A stretch of Preston Highway that has become a hub of Hispanic culture will be named La Villa Lou, Mayor Craig Greenberg announced at his weekly media conference June 9.
The title was selected by community members for the stretch of Preston Highway from Interstate 264 to Outer Loop. The announcement was coupled with the completion of the corridor’s first public art installation, located at 5043 Preston Highway and created by artist Haley Bass and her team.
“La Villa Lou started with listening,” Greenberg said. “For months, we met with residents, business owners, community leaders and families to hear their stories, ideas and vision for this corridor. Today, you see the result: a community-chosen name, a community-inspired mural and the start of a community-driven effort to celebrate Hispanic heritage in Louisville.”
The roadway project was informed by public feedback collected by the city’s Office for Immigrant Affairs and Office of Strategic Initiatives, according to a press release from Greenberg’s office. In October 2025, community members voted on the name of the initiative and submitted input for future public art and historical markers. Artists applied through a muralist request for someone to help bring community ideas to life.
Greenberg also launched the La Villa Lou Passport Challenge, which is a digital passport map that encourages participants to explore local businesses in the area. Nine businesses have chosen to participate so far, with some offering discounts of up to 10% for those who participate, according to the release. Businesses that would like to participate can fill out a form to be considered.
Community members can scan a QR code at participating businesses to earn points for La Villa Lou “swag,” which can be picked up at Metro Hall or mailed. The first 75 people to register for the Passport Challenge will earn a limited edition La Villa Lou item.
Greenberg said he intends to install more public art and historical markers throughout the corridor in the months and years ahead. He also highlighted multiple economic development resources available to businesses in the area, including financial support from One Louisville’s METCO and the South End Fund, as well as programs from the Kentucky Small Business Development Center like REACH, which share multilingual skills and resources at no cost.
At the media conference, Greenberg was joined by Margarita Coro, owner of Sweet Havana, who helped inform the ultimate vision for La Villa Lou.
“As an immigrant and business owner I feel very proud to see our community being recognized in this great project, La Villa Lou, so it will help many more people discover the diversity of businesses that exist in this corridor. That is why I have always believed that when we share traditions, culture and values we grow much more as a community,” Coro said in a press release.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Preston Highway section gets new name to uplift Hispanic community
