Investment effort continues in Delafield

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — A long-term neighborhood investment effort in the city’s west side is continuing to take shape, with officials outlining upcoming infrastructure, park and housing-related improvements planned for the Delafield community.

At the center of the effort is the City of Bowling Green’s Neighborhood Improvements Program, a rotating initiative funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant program.

Nick Cook, grants manager for the City of Bowling Green, said the city receives roughly $800,000 to $900,000 annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support community development and housing needs.

As part of the program, officials select one neighborhood at a time for multi-year investment cycles focused on targeted improvements.

“We’ll spend about two or three years in a neighborhood, and then we’ll move on once those improvements are made,” Cook said.

For each selected area, the city uses a two-pronged approach to determine needs — combining staff neighborhood tours with direct resident input gathered through public meetings and one-on-one conversations with stakeholders, including longtime residents, faith leaders and local businesses.

Cook said that process has identified three major focus areas in the current target zone, Census Block Group 102.4, which includes the Delafield community: pedestrian improvements, residential upgrades and park enhancements.

Several projects tied to those priorities are already underway or moving forward.

The city recently completed Phase II of the West End Greenway project, improving pedestrian connectivity in the area. Next, officials say a sidewalk project along Jackson Street is scheduled to begin this summer after a bid was awarded to Baker Contracting.

“We will be putting a new sidewalk on Jackson Street, replacing a portion of concrete on Beauty Avenue, and doing scattered sidewalk improvements throughout the neighborhood,” Cook said.

That work is expected to be completed over the summer months.

Park improvements are also in the planning stage at Hobson Grove Park, with additional housing-focused efforts being developed in parallel. City officials say those projects will follow the initial round of pedestrian upgrades.

Beyond infrastructure, the city is also continuing an exterior property improvements program designed to address blight and improve curb appeal. Through partnerships with local organizations such as Live the Dream, grant funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to property owners for exterior upgrades.

Cook said the combined efforts are meant to create long-term change rather than short-term fixes.

“The goal is to create a better residential environment, improve economic opportunities, and address housing issues,” he said.

As work continues in Delafield, officials say community input will remain a key part of shaping future phases of the neighborhood improvement strategy.