VIDEO/PHOTOS: A pilot program in Louisville helped to decrease structure fires in its inaugural year. The Vacant and Abandoned Property pilot program began in April 2024.
It had a goal of enhancing safety around vacant and abandoned properties in the Urban Service District. The area consisted of the Portland neighborhood, along with a section of the Russell neighborhood. According to the city, the pilot area saw a 63% decrease in the number of structure fires over the past year. โThese numbers reflect more than just statisticsโthey represent lives protected, properties preserved, and neighborhoods made safer,โ Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a news release.
โThe dedication and hard work of our teams have made a measurable difference, and weโre proud to celebrate this milestone with the community.โ Work was conducted to identify and secure vulnerable properties, address community concerns and mitigate blight in the area. 53 abandoned and unsecured structures were identified in the first year.
