YouthBuild groundbreaking kicks off $1.5M expansion in Smoketown
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Phase two is underway for YouthBuild, after a celebration to expand the Smoketown facility's construction packs the neighborhood.
YouthBuild's expansion is an 8,000-square-foot space located in the 800 block of S. Preston Street. The $1.5 million investment will allow the non-profit group to roughly double the number of young people, ages 16-24, to which they provide education, job training and leadership programs.
"Kids can dream all day long, but if there aren't resources and support around them, then they struggle to make it happened," said Lynn Rippy, YouthBuild Executive Director.
Studio Kremer Architects will help with the new facility and provide a transition from the existing building (phase 1) into the additional space. The second building will face College Street, with a 19-century commercial corner building, similar to the ones found throughout the historic neighborhood.
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YouthBuild's intention to curb the violence and end poverty with education and job services, all while building a skilled youth workforce. The new building will house workforce development training rooms and an expanded kitchen.
Already on the site are a greenhouse, gardens and wood workshop tended to by youth.
The expansion is expected to be finished early next year.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and Rep. John Yarmuth spoke on the vitality of the program to the city.
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