New Community Center opens in Davis Park Neighborhood

News release provided by Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

A new community center operated by the Lexington Community Land Trust officially opened today in the Davis Park neighborhood, offering residents expanded access to programs, technology, and gathering spaces.

“We are excited to help open this new community center in Davis Park,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “In late 2023, we first broke ground on this new facility, which was made possible through $2 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, along with support from federal, state and local partners. The community center is part of a larger revitalization effort that includes a new park, affordable housing, and our city’s workforce center, all part of the Newtown Pike Extension project, decades in the making.”

The 3,800-square-foot facility, located at 615 DeRoode St., features a large conference room, a technology room, office space, and a community room/gym for the residents of Davis Park. The facility also serves as the new permanent office for the Lexington Community Land Trust.

“This project is all about accessibility in terms of amenities for our residents located in Davis Park and surrounding areas; accessibility to the Lexington Community Land Trust staff; accessibility for more community events, technology, and more,” said 11^th District Councilmember Jennifer Reynolds. “This amenity, which better serves my constituents, is one long desired that I am thrilled to finally see come to fruition.”

The Lexington Community Land Trust, which was formed in 2008 as Kentucky’s first Community Land Trust, has helped many families purchase affordable homes and access affordable rental properties.

“Opening this community center is just the continuation of a much longer story about this neighborhood and the people who live in it,” said Lexington Community Land Trust Executive Director Jonathan Wright. “But it’s an important part of that story because community has always been central to the resilience of Davis Park. We’re incredibly grateful for everyone who helped make this project a success, and all of us here at the Lexington Community Land Trust are committed to using this space to continue the important work of increasing the supply of permanently affordable housing in Lexington.”

Lexington Community Land Trust is a community-led non-profit organization that works to promote and build permanently affordable housing in Lexington and is led by a board of directors that includes residents of land trust owned properties. “We appreciate all the people who came together to bring this community center into existence,” said Lexington Community Land Trust Board President Byron Mitchell. “As a resident of Davis Park myself, I am excited that our neighborhood has such a wonderful place to gather and that the Lexington Community Land Trust now has a permanent home.”        

To learn more about the Lexington Community Land Trust, visit https://lexingtonclt.org.                    

News release provided by Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

https://www.lexingtonky.gov/news/new-community-center-opens-davis-park-neighborhood