Building Pride in Lonsdale

Published: 12/17/2009 9:21:26 AM

Lonsdale has a long and interesting history, dating back to 1890 when Will Ragsdale decided to turn his family's 240-acre farm into a community.

Lonsdale has a long and interesting history, dating back to 1890 when Will Ragsdale decided to turn his family’s 240-acre farm into a community. He created the name “Lonsdale” by combining Lonas from his mother’s side of the family with “dale” from Ragsdale.

In 2007 and 2008, the community experienced a resurgence thanks to two major projects. KCDC invested $26.5 million in Lonsdale Homes, renovating existing properties, constructing new buildings and demolition. SYSCO Food Services constructed an impressive, 350,000-square-foot food distribution center at the I-275 Business Park.

With the help of $1.2 million in Empowerment Zone Funding and oversight by KCDC, Lonsdale residents can look forward to two more projects – both near the intersection of I-275 and Heiskell Avenue - that will boost the community.

D&D Developers plans to build a convenience store, a beauty salon and a chicken restaurant. The project, which includes demolition of the abandoned car wash and other buildings, should add 13-15 jobs to the area.

Triple M Property Management, LLC plans to build a neighborhood commercial and retail center. The two prime tenants of the center will be Lonsdale Market and Deli and the Lonsdale Payment Center. Those two businesses should add 16-18 jobs to the area.

The Lonsdale community has a long history and a lot of pride, and KCDC is pleased to take a big part in the community’s new growth and revitalization.

KCDC’s mission is to improve and transform neighborhoods and communities by providing quality affordable housing, advancing development initiatives and fostering self-sufficiency. For more information, call (865) 403-1100 or visit http://www.kcdc.org.