LOUISVILLE — A plan to divert the impromptu block party that chokes West Broadway with thousands of cars and revelers each Kentucky Derby weekend received a boost from a corporate sponsor.

        But it still faces a roadblock from some on the city's Board of Aldermen, who want the city to fund a free concert for residents.

        Toyota Motor Manufacturing, which operates a Georgetown plant employing 8,000 people, gave $20,000 in hopes of sparking more interest by other corporate sponsors, said James Wiseman, vice president of external affairs.

        Louisville has raised $40,000 from private donations to help fund weekend activities in the city's predominantly black West End, which has complained in past years of being excluded from Derby celebrations.

        Dwen Chester, director of the city's Department of Neighborhoods, said the festivities need another $50,000 to $75,000 to hold concerts at Freedom Hall. So far, $5,000 has been raised from private sources for that event, she said.

        Several members of the Board of Alderman, which must vote to release $80,000 to fund the May 4 and 5 festivities, are split on whether to charge admission for concerts.

        “If you are a teen or a young adult, it's always going to be a choice of economics,” said Alderwoman Denise Bentley, who represents neighborhoods in the West End. “Why would anyone reject a city-sponsored free concert?”

        Ms. Bentley said she opposes charging admission because it would hurt turnout at the concerts and cause gridlock on Broadway Street.

        During last year's festivities several streets and expressway exits were blocked off and cars were diverted by police to ease gridlock.

        West End business owners and neighbors complained that the move hurt business and made travel within their neighborhoods difficult.

        Hameen Muhammad, who operates Hameen Fashions on Broadway Street, said that business at his store stopped at about the same time as traffic did.

        “That money went someplace. The community lost money,” Mr. Muhammad said. “If they just treat the people like a human being and with some respect, they will get more people on their side.”

        Police have not made final their plans for this year's Derby weekend festivities, said department spokesman Detective Bill Keeling.

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