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The Beargrass Creek Greenway trail, in its entirety, is closed indefinitely due to the recent flooding event in Louisville.
Floodwaters and flash flooding have damaged – and even washed away – major portions of the paved bicycle path.
A major section of the trail has already been closed since last summer due to an MSD basin project and is scheduled to be closed through 2019. A map of the previous closure can be found here.
There is no timetable currently available on repairs or when the path will re-open.
Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5) is encouraging the community to attend the next meeting of the Shawnee Park MSD Basin Project on Tuesday, February 20th.
“This is an important meeting for everyone in the Shawnee Park and the Westover Subdivision in the Chickasaw Park Neighborhood because MSD will update how construction is going and give a time table as to what areas will be affected on West Broadway during the upcoming spring and summer months,” says Hamilton
The meeting will be held at the Shawnee Golf Course Club House, 460 Northwestern Parkway from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
The Shawnee Park Basin Project, also known as Southwestern Parkway CSO Basin Project, consists of construction of the retention basin to eliminate untreated storm water and sewage from entering the Ohio River, new park features, and improvements.
According to MSD officials, the Shawnee Park Basin Project will create a cleaner river, provide new amenities, and restore the core of Shawnee Park.
The update meeting will focus on:
- What construction is occurring:
- Construction Timing
- Dust Control
- Bus Route Detours
- Construction Concerns
“This meeting will be a chance to ask questions and understand the benefits of this project,” says Hamilton. “It is important that the neighborhood surrounding this project stay in the loop about construction so they can adjust as construction moves forward.”
For more information about the meeting, contact Councilwoman Hamilton’s office at 502-574-1105.
Photo: Vacant and Public Property Administration
The Metro Council’s Community Affairs and Housing Committee has announced the first in a series of meetings to update Louisville’s progress in dealing with vacant and abandoned property in Metro Louisville.
“This year the committee will invite the community to come out and ask questions on the various programs recently announced last fall by the mayor,” says Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin (D-2), who chairs the committee.
The first meeting is set for Monday, February 12th beginning at 1:30pm at the Shawnee Golf Course Clubhouse, 460 Northwestern Parkway.
The committee is encouraging the public to come out and meet with staff from Metro Louisville’s Vacant and Public Property Administration. The office has recently implemented new programs designed to help with the purchase of abandoned property along with helping improve the appearance of vacant buildings in neighborhoods with problems properties.
“Last year, the Metro Council approved funding for a clearboarding program. We have also increased the funding to demolish unsightly buildings on neighborhood streets,” says Shanklin. “Metro Government working through the Landbank has intensified efforts to help anyone purchase property. This meeting is an opportunity to be updated on where we are and how the community can get involved.”
Councilwoman Shanklin says this series of meetings will offer the community a chance to learn more about what’s going on and will be held in multiple locations in the coming months.
For more information about the various programs on Vacant and Public Properties, go to: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/vacant-public-property-administration.
Louisville Parks and Recreation has been selected to receive $25,000 as part of the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge (the Challenge) Spotlight Award. Ten winners and five honorable mentions were selected for their ability to address the need to improve opportunities for all Americans – regardless of income, education or ethnic background – to take an active role in healthy living.
Jefferson Memorial Forest, and its award-winning ECHO (Engaging Children Outdoors) has been highlighted as a Spotlight Award winner for identifying creative partnerships and enacting sustainable and replicable programs that address the unique health issues facing Louisville. The goal of Louisville ECHO is to create opportunities in west Louisville where every resident has access to a safe and healthy environment that increases physical activity, reduces stress, and leads to healthier lives through outdoor recreation and environmental education and stewardship.
Louisville ECHO began in 2008 with seed funding from the U.S. Forest Service to provide multiple nature experiences for 4th grade students at three Title I public schools in west Louisville.
With Louisville Metro support; the continued support of the U.S. Forest Service; multi-sector partners such as the Metro Louisville Department of Public Health and Wellness and YouthBuild Louisville; and funding partners, including the Aetna Foundation and Wilderness Louisville, Inc. Louisville ECHO has expanded to include multiple complementary components providing meaningful nature experiences for nearly 2,500 youth annually across multiple ages.
“On behalf of our staff and volunteers at Jefferson Memorial Forest, we thank the Aetna Foundation, APHA, and NaCo for this award in support our efforts to sustain and grow Louisville ECHO,” said Bennett Knox, parks administrator for Jefferson Memorial Forest. “We appreciate this award as it recognizes multi-sector and multi-partner nature of Louisville ECHO whereby all involved are working towards the same goal of creating a healthier, more vibrant, community through access to nature within our urban core.”
Photo: Louisville Forward
Four businesses were approved for loans totaling $291,000 by the Louisville Metro Departments of Economic Development and Resilience and Community Services. The loans will leverage a total investment of more than $1.2 million and will assist the businesses to open, expand services or rehabilitate properties.
METCO small business loans have been awarded to the following businesses:
• $190,000 Go Green loan has been approved for Nicholas Ellis on behalf of CFG Holdings for its property located at 1202 S. 3rd Street in Old Louisville. The loan will allow owner Nicholas Ellis to increase energy efficiency by replacing the HVAC unit, installing additional insulation and improving the electrical system. After improvements are made, the annual energy cost savings is estimated to be nearly $4,000. The owner plans to reopen the building as mixed-use with commercial tenants on the first and second floors and residential apartments on the third floor.
• $86,000 façade loan has been approved for Refuge Community Development, Inc. for its property located at 1716 Prentice Street in the California neighborhood. The loan will allow owners to rehabilitate the building and return it to its original use as a worship facility, which will be rented out to Refuge in Kentucky Church.
Microbusiness Development Program loans have been awarded to the following businesses:
• $10,000 loan to Flo’s House of Soul, LLC to assist owner Jason Alexander Hatcher with rent, insurance and supplies. Flo’s House of Soul is a sandwich shop and ice cream parlor located at 3400 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. where customers can purchase fun food favorites at a family-friendly venue.
• $5,000 loan to Sherrell Anderson dba DN Surprise Florist and Gifts to assist owner Sherrell Anderson with insurance, rent and inventory. DN Surprise Florist, located at 2001 W. Broadway, provides services such as floral, wreath, bouquet, vase and centerpiece design. Online FTD delivery services and in-store purchases also are available.
The Metropolitan Business Development Corporation (METCO) governs metro government’s small business loans, which include facade, accessibility, and gap financing loans. Because metro government is not the primary lender, the loan program allows many public-private partnerships between government and private business ventures that further the vitality and quality of life in the Louisville community.
The METCO board meets the fourth Thursday of each month. Meetings are at 9:00 a.m., at the offices of Louisville Forward, located at 444 S. 5th Street, 6th floor. Remaining meetings for 2018 are scheduled for February 22, March 22, April 26, May 24, June 28, July 26, August 23, September 27, October 25 and December 13.
To learn more about the METCO loan program, visit
https://dev.louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/local-loan-programs
The Microbusiness Development Program helps low and moderate income business owners with starting and growing small businesses. A microbusiness employs five or fewer people, including the owner. The program includes training, technical assistance and an opportunity to apply for a loan, which can range from $5,000 to $15,000.
Many microbusinesses have little or no access to the commercial banking sector, and this loan program helps business owners who need capital. Borrowers have a choice of two programs, one for businesses which have been open for at least one year, and one for start-up businesses.
For more information about the Microbusiness Development Program, visit the Small Business Clinic at the Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway, or visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/microbusiness-program
Following a two-year study that included multiple public meetings, a survey of residents and outreach to the Jefferson County League of Cities and private waste hauling businesses, a consulting report that assesses Louisville’s current solid waste management system has been finalized.
The report includes recommended improvements and lays the groundwork as the city works to develop ways to accomplish Mayor Greg Fischer’s goal of diverting 90 percent of the community’s solid waste away from landfills by the year 2042.
The consulting report was led by Orlando, Fla.-based MSW Consultants, in partnership with Cascadia Consulting Group (Seattle, Wash.) and Abbe & Associates (Alameda, Calif.) under a $350,000 contract. MSW is a management consulting firm specializing in the waste and recycling industry.
Begun with a public meeting on Dec. 8, 2015, the consultant’s study was conducted in three phases. The first examined the makeup of Louisville’s residential and commercial wastes and helped quantify potential diversion opportunities.
It found, for example, that in 2015, two-thirds of the 879,000 tons of waste put into area landfills could have been diverted through recycling, composting or reuse.
Phase Two looked at the policies, operations and costs associated with the present waste and recycling collection system. The consultants determined that costs vary widely depending largely on whether a household is in the Urban Services District, one of the 82 smaller municipalities in Jefferson County, or in an unincorporated area of the county.
In Phase Three, results of the previous phases were shared with the public before short- and long-term recommendations were developed for all aspects of the waste management system.
Short-term recommendations focus on the possibility of expanding services and education, as well as updated ordinances and contracts. Longer term recommendations include initiatives such as an online materials exchange program, every-other-week trash collection and mandatory recycling.
Those recommendations will be studied by Public Works, Metro Council and the Louisville/Jefferson County Solid Waste District, with additional public input, before any potential changes are made.
The full report can be found online at www.louisvilleky.gov/government/public-works/solid-waste-study-report-january-2018 .
Mayor Fischer today announced the names of seven experts and community leaders who will serve on his new Public Art and Monuments Advisory Committee.
Originally announced in December, the Committee is charged with developing a set of principles for evaluating Louisville’s existing public art and monuments.
Committee members represent a range of disciplines and perspectives, including art, history, community building, business and political science. The members include Tricia Burke, Carolle Jones Clay, Dr. Dewey Clayton, Ashley Haynes, Dr. Tom Owen, Dr. Chris Reitz and Cathy Shannon. Reitz and Shannon represent the Commission on Public Art.
The Committee’s first meeting will be from 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7 in the auditorium of the main branch of the Louisville Free Public Library (301 York Street). From 5-5:30 p.m., Committee members will available for a meet-and-greet discussion format and the public is also invited to provide written comments during this time. Following the discussion, Committee members will summarize what they heard in the discussion and then discuss future meeting dates and public input strategies.
The scope of work for the Committee for January through June 2018 will include:
- review processes, actions and outcomes employed by other cities;
- develop strategies to receive public input;
- work with Metro staff to gather and review historical research;
- consider public opinion, historical research and the multi-disciplinary perspectives of Committee members in developing principles; and
- produce a report outlining the Committee’s methods of inquiry and findings on the matter of establishing principles to guide decisions on whether to alter, preserve or remove public art and monuments.
The set of principles that the Committee is tasked with developing will acknowledge the complexities of Louisville’s past, as well as the values that matter to us today. They will be comprehensive, rather than specific to current controversies, and informed by the work of the city’s Commission on Public Art, Compassionate City initiatives, and Historic Preservation Advisory Task Force.
The Committee will consider the historical representation of our city’s existing public art and monuments and develop principles that aspire to make public spaces welcoming and reflective of our diverse community. The principles will guide the administration’s deliberation on whether to alter, to preserve or to remove public art and monuments that may be interpreted as honoring bigotry, racism and/or slavery.
As the Committee begins its work, agendas and associated documents will be made available at Louisville Metro Public Art’s webpage: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/public-art
