The Clarksdale Housing Complex was a housing project located in Louisville, Kentucky directly east of downtown in the Phoenix Hill neighborhood. History The Clarksdale Housing Complex was a public housing project built in 1939. Clarksdale was occupied from 1939 - late 2004. It was the first public housing complex built in the city and up until its demolition, completed in 2005, it was the largest public housing project in the state of Kentucky. It consisted of 58 two and three-story buildings. Like most public housing complexes, Clarksdale was initially built to support veterans and their families after World War II. Clarksdale was originally built for and occupied by whites tenants, while Beecher Terrace, built several years afterward, was designed for blacks. However, entering into the mid 1960s Clarksdale's population slowly became predominantly black around the same time white flight began in the West End of Louisville. Until its demise, Clarksdale was one of many developments overseen by the Louisville Metro Housing Authority which primarily served as housing for single-family units with low income. Clarksdale's location was bounded by Jefferson Street to the North, Jackson Street on the West, Muhammad Ali Boulevard to the South, and Shelby Street to the East. It was located adjacent to its sister complex Dosker Manor, which initially served as a complex for the elderly and is still standing today. St. Boniface Catholic Church, which also still stands today, was positioned within the boundaries of the complex on East Liberty Street. Both Clarksdale, and Dosker Manor's location, also mark the eastern boundary line of downtown into what is known as the Phoenix Hill neighborhood of Louisville. The northern end of Phoenix Hill especially along East Market and Jefferson Street's has been funded and developed by private business owners into what developers and the local community known as "NuLu"(short for New Louisville), although the historical name for the area geographically is Phoenix Hill and East Market District. As with most housing projects throughout the country, Clarksdale's age and maintenance were insufficient for such a large complex designed for single-family and low income households. Clarksdale in its prime, was one of the most notorious and crime-ridden housing projects within the city with high drug activity, murder, and gang activity prevalent. Redevelopment The 65-year-old complex was completely demolished in 2005, as part of the city's plan to redevelop housing in the downtown area due to Louisville's rapid economic growth