Six months have passed since the final occupants vacated Dosker Manor, the long‑standing public housing complex on the west side of Louisville. Metro Housing Authority (LMHA) Director Elizabeth Strojan says the site remains vacant while the agency works through an archaeological survey and awaits federal funding before demolition can start.
Why the delay?
Strojan explained that the property is eligible for the National Historic Registry, requiring a careful survey of what lies beneath the existing structures. “We have to make sure we preserve any historic artifacts for future generations,” she said. This process, combined with the need for HUD funding, means demolition will likely begin later this year, not immediately.
New development plans
The former Dosker Manor site is slated to become Mae Street Village, a mixed‑use campus that will include a senior‑focused grocery store called The Miller and family‑oriented housing. LMHA plans to build between 300 and 350 new units, offset by project‑based vouchers that will spur additional affordable housing throughout Jefferson County.
Former residents will receive priority for the new homes, though Strojan emphasized that the new units will be “nothing like the one they left.” She described the old complex as “shameful” and expressed optimism that the upcoming development will provide safe, decent housing for years to come.
Relocation efforts
When Strojan took over as LMHA director in 2024, she prioritized rapid relocation for Dosker Manor tenants. “We built a huge system of supports, including clinical case management, ID assistance, and tours of potential new homes,” she said. Residents such as Doris Meaux and Linda Marzy have since settled in nearby neighborhoods and expressed relief at leaving the infested, deteriorating building behind.
HUD involvement
HUD Secretary Scott Turner toured the vacant complex earlier this week, discussing the redevelopment and reaffirming federal support for the project. The administration’s focus remains on delivering affordable, quality housing while preserving any historic elements uncovered during the survey.
As Louisville awaits the start of demolition, community members hope the new Mae Street Village will bring renewed hope and stability to families who have long endured substandard living conditions.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
