♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "INSIDE LOUISVILLE" -- WHERE WE INTRODUCE YOU TO THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS THAT MAKE UP KENTUCKY'S LARGEST CITY.

I'M YOUR HOST, KELSEY STARKS.

THIS WEEK WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK "INSIDE LOUISVILLE'S" WEST END, WHICH SEEMS TO BE ON THE CUSP OF A RENAISSANCE.

THE NINE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT MAKE UP THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE HAVE SEEN AN INFUSION OF MORE THAN $1.4 BILLION OF INVESTMENTS IN THE PAST 10 YEARS.

COMPANIES HAVE LOCATED NEARLY THREE DOZEN NEW PROJECTS HERE INCLUDING A BUSINESS PARK, CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP, CHEF'S SPACE AND A $100 MILLION OPPORTUNITY CAMPUS FROM GOODWILL INDUSTRIES.

AND INCLUDING THE FIRST HOSPITAL TO OPERATE IN WEST LOUISVILLE IN 150 YEARS.

WE'LL TAKE YOU INSIDE THAT NEW PROJECT IN A MOMENTS BUT FIRST TO UNDERSTAND THE FUTURE OF THE WEST END, IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND IT'S PAST AND FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT BOTH, WE WELCOME EVON SMITH, PRESIDENT OF 1 WEST, A LOCAL NON-PROFIT COMMITTED TO ELEVATING OUR ENTIRE CITY THROUGH COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT GROWTH IN THE WEST END.

WELCOME TO EVON SMITH, THE C.E.O.

OF 1 WEST, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

THERE IS SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO DEVELOPMENT IN THE WEST END.

BUT I WANT TO START WITH THE HISTORY OF THIS AREA OF LOUISVILLE.

GIVE US A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF HOW WE GOT HERE.

>> SURE.

SO, OF COURSE, WE ARE DEALING WITH 350 BLOCKS THAT ARE CONTIGUOUS BLOCKS OF THE WEST END, AND IT REPRESENTS OVER 70,000 PEOPLE.

THERE HAS BEEN A NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING PLANTS THAT HAVE EXISTED IN THE AR AREA PRIOR TO 1970.

FROM 1970 TO ABOUT TODAY, YOU HAVE SEEN MAD EXODUS OF THE MANUFACTURING.

YOU'VE SEEN THE INFLUX OF NEW TECHNOLOGY AND DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR SOCIETY; HOWEVER, IN THE WEST END, WE HAVE NOT NECESSARILY BENEFITED FROM ALL OF THE ON BOARDING OF THOSE NEW INDUSTRIES, AND SO AS A RESULT, YOU'VE SEEN SOME CHALLENGES IN EDUCATION, CHALLENGES IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CHALLENGES IN LABOR FORCE READINESS AND A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS.

AND SO WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH IN THE WEST END NOW IS UNDER MAYOR GREENBURGH, THERE IS A NEW ATTENTION BEING PAID TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

ONE WEST IS THE ONLY ENTITY SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE WEST END.

AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE A BOTH AND, RIGHT?

IN ORDER TO RENOVATE AND HAVE A RENAISSANCE OF THE AREA, HAVE YOU TO HAVE SOMEBODY FOCUSED ON THE VACANT AND ABANDONED PROPERTIES, NOT ONLY THOSE RESIDENTIAL BUT ALSO THE COMMERCIAL AND THAT'S WHERE WE COME IN.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME TO OUR KNOWLEDGE, WE ARE THE ONLY ENTITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE NON-PROFIT REALM, SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT IT USED TO BE THE CENTER OF LOUISVILLE, I'M TALKING WAY BACK.

IT USED TO BE FULL OF BUSINESSES AND VIBRANT PLACES TO GO OUT AND SO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THERE TO BRING US TO THIS POINT.

>> SO WE HAD A MAD EXODUS OF THE MANUFACTURING BUSINESSES, AND WE ALSO HAD-- WE ARE AFFECTED BY RED LINING AND OTHER SOCIETAL BARRIERS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE OR CHALLENGES, SPECIFICALLY IN THE POLICY IN LAW AREA.

HOW THOSE LAWS WERE BEING APPLIED, WELL INTENTIONED MAYBE, HOWEVER THE WAY THEY WERE APPLIED IN MANY CASES IMPACTED THE WEST END IN A NEGATIVE WAY.

AND A LOT OF THE FAMILIES THAT ARE LOCATED THERE NOW ARE MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILIES.

AND SO WE ARE LOOKING AT THE IMPACT TO THEM AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE WEALTH AND EQUITY OF THE EAST END OF LOUISVILLE VERSUS THAT OF THE WEST END, YOU SEE A SIGNIFICANT GAP IN EQUITY AND RESOURCES.

ANOTHER BIG CHALLENGE WE HAVE IS TRANSPORTATION.

AND SO THE ISSUES AROUND TRANSPORTATION HAVE AFFECTED THE WEST END AND THE FAMILY'S ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO WORK IN OTHER AREAS NOW THAT A LOT OF INDUSTRY IS NO LONGER IN THE WEST END.

BUT TO YOUR POINT, THE CIRCUS REFLECT A VIBRANT ECONOMY ON WEST BROADWAY SPECIFICALLY AND YOU SAW FOLKS VERY MUCH ENGAGED IN BUSINESS AND LABOR FORCE, YOU KNOW, WAS THERE AND LIKE I SAID, MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILIES.

A LOT OF THEM WERE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES LIVING RIGHT THERE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> SO YOU ALL ARE ABOUT BRINGING THAT COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT THERE.

TELL US HOW ONEWEST WAS CREATED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ONEWEST WAS STARTED BY THE 2014 BINGHAM FELLOWS CLASS, A PROGRAM OF LEADERSHIP LOUISVILLE AND OUR BOARD MEMBERS STARTED IN 2014 AND DEVELOPED ONEWEST IN 2015.

AND AS A RESULT, THESE WERE LEADERS THAT CAME TOGETHER FROM ALL ACROSS LOUISVILLE.

AND AS A RESULT, WE ARE NOW WHAT YOU SEE TODAY, WHICH IS EIGHT-MEMBER STAFF WITH MULTIPLE CONSULTANTS AND PART-TIME FOLKS AND INTERNS FROM LOCAL UNIVERSITIES, INCLUDING SIMMONS COLLEGE AND WE ARE TRYING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RENAISSANCE IN THE RIGHT WAY, NOT JUST DOING GREAT BUILDING DEVELOPMENT AND LOOKING AT VAGUE VACANT AND ABANDONED PROPERTIES, TRYING TO CONTROL PROPERTIES BY ABSENTEE LANDLORDS THAT DON'T CARE ABOUT THE WEST END.

WE ARE TRYING TO ADD VALUE IN THE SPACES AND PLACE.

OUR MAIN FOCUS IS TO ENSURE THAT WEST END RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES BEN BENEFIT FROM THE WORK AND PARTICIPATE IN THE WORK BEING OFFERED SO WHAT YOU WILL FIND IS A LOT OF OUR PROJECTS HAVE A LOT OF MINORITY CONTRACTORS AND PEOPLE FROM THE WEST END THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EITHER DO THE PROJECTS OR PARTICIPATE IN THOSE PROJECTS.

>> THAT'S INCREDIBLE.

A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP THERE AND SO MANY PEOPLE THERE TAKE SUCH PRIDE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

YOU ALL HAVE RAISED MORE THAN $10 MILLION IN COMMERCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THOSE SPECIFIC PROJECTS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ONE I HAVE TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE.

SO UNDER THE DIRECTION OF PAUL COSTELL, OUR BOARD MEMBER AT THE TIME, WE WERE ABLE TO RAISE THAT $10 MILLION AS HE HEADED THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN.

THOSE PROJECTS WE WERE ABLE TO COMPLETE, IF YOU ARE ABLE TO DRIVE DOWN SOUTH 18th STREET NOW, WILL YOU SEE WHAT WE CALL THE ROW HOUSES.

SO THOSE RIGHT NOW REPRESENT AN ACCELERATOR THAT WAS CREATED FOR CHEFS THAT COME OUT OF CHEF'S SPACE AND COMMUNITY CHEFS THAT NEED TO HAVE A SPACE FOR THEIR RETAIL EXPERIENCE.

AND SO WE ARE TRYING TO GIVE THEM AT LEAST A TWO-YEAR RESIDENCY IN THOSE SPACES.

THOSE PROJECTS WERE COLLECTIVELY OVER $850,000 TO DO.

THOSE WERE PREVIOUSLY HISTORIC, VACANT ABANDONED AND BURNED OUT HOMES AND/OR A HOME THAT WAS VACANT AND OWNED BY A LOCAL ORGANIZATION.

AND WE WERE ABLE TO TRANSFORM THEM WITH A LOCAL CONTRACTOR, WHO-- BAILEY CONSTRUCTION, THERE FIRST COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCE.

BUT WE WERE ABLE TO USE A LOT OF LOCAL CONTRACTORS TO DO THE TRANSFORMATION.

AND NOW WE HAVE OVER $800,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE IN THOSE PROJECTS.

>> IT IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST RAISING MONEY FOR THESE PROJECTS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> YOU ALL ARE INVOLVED AND FOCUSED OCCULT VAITING THAT LOCAL TALENT.

AS YOU SAID, EMPOWERING ENTREPRENEURS.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT AND HOW YOU ALL DO THAT IT IS A SNOWBALL EFFECT.

IT ONLY TAKES A FEW BIG PROJECTS AND MORE WILL COME.

>> EXACTLY.

I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS 25 YEARS.

THE AREAS WE HAVE BEEN DOING THE WORK, WE BELIEVE THE HIGH LEVEL OF INVESTMENT THAT WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE 234 COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DOES FOSTER AND BREED ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT.

AND WE WORK IN TANDEM WITH THE CITY, THE STATE AND OTHERS TO TRY TO MAKE SURE.

PRIVATE BUSINESS, OTHER NON-PROFITS, TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THAT AREA.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS ALSO WITH NATIONAL SUPPORT, FINANCIAL SUPPORT, WE ARE NOW RUNNING WHAT IS CALLED THE PLAN ROOM, WHICH IS ANOTHER ACCELERATOR.

AND SO WE ARE ABLE TO DIRECTLY INVEST IN THOSE MINORITY CONTRACTORS TO HELP THEM GET SKILLS AND TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGY SPECIFICALLY THAT CAN HELP THEM GET INTO PROJECTS AND/OR HELP THEM EXPAND THEIR COMPANIES THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING.

SO WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR ACCOUNTING SERVICES, LEGAL, MARKETING AND BIDDING AS AND ESTIMATING.

SO THERE ARE THINGS THAT BUT FOR THE PLAN ROOM, MANY OF THOSE CONTRACTORS WOULD NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO SCALE THEIR BUSINESSES.

>> THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK FOR MANY, MANY DECADES, I WOULD SAY ABOUT REVITALIZING THE WEST END AND WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS AND THAT.

A LOT OF BROKEN PROMISES, A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT HAVE FALLEN THROUGH.

WHY DO YOU THINK NOW IS DIFFERENT?

AND HOW YOUR APPROACH IS DIFFERENT FROM ANY IN THE PAST?

GLEL.

>> WELL, ONE, I THINK EXPERTISE.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT.

WE KNOW WHAT IT TAKES.

THE OTHER THING IS BUILDING TRUST IN COMMUNITY.

WITH THE BROKEN PROMISES, WE HAVE HAD A LONG ROAD IN TERMS OF TRYING TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE FEEL THAT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY GOING TO COME TO FRUITION.

WE DO HAVE THE PROJECTS BLARING RIGHT THERE ON WEST BROADWAY THAT HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED; THAT ARE A CONSTANT REMINDER TO THE COMMUNITY OF BROKEN PROMISES.

BUT WE WANT TO BE AS COLLABORATIVE AS POSSIBLE, LIKE IN THE CASE OF THE NORTON PROJECT.

THE NORTON HOSPITAL.

NORTON IS A VERY GOOD PARTNER AND HAS BEEN WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH US TO HELP MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE CONTRACTORS FROM THE COMMUNITY, CONTRACTORS FROM OUR PLAN ROOM WORKING ON THEIR PROJECT AND THEY HAVE BEEN INTENTIONAL ABOUT THAT EFFORT AND WE ARE TRYING AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO TRY TO ADVOCATE FOR THOSE CONTRACTORS ON OTHER PROJECTS IN THE CITY AS WELL BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT THAT IT IS NOT A ONE OFF.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THIS INVESTMENT CONTINUES TO AFFORD THEM THE ABILITY TO BE ON OTHER PROJECTS AND THAT THE WEALTH CREATION IS ABLE TO HAPPEN AND THEN THE ECONOMIC VIBRANCY HAPPENS FOR ALL.

>> AND THAT JUST FOLLOWS ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER AND YOU SEE PROJECTS, TOO, NOW, LIKE SPORTS IN TERNING CENTER THAT HAS OPENED AND AS YOU MENTIONED, THE WEST LOUISVILLE HOSPITAL.

WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR YOU TO SEE SOME OF THESE PROJECTS ACTUALLY COME TO FRUITION AND THEN, IN TURN, FOSTER MORE DEVELOPMENT THERE.

>> FOR US, IT'S LESS ABOUT THE PROJECT AND MORE ABOUT DID THOSE ENTITIES UTILIZE, IN THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES.

AND DID THEY MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY GOT A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THOSE PROJECTS.

WE LOVE THE BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS BUT IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT EVERY PROJECT IS INTENTIONAL ABOUT UTILIZING THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY'RE LOCATED, NOT JUST ON THE CONSTRUCTION, BUT ON THE GOODS AND SERVICES THAT THEY PROCURE.

AND SO WHEN WE HAVE ENTITIES LIKE NORTON, THAT SHOW THEIR LEVEL OF COMMITMENT, WE THINK THEY'RE AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS, THAT THEY CAN FOLLOW THAT.

AND SO IT'S, YOU KNOW, NOT JUST WHO IS BUILDING IT, WHO DESIGNED IT?

WHO IS UTILIZING IT FROM THE COMMUNITY TO DO THAT AND ALSO WHAT PRODUCTS ARE YOU GOING TO FEATURE?

ARE THEY PRODUCTS THE COMMUNITY ASKED FOR?

ARE THEY GOODS AND SERVICES THAT THE COMMUNITY SAID THEY NEED?

AND WE'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND A LOT OF IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM RESIDENTS AS TO WHAT IT IS THEY NEED AND THAT IS, I THINK, THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF EVERY PROJECT THAT'S COMING.

WHEN YOU HEAR THE CITY TALKING ABOUT BILLIONS OF INVESTMENT, WE JUST ASKED A QUESTION.

IS THAT INVESTMENT UTILIZING LOCAL COMMUNITY IN EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENING?

>> AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ONE OF THOSE PROJECTS, OF COURSE, IS NORTON WEST LOUISVILLE HOSPITAL AND SO WHEN WE COME BACK, WE ARE GOING TO TALK WITH THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF THE NEW HOSPITAL, CORENZA TOWNSEND.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ CORENZA TOWNSEND STARTED HER CAREER ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO WITH NORTON AS A NURSE.

>> I DID.

>> AND THEN ABOUT FIVE OR SIX YEARS AGO IS WHEN YOU INITIALLY PITCHED THIS IDEA TO NORTON'S C.E.O.

RUSS COX.

TELL US ABOUT HOW THAT HAPPENED.

>> RUSS WAS APPOINTED C.E.O.

NEWLY, CO-WORKER OF MINE AND LONG TIME FRIEND OF MINE APPROACHED HIM AT A LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE.

WE WENT TO A CONFERENCE AND SAID WE WANT TO DO MORE FOR THE COMMUNE.

WE WANT TO DO MORE AS PART OF OUR EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUPS AND FOUND A SMALL OPENING WHEN HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO THE RESTROOM.

WE WAITED HIM OUT.

HE CAME OUT OF THE RESTROOM AND WE SAID HEY, RUSS, WE HAVE AN IDEA WE WANT TO PITCH TO YOU AND OF COURSE WHAT IS THE WORST HE CAN SAY, NO?

HE DID NOT.

HE SAID HERE IS MY SECRETARY'S NAME AND EMAIL.

EMAIL HER, PUT ON A TIME TO TALK TO ME AND LET'S SEE WHAT YOU GOT.

WE MET WITH HIM ALL OF MAYBE TWO WEEKS LATER.

HAD TO DO A PROPOSAL IN THAT SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME AND HE LISTENED TO WHAT WE HAD TO SAY, NEVER LOOKED AT THE PROPOSAL.

WAITED UNTIL WE GOT DOWN PITCHING OUR STORY, HE WENT THROUGH AND LOOKED AT IT.

AT THE END OF THAT PROPOSAL, WOO SAID AND WE WANT TO BUILD A HOSPITAL IN WEST LOUISVILLE.

FAST FORWARD TO NOW, YOU KNOW, WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF A GREAT COMMUNITY EVENT SEVERAL YEARS IN A ROW.

HE MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT SAID WE ARE BUILDING A HOSPITAL IN WEST LOUISVILLE.

IT HAPPENED THAT FAST.

IT HAPPENED THAT FAST.

>> IT IS AN INCREDIBLE STORY.

WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR YOU NOW, JUST SEEING YOUR IDEA ACTUALLY HAPPEN AND NOW YOU ARE THE HEAD OF THE HOSPITAL.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK ME THAT.

IT'S SURREAL.

IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT'S A REALITY BUT WHEN YOU SEE THE BUILDING AND YOU SEE THE IMPACT AND YOU TALK TO THE PEOPLE, IT JUST REALLY BRINGS IT TO LIGHT.

IT MAKES IT EXCITING.

WE ARE HERE, WE ARE DOING IT IN 2024 LIKE MY DREAM IS COMING TRUE.

>> IT IS.

IT IS CRAZY.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PROMISES AND A LOT OF BROKEN PROMISES FROM BIG PROJECTS FROM THE WEST END.

WE HAVE HEARD A LOT OF DEALS HAPPENING, A LOT OF DEALS FALLING THROUGH.

WHY IS THIS PROJECT DIFFERENT AND WHY IS THIS HAPPENING NOW.

>> I CAN'T SPEAK ON ANY OF THE OTHER PROJECTS BUT I'LL TELL YOU, IT REALLY STARTS WITH THE STORY THAT I TOLD YOU.

IT STARTS WITH SOMEBODY WHO IS COMMITTED AND WHO IS-- IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO STAND BEHIND THE COMMUNITY IN THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING.

THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR HEALTHCARE.

AND WHILE WE DO GREAT HEALTHCARE, THERE WAS A GAP THERE, RIGHT, ACCESS TO CARE IS A REALLY BIG THING FOR RUSS, OUR C.E.O.

AND FOR OUR ORGANIZATION.

AND SO BRINGING AN IDEA LIKE THAT, HAVE YOU TO CARRY IT FORWARD.

IT'S WHAT MAKES SENSE.

IT'S WHAT'S RIGHT.

SO THE SUPPORT OF THE C.E.O.

AND AN ORGANIZATION LIKE NORTON HEALTHCARE BEHIND YOU IS THE RIGHT THING TO.

>> J HAS IT TAKEN 150 YEARS FOR A HOSPITAL TO COME TO THE WEST END OF LOUISVILLE?

>> HEALTHCARE IS HARD.

IT'S NOT AN EASY THING TO DO IN ANY OF THE AREAS THAT WE SERVE ALREADY AND TO COME TO AN AREA THAT IS UNDER SERVED AND HAS BEEN UNDERSERVED 450 YEARS IS A LOT OF WORK.

HAVE YOU TO BUILD TRUST.

A LOT GOES INTO IT I CAN'T SPEAK FOR ANYBODY ELSE BUT THE LEVEL OF COMMITMENT YOU HAVE TO HAVE WHETHER THE IT BE PERSONALLY OR FINANCIALLY TO BE ABLE TO PULL THAT OFF.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO.

YOU HAVE TO BE COMMITTED AND REALLY BE FOR YOUR PEOPLE IN ORDER TO DO IT.

>> AND IT WAS A COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY.

YOU WENT TO THE COMMUNITY FIRST AND ASKED THEM, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN THIS HOSPITAL?

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HEARD FROM THAT THAT ARE NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED IN THE REAL PROJECT?

>> YEAH, SO WE BROKE GROUND, WHAT, LAST SUMMER?

BUT THE PROJECT REALLY STARTED TWO YEARS BEFORE THAT.

AND SO TO YOUR POINT, THAT RESEARCH IS REALLY WHAT MATTERS.

AND I DON'T MEAN JUST THE DATA.

DATA IS IMPORTANT.

FORTON IS A DATA-BACK THE ORGANIZATION.

WE ARE REALLY ABOUT LOOKING AT WHAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE AND WHAT MOVES THE NEEDLE.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHAT DOES THE COMMUNITY WANT?

WHAT DID DO OUR PEOPLE WANT TO SEE, WHAT DO THEY WANT TO EXPERIENCE AND WHAT SERVICES DO THEY WANT IN THE HOSPITAL?

THOSE ARE THE QUESTIONS WE ASKED.

LOCAL ART.

THEY WANTED GREEN SPACE.

THEY WANTED SOMEWHERE TO GATHER.

SO A COMMUNITY ROOM.

WE KNOW WEST LOUISVILLE IS A FOOD DESERT.

WE WANTED TO ADDRESS THAT IN THE BEST WAY WE COULD.

THOSE ARE ALL THE THINGS WE HEARD BACK.

DIFFERENT SERVICES.

$68,000 PLUS PEOPLE IN WEST LOUISVILLE.

MOST OF THEM ARE WOMEN OF CHILD BEARING AGE.

WOMEN SERVICES IS GOING TO BE KEY.

THINGS THAT MAKE SENSE AND LISTENING TO THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY, PUT THOSE TOGETHER AND THAT'S HOW WE CAME UP WITH WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO AT WEST LOUISVILLE.

>> HOW THIS IS HOSPITAL GOING TO BE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER NORTON FACILITIES?

WHAT ARE THE GOALS HERE?

>> I LIKE TO CALL IT HOSPITAL WITH NO WALLS.

WE WILL HAVE WALLS.

WE HAVE A BUILDING.

WE DO HAVE WALLS.

>> FIGURATIVELY.

>> FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING, A HOSPITAL WITH NO WALLS.

THAT MEANS HOLISTIC MEDICINE N. NOT IN THE WAY THAT WE ARE SITTING IN A CIRCLE AND SINGING KUMBAYA, I MEAN TAKING CARE OF THE WHOLE PATIENT.

OTHER RESOURCES THEY NEED.

HEALTHCARE IS IMPORTANT BUT IF YOU CAN'T TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILY AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, HEALTHCARE FALLS BY THE WAYSIDE AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE SEEN HERE.

MAKING SURE WE'RE EDUCATING PATIENTS, HAVE WRAP AROUND SERVICES, CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH FOOD RESOURCES.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH DARE TO CARE WHERE WE WILL HAVE A PANTRY INSIDE THE HOSPITAL.

WE KNOW THAT'S AIR NEED.

WE HAVE THE COMMUNITY ROOM TO TEACH OTHER EDUCATIONAL THINGS, OTHER RESOURCES THAT WE BRING IN AND OF COURSE IT IS THE NORTON HEALTHCARE GOOD WILL OPPORTUNITY CAMPUS SO WE HAVE A WHOLE SLEW OF RESOURCES RIGHT NEXT DOOR THAT WE'LL COLLABORATE WITH THEM AS WELL.

>> HOW IMPORTANT WAS IT TO HAVE SOME OF THESE OTHER PROJECTS ALREADY UNDER WAY, LIKE THE NORTON SPORTS AND LEARNING CENTER, THAT WAS KIND OF A CATALYST FOR BRINGING MORE.

AND AS THEY SAY, IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME, RIGHT?

>> IT'S FURTHER PROVING THE POINT OF, IF YOU GIVE PEOPLE RESOURCES, IF YOU PUT RESOURCES IN THE AREA, OTHER THINGS WILL COME.

OTHER THINGS WILL GROW.

I MEAN THE TRACK HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL, NO THE JUST WITH SPORTS IN LEARN CAN, AS IT'S CALLED, BUT WE HOST EVENTS THERE.

SO WE KNOW THAT ECONOMICALLY AND PHYSICALLY IT BRINGS PEOPLE TO THE COMMUNITY.

THIS CAMPUS IS ONLY GOING TO JUST, GOING TO BLOW IT UP.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU ARE HEARING FROM THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE?

A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE HAVE BEEN THERE FOR GENERATIONS.

THEY TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THEIR COMMUNITY, WHERE THEY ARE FROM, WHERE THEIR FAMILY IS FROM.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'VE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY THERE?

>> I THINK IT'S A LITTLE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

MOSTLY GENERALLY SPEAKING IT IS ALL GOOD FEEDBACK.

PEOPLE ARE EXCITED, RAMPED UP, WANT TO BE PART OF IT, MAKE SURE IT SUCCEEDS.

THERE IS HESITANCY THERE FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

THERE ARE TRUST ISSUES.

WE CAN SHOW YOU BETTER THAN WE CAN TELL YOU.

WE SHOW UP.

WE CONTINUE TO SHOW UP.

YOU CAN'T GET RID OF US.

WE STARTED TWO YEARS AGO AND PEOPLE ARE LIKE IT'S YOU AGAIN.

YES, IT'S ME AGAIN.

I HAVE A WHOLE TEAM BEHIND ME.

WE ARE COMING BACK.

WE'RE NOT GOING AWAY.

THERE IS MIXED EMOTION, FEAR, UNCOMFORTNESS WHICH IS TO BE EXPECTED BUT THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT YOU HOLD ON TO THE TIGHTEST AND SAY I GET IT.

WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY.

WE ARE GOING TO BE HERE.

WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM US AND WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU?

>> WE HEARD EARLIER ABOUT HOW THE CONSTRUCTION ITSELF IS IMPORTANT TO INVOLVE A LOT OF LOCAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES AS WELL AS THE SERVICES PROVIDED THERE.

IT'S A COMMUNITY EFFORT.

>> NOT ONLY FOR THE FOLKS THAT ARE WORKING ON THE CONSTRUCTION SITE, BUT PARTNERING WITH OTHER BUSINESS, WHETHER IT BE MINORITY BUSINESSES OR LOCAL TO THE COMMUNITY BUSINESSES.

AND WE'VE SEEN OTHER PROJECTS DO THAT.

THIS ONE IS A LITTLES BIT DIFFERENT.

GETTING CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AND DEALING IN THAT WORLD CAN BE DIFFICULT.

THERE IS A LOT OF, WE'LL CALL IT RED TAPE.

AND SO INSTEAD OF JUST SAYING, HEY, WE WANT TO PARTNER WITH MINORITY BUSINESSES OR BUSINESSES THAT ARE IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE TOOK IT A STEP FURTHER AND WE STARTED WORKING WITH OTHER PROGRAMS IN THE CITY AND ALSO BUILDING OUR OWN PROGRAMS AROUND SAYING HEY, HOW DO WE HELP PEOPLE GET THE PAPERWORK THAT THEY NEED.

HOW DO WE HELP THEM, YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD?

THAT'S OUR FAVORITE WORD, EQUITY RIGHT?

HOW DO WE MAKE THIS AN EQUITABLE SPACE SO PEOPLE QUALIFY TO BID ON THESE PROJECTS?

IT HAS BEEN A SUCCESS.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO DO IT.

DO I EBT-- I DON'T WANT TO GIVE YOU A NUMBER BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A CAP ON HOW MUCH MINORITY PARTICIPATION WE WANT.

AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

WE HAVE EXCEEDED BY AT LEAST 10 TO 12% OF THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO PUSH FOR EVEN HIGHER.

>> THAT GIVES A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP, RIGHT?

>> YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

AND THERE IS A PROGRAM AS WELL, WHERE WE BRING IN FOLKS WHO WORK ON THE JOB SITE AND THE IDEA IS THAT WE PAIR THEM WITH THOSE LARGER VENDORS SO THAT THEY HAVE ONGOING JOBS AND RESOURCES AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES WELL AFTER THIS HOSPITAL IS DONE.

SO WHETHER IT BE ON OTHER NORTON HEALTHCARE PROJECTS OR OTHER LARGER PROJECTS AROUND THE CITY OR THE REGION.

>> AND SO NOW YOU HAVE BEEN NAMED CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF THIS HOSPITAL.

WHAT IS THAT LIKE FOR YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY GOING TO BE GOING INTO THIS?

>> TO BE A SERVANT LEADER.

I SAY IT'S A FANCY TITLE FOR, DON'T YOU MESS THIS UP.

PEOPLE ARE DEPENDING ON YOU.

SO I SAY THAT JOKINGLY, BUT THAT'S A BIG TORCH TO CARRY, YOU KNOW, I'M LEADING BY EXAMPLE.

THERE IS A LOT OF LITTLE GIRLS AND BOYS WATCHING ME.

I LOOK LIKE THEM AND SO THAT'S A HUGE EXAMPLE TO SET.

BUT, AGAIN, TO BE A SERVANT LEADER AND NOT ONLY ME, BUT MY LEADERSHIP TEAM AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO WORK AT THIS HOSPITAL, THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO-- I CALL THEM THE A TEAM.

THE PEOPLE WE ARE GOING TO HIRE IN AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE SERVANT LEADERS AND THEY'RE GOING TO UNDERSTAND AND BE A PART OF AND SOME FOLKS FROM THE COMMUNITY WILL WORK THERE.

IT IS, WE ARE HERE LITERALLY TO SERVE.

HOW DO WE MAKE THINGS BETTER.

HOW DO WE INCREASE ACCESS TO CARE AND CONTINUE THAT MOVING FORWARD?

>> WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THIS HOSPITAL, SAY 10 YEARS FROM NOW?

WHEN YOU LOOK BACK, WHAT DO YOU WANT IT TO LOOK LIKE WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO SAY ABOUT IT?

HOW DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL ABOUT IT?

>> FOR ME, IT'S OUTCOMES.

IT IS HEALTHIER, HAPPIER COMMUNITY.

NOT SAYING THAT THE COMMUNITY IS NOT HEALTHY OR HAPPY BUT I THINK WE CAN DO A LOT BETTER.

SO FOR ME, IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A NUMBERS GAME AND IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF VISUAL GAME.

IT IS, YOU KNOW, HOW ARE WE DECREASING THE NUMBER OF E.D.

VISITS AND THE HEALTHCARE WORLD WOULD SAY OH MY GOSH, FROM A BUSINESS ASPECT, THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT.

FROM HEALTHCARE THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT.

A HEALTHIER HAPPIER COMMUNITY.

HOW DO I TRANSFER EMERGE EMERGENCY VISITS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE USE IT AS THEIR PRIMARY CARE.

HOW CAN WE GET PEOPLE TO CONVERT TO UTILIZE THE OTHER PARTS OF THE HOSPITAL.

HOW DO I CONNECT YOU WITH A SPECIALIST OR PROGRAM THAT CAN GET YOUR DIABETES OR HYPERTENSION UNDER CONTROL.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE KNOW THAT THE WEST LOUISVILLE COMMUNITY PRIMARILY BEING AFRICAN-AMERICAN, A HIGH LEVEL OF THINGS LIKE PEDIATRIC ASTHMA SO KIDS ASTHMA OR SICKLE-CELL.

NOT SOMETHING WE TALK ABOUT ALL THE TIME.

BRINGING PROGRAMS HERE TO GET THINGS LIKE THAT UNDER CONTROL SO PEOPLE CAN HAVE A LITTLE MORE NORMAL HEALTHIER LIFE, THAT'S WHAT WOULD I LIKE TO SEE SO THAT'S THE MAIN GOAL OF THIS, TO BE OF PREVENTATIVE CARE HOSPITAL AND TO STAY IN FRONT OF PEOPLE BEING ADMITTED AND HAVING TO COME THROUGH THE E.D.

I WANT TO SEE THEM IN CRISIS.

I WAS ACCOUNT THEM TO COME TO USE OTHER RESOURCES OF THE HOSPITAL.

I WANT TO NORMALIZE PEOPLE COMING TO THE HOSPITAL WHEN THEY'RE WELL AND IT'S A PLACE OF REFUGE OR JUST TO COME AND EDUCATE.

I'LL CHALLENGE SOMEBODY IN A GAME OF BINGO IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM.

>> IT'S WONDERFUL.

I LOVE IT.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD?

>> NO, I'M JUST EXCITED AND I HOPE THAT PEOPLE ARE JUST AS EXCITED AS I AM TO UTILIZE THE FACILITY.

IT'S GOING TO BE NICE.

IT'S GOING TO BE BEAUTIFUL.

WE HAVE A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THROUGHOUT NORTON HEALTHCARE, SO IF THAT'S A BARRIER FOR PEOPLE, COME SEE US OR CALL US.

WE HAVE THOSE RESOURCES THAT YOU CAN, WE CAN WORK THROUGH THAT BEFORE YOU COME TO THE FACILITY.

WE'LL WORK UP TO ALL OF THAT BEFORE THE DOORS OPEN BUT I WANT THIS TO BE A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT.

I WANT EVERYBODY TO COME, ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

NOT JUST PEOPLE IN WEST LOUISVILLE, COME BE HEALTHY.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ 2340RTON WEST LOUISVILLE HOSPITAL IS HIRING FOR MORE THAN 200 POSITIONS.

ON SCHEDULE TO OPEN AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

DON'T FORGET YOU CAN WATCH THIS EPISODE AND ALL THE EPISODES AT AT KET.ORG/INSIDE LOUISVILLE.

AND GET A FULL TOUR OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITE.

WE'LL TAKE YOU INSIDE WEST LIESM HOSPITAL.

YOU CAN FIND US AT KET IN LOU THANKS FOR SPENDING A LITTLE TIME GETTING TO KNOW LOUISVILLE THIS WEEK.

I HOPE WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME FOR INSIDE LOUISVILLE... UNTIL THEN, MAKE IT A GREAT WEEK!

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪