RESOLUTION NO. ______, SERIES 2022
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A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE PLAN FOR USE OF $3.5 MILLION IN BOND FUNDS FOR A COMMUNITY GROCERY.
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SPONSORED BY: COUNCIL MEMBERS JECOREY ARTHUR
AND BILL HOLLANDER
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WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identified Smoketown as a "food desert;" and
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Atlas, a food desert is an area where a significant number or share of residents lives more than a mile from the nearest supermarket; and
WHEREAS, the State of Food study by the University of Louisville found this problem is compounded by the fact that a striking 51% of households in East Downtown lack vehicle access; and
WHEREAS, the Vision Smoketown survey report showed participants identified vacant/abandoned structures and lots as the top problem in the Smoketown neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, the Vision Smoketown survey report showed that a grocery store was the top business and community resource that residents said they would like to see in Smoketown; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 072, Series 2020 appropriated $3,500,000.00 in bond funds for a community grocery in an underserved area of Louisville Metro, contingent upon approval of the plan for the grocery by Metro Council; and
WHEREAS, Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness issued a Request for Proposal on March 10, 2022, and thereafter selected Louisville Association for Community Economics, Inc. and Louisville Community Grocery, L.C.A. for further negotiation; and
WHEREAS, Louisville Association for Community Economics has obtained ownership and possession of the real property located at 400 Finzer Street, Louisville, Kentucky, as the site of the community grocery; and
WHEREAS, Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, Louisville Association for Community Economics, Inc., and Louisville Community Grocery, L.C.A. have negotiated a Letter of Intent setting out a plan for the community grocery project, including timelines for completion, which is set out as Exhibit A, attached hereto.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: The Letter of Intent setting out the plan of Louisville Association for Community Economics, Inc. and Louisville Community Grocery, L.C.A. to construct a community grocery at 400 Finzer Street, Louisville, Kentucky, with such project to be overseen by Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, is hereby approved.
SECTION II: This Resolution shall become effective upon passage and approval or otherwise becoming law.
_________________________________ ________________________________
Sonya Harward David James
Metro Council Clerk President of the Council
_________________________________ ________________________________
Greg Fischer Approval Date
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Michael J. O’Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
By: ______________________________________
R-155-22 Acceptance of plan for community grocery.docx (APS)
EXHIBIT A