Community Developments
Main Street Realty has contributed to the greater Louisville community through the development of parks, greenspaces, and neighborhood revitalization since its inception. From managing the construction and development of The Parklands of Floyds Fork on behalf of 21st Century Parks, Inc., and partnering to rebuild the Russell neighborhood in the late 1990’s, to developing and constructing the award-winning Thurman-Hutchins Park and the Patriots Peace Memorial, Main Street Realty has quietly given back to the community.
Our Projects
Main Street Realty is also the company through which Mr. & Mrs. Jones and their family manage their physical philanthropies in Louisville, such as managing the construction and development of The Parklands of Floyds Fork on behalf of 21st Century Parks, Inc.; rebuilding the Russell neighborhood; developing and constructing the award-winning Thurman-Hutchins Park and developing the Patriots Peace Memorial.
Great cities have great parks
Inspired by the design work of Frederick Law Olmsted over a century ago, 21st Century Parks developed an approximately 4,000-acre park system along Louisville, Kentucky’s urban edge known as The Parklands of Floyds Fork. Featuring four major parks and an intricate trail system, The Parklands represents one of the nation’s largest metropolitan parks projects.
Oakland Hills
Supporting Great Parks
Adjacent to The Parklands’ Broad Run Park, the Oakland Hills subdivision is owned by 21st Century Parks Endowment, Inc. Profits from the Oakland Hills development are utilized to further the mission of 21st Century Parks and the Parklands of Floyds Fork.
Patriots Peace Memorial
Honoring Veterans Who Died During Peacetime
The Patriots Peace Memorial remembers United States servicemen and women who died on duty during peacetime. The Memorial consists of four brick walls; a brick is removed each time a service member dies, and is replaced with a piece of glass bearing his or her name. Lit from the inside at night, the Memorial is a beautiful reminder of and tribute to those who chose to serve our country. It has room for the names of at least 500 U.S. military personnel.
Main Street Realty helped organize the design competition for the Memorial and assisted in the completion of the monument. Main Street Realty Founders Mr. and Mrs. Jones donated the land for the Memorial, which is located next to Thurman-Hutchins Park on River Road near Zorn Avenue.
Thurman-Hutchins Park
Expanding Greenspace
Located on River Road across from Cox Park, Thurman-Hutchins Park offers a mile-long lighted walking path, playground, fishing lake with a pier accessible to those with physical limitations, wetlands, nature trails, with boardwalks, four soccer fields (two with lights), two lighted baseball fields, and a picnic area.
Main Street Realty served as the real estate developer and general contractor for this 80-acre tract of land donated to the City of Louisville by the Jones Family more than 20 years ago. The park is named for Mr. and Mrs. Jones’ late mothers: Elsie Thurman Jones, and Lillias Hutchins Ashbury.
Project Rebound
Revitalizing neighborhoods: a partnership with the louisville urban league and the city of louisville
Project REBOUND was one of Main Street Realty’s first physical philanthropy endeavors. By providing financial support and playing an instrumental role in project planning, we were able to rejuvenate a stretch of blighted housing on Louisville’s West Side to form a cohesive neighborhood. The construction of 60 single-family, owner-occupied, moderately priced homes designed by Bravura helped reestablish the historic Russell neighborhood.
Presbyterian Headquarters
A place to gather
In 1984, Mr. Jones bought Belknap Inc., a 144-year-old hardware distribution center on Louisville’s riverfront. After revitalizing part of the acquired property, Main Street Realty gave two Belknap buildings to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to encourage the denomination to move its headquarters to Louisville. Mr. Jones then led the fundraising effort to renovate the buildings, and Main Street Realty built the Witherspoon Parking Garage to support their use.
