Lexington, KY – The recent acquisition of a property on Delaware Avenue, a street historically impacted by redlining, has sparked discussions about gentrification and equitable development in the area.
1000 Delaware LLC, a profit-oriented Kentucky Limited Liability Company, purchased the 1.0042-acre site at 1000 Delaware Ave (between Pasta Garage and JY Kitchen) for $435,000. The company, formed in September 2023 and listed under the Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office, is managed by members, with William David Hanrahan, identified as a Senior Marketing Manager specializing in digital engagement (based on LinkedIn profile information), as the registered agent. The site’s current zoning as “Light Industrial” and its historical use as an auto repair facility present unique redevelopment opportunities.
The property’s transformation plans, highlighted in a recent Reddit thread from the r/lexington community, include “creating a vibrant community space for creativity, collaboration, and wellness”. However, the enthusiasm for redevelopment is tempered by concerns about gentrification, especially given the area’s history. Delaware Avenue was designated as “definitely declining” in a 1940 redlining map, a discriminatory practice that contributed to systemic disinvestment in certain neighborhoods.