Following an extensive community engagement effort and a detailed evaluation process, The Marian Group and Louisville Metro Government have signed a letter of intent to redevelop the former Urban Government Center (UGC) site in Paristown.
The UGC property totals 11.85 acres and is located in the Paristown neighborhood near the Original Highlands, Shelby Park, Germantown and Smoketown. There are currently four buildings on the UGC property: 810 Barret Avenue, 850 Barret Avenue, 768 Barret Avenue, and a steam plant to the west of 850 Barret Avenue.
The Marian Group’s proposal aligns with community priorities expressed during an extensive public engagement period. These priorities include the preservation of green space and an existing community garden, the creation of new housing choices at multiple price points, the ability of the site to support multi-modal transportation options, including transit and bicycles, the reuse of existing facilities and materials, the incorporation of community gathering spaces, and the use of innovative building and site management techniques to make the development a model of sustainability.
These values are mirrored in broader community priorities captured in Vision Louisville, including improving connectivity, enhancing identity, fostering creativity, incorporating sustainable energy and improving health.
The development will feature such diverse housing options as townhomes, shotgun-style single family homes, multi-family rental units, and condo flats. Additionally, Marian plans to develop several types of affordable housing—including a Family Scholar House campus and housing for seniors. The development will include office and commercial space, and The Marian Group will also be exploring development of a boutique hotel.
“We are proud to have been selected to partner with Metro on this project. We believe it represents what is great about our city and this neighborhood—mixed-use, mixed-income, intergenerational and interconnected,” said Marian principal Justin Brown.
Marian principal Jake Brown added, “This project reaffirms our commitment to inclusive housing opportunities across a wide range of income levels, including affordable, first time home buyers, seniors and the sixth local Family Scholar House campus.”
The selection of The Marian Group comes after a community engagement process of over one year that included multiple on-site public meetings to hear the concerns and values of people from adjacent neighborhoods. In their proposals, development teams were asked to incorporate what was heard at public meetings.
Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith, who represents the area, said: “Today is a great day. Today is another win for our community. I congratulate everyone who worked so hard on the evaluation panel for several months reviewing and analyzing each proposal. The panel did exactly what it promised to do in delivering a recommendation on schedule, and that aligns with community priorities. I am especially impressed with the attention paid and results delivered to build affordable housing. This site will always be known as the historic Kentucky Baptist Hospital, the mission of which was to care for those in times of need. We are now moving forward with a project that ensures a better quality of life for all.”
Councilman Brandon Coan, whose district is immediately adjacent to the UGC property, said that he applauds the quality and attentiveness to community priorities reflected in all five of the proposals: “I am pleased with the process the city used to reach today’s announcement, and the importance that community sentiment and values played in shaping the future of the Urban Government Center property. The Marian Group’s proposal reflects the density, connectivity and variety of housing options that the community clearly desired. I hope historic preservation receives all due consideration but I am generally supportive of this project. 2018 will be a transformative year for the Barret Avenue corridor.”
For more information on the Urban Government Center and to view The Marian Group’s proposal as well as the signed letter of intent, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/urban-government-c…
Leave a Reply