE VI Park DuValle revitalization a success.

(Left to right) Former President of the Louisville Community Development Bank Kelly Downard, Louisville Mayor David L. Armstrong, Secretary Martinez, Lovell Stallworth (expected to be the first homeowner in Phase III), an unidentified bystander, Congresswoman Anne Northup, and Housing Authority Board Chairperson Manfred Reid break ground for the third phase of home ownership at Park DuValle.

Local resident Lovell Stallworth, 58, is expected to be the first homeowner in the third phase of the development. Stallworth said he was attracted to the neighborhood because, "It's a totally different place. It's a real nice neighborhood. You can't beat it." "People now just won't dream about the American dream," said Mayor Armstrong. "They're going to experience it firsthand."