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By a vote 21 to 3, the Louisville Metro Council has approved the Fiscal Year 2018- 2019 Operating Budget for Metro Government. By a vote of 20 to 4, the Council gave its approval to the Capital Budget for the coming year.
“The approved budget continues to heavily fund public safety and infrastructure, including paving and sidewalks. It increases funding for the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, which is helping to reduce crime in ways proven to work around the country. It maintains historically high funding for affordable housing. The Council has increased appropriations to the Library, to the Living Room project, which diverts people from the jail and emergency rooms, and to Dare to Care and New Roots, to address Louisville’s food insecurity issues. The budget also funds personnel and equipment to double the City’s graffiti abatement program,” says Councilman Bill Hollander (D-9) chair of the Budget Committee. “Budgets require compromise – and the results aren’t exactly what anyone wants. I thank the scores of people who appeared before Council to express their opinions on spending priorities, and Council members and staff who worked hard over the last two months to produce a budget that will continue to move Louisville forward.”
“This budget addresses many of the concerns that I and many of my colleagues had expressed regarding the Mayor’s proposed budget. Our amendments increased oversight and accountability in areas where additional scrutiny is needed and continues to push for a much needed new police headquarters and government building that will better help us serve the community” said Councilman Kevin Kramer (District 11), Vice Chair of the Budget Committee. “There were many areas of change that I would have liked to have seen incorporated into the final proposal, but I do believe that the budget that was passed tonight does continue to move our community forward.”
Aside from maintaining the operations and needs of Louisville Metro Government, the budget also highlights the following areas:
Preserves jobs at the Main Library and funds full staffing at the new Northeast Regional Library and the expansion of the St. Matthews Library. Requires Budget Committee approval of proposed renovations to the Main Library, including any changes to space utilization, staffing and services. ($265,000 increase in proposed budget to LFPL).
Focuses on food insecurity issues by doubling proposed funding to Dare to Care for general operations to a total of $200,000, and more than tripling proposed funding to New Roots to $70,000 (an increase of $100,000 for Dare to Care and $50,000 to New Roots).
Funds the Living Room program, diverting individuals from the jail and emergency rooms, at $1,000,000 and requires monthly reporting by Centerstone on usage and outcomes. ($350,000 increase in proposed budget).
Doubles Metro’s graffiti abatement program run by Codes and Regulation, providing for additional vehicles and personnel to operate them, beginning in February 2019.
Increases funding for the development of the new YMCA at 18th & Broadway by $50,000, bringing the total to $300,000.
Provides additional funding for Parks: $200,000 for Phase III of Charlie Vettiner Park; $75,000 to be matched by the Louisville Parks Foundation for soccer fields at William Harrison and Wyandotte Parks; and $50,000 for Quail Chase Golf Course.
Increases funding for Waterfront Development Corporation by $50,000, bringing Metro’s contribution to Waterfront Park to $1,037,000, to address an operating deficit and to provide for increased restroom cleaning in the park.
Allocates $1,000,000 for improvements at the Impound Lot (a reduction of $1,000,000 in the proposed amount due to timing issues on the need for the funds).
Maintains other recommended funding for paving, sidewalk repair and construction, LMPD, the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, Heritage West, Parks, the Zoo and other projects and services.
Funds increased pension and healthcare costs, with no layoffs of Metro employees and no increase in taxes.
Louisville Metro Animal Services is investigating the death of a dog that was shot with an arrow in the Fairdale area, and a $500 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the unacceptable act of cruelty on a defenseless animal.
On Wednesday, June 21st at about 5p.m., a man brought to the LMAS shelter an approximately 2-year-old Jack Russell Terrier with a large arrow protruding through its body. Despite the efforts of staff, the dog died on the way to Jefferson Animal Hospital.
The LMAS Animal Control Division is investigating, and the non-profit Friends of Metro Animal Services is offering a $500 reward for information in this case. Shooting a pet with an arrow is a criminal act.
The dog was found Wednesday afternoon in the vicinity of the 8900 block of Brown Austin Rd. in Fairdale. The approximately 2-foot long arrow entered the dog’s left hip area and was protruding from the right side of its abdomen, near the left shoulder. The dog did not have a microchip and so far, its owner has not been located.
LMAS Animal Control is interviewing residents in the area in an effort to get justice for a helpless dog that suffered tremendously before its death.
LMAS will gladly accept donations to boost the $500 reward being offered by FOMAS. Anyone with information about the dog’s owner, or knows who may be responsible for its fatal injuries is asked to contact Louisville Metro Police at 574-LMPD.
Mayor Greg Fischer today joined Sadiqa Reynolds, President and CEO of Louisville Urban League, and community leaders to announce that Louisville Metro Government (LMG) has entered into a development agreement with the Louisville Urban League (LUL) for the redevelopment of the Heritage West site, a 24-acre acre property in the Russell neighborhood. LUL’s master plan is centered on a 4,000-seat indoor and outdoor track and field facility and will feature community green space and outdoor event space.
“It’s an exciting time to be in west Louisville as it is experiencing nearly $1 billion in investment right now, and we are thrilled to add this sports and education complex to the list,” said the Mayor. “This project will activate a vacant lot, bring investment and jobs to the Russell neighborhood and serve as a healthy outlet for youth and adults from across our country. I applaud Sadiqa and her team at Louisville Urban League for their vision to bring a state-of-the-art sports facility to west Louisville.”
The development agreement states that, pending Metro Council approval, LMG will provide $10 million toward construction costs of the track. Construction is expected to begin in early 2019.
“There is no silver bullet in community revitalization and while sports may be part of an answer, track is not now, nor has it ever been the entire answer. While we can’t ignore the cries of our local track teams to ‘build this facility,’ this project is about more than sports. It is about economic opportunity, families traveling into our community with disposable income and the jobs and organic growth that will happen as a result of this catalytic project. It is truly about the need for a facility like this in our community and since it is to be built, why not right here in Russell,” said Sadiqa Reynolds, President and CEO of Louisville Urban League. “I am thrilled about the work we are about to do and the support this project has garnered, not just from the local community but from partners like the National Development Council (NDC), a national not-for-profit economic development agency that has been working to increase the flow of private capital into underserved areas for almost fifty years.”
The complex will be designed to host a variety of sporting events supported by organizations such as USA Track and Field, and the NCAA, our local and regional public and private schools and local track teams. The facility also will feature retail space and related amenities and will be owned and operated by the LUL. Browne Engineering & Construction has been selected as the Project Manager and Moody Nolan has been selected as the architect.
“NDC is delighted to have the opportunity to be working with the Louisville Urban League and its first rate committee on this mixed-use recreation facility that will be a catalyst for future development opportunities and lead to a substantial community impact in the Russell neighborhood for years to come,” said Kevin Gremse, Senior Director of National Development Council.
Heritage West is located on the western border of the Russell neighborhood, which is currently seeing an influx of investment, including the $29.5 million mixed-income, mixed-use redevelopment of Beecher Terrace, a project expected to leverage at least $200 million in new investment; Waterfront Park Phase Four expansion; relocation of Passport Health Plan’s headquarters; construction of a new YMCA at 18th and Broadway; and the city’s first Bus Rapid Transit Line.
“I am excited that this project is continuing to move forward with a $10 million commitment, pending Metro Council approval, from Louisville Metro Government to help make this dream a reality. The west Louisville community participated in discussions and sessions to make this sports complex project a priority for our community, and it will certainly be a destination spot for Louisvillians and visitors to the city alike,” said Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton, D-5. “This project will help change a 24-acre vacant lot into a positive vision of hope and a productive use which will generate other positive effects for our neighborhood. Thank you to Sadiqa Reynolds and everyone at the Louisville Urban Louisville for their belief and dedication to this project, and let’s do all we can to help make this dream a reality.”
The selection of the Louisville Urban League’s development plan was announced in late 2017 after an extensive community engagement process that included multiple public meetings to hear the concerns and values of people from the Russell neighborhood. More than 125 public comments were received on the four development proposals that were submitted after the SOI was released.
An evaluation panel of both LMG staff and members of the community was formed to review all four proposals submitted and to make a recommendation to Louisville Forward. The evaluation panel used scoresheets to review each proposal.
In the evaluations panel Bonnie Cole, Bill Gatewood, Vanessa Lackey and Gary Watrous represented the community and Jeana Dunlap (Director of Redevelopment Strategies), Laura Grabowski (Director of Vacant and Public Property Administration), Scott Herrmann (Director of Economic Development), Aaron Jackson (Director of Finance) and Allison Smith (Brownsfields Program Manager) represented LMG.
LUL will now, like all development projects, formalize their plans and submit them to Louisville Metro Planning & Design Services for review by staff, the Planning Commission and, if a rezoning or street closure is needed, Metro Council.
For the latest updates on the development, follow @LouisvilleUL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or visit www.lul.org.
To view the development agreement, evaluation panel scoresheets and more please visit
https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/heritage-west
The Louisville Farmers Market Association (LFMA) has released its annual “Local Food Guide.” The Guide maps out the city’s farmers markets, as well as New Roots’ Fresh Stop Markets. It highlights each market’s hours of operation, as well as methods of payment, including those that accept Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and SNAP benefits. Several of the markets have opted to provide a “double dollars” program for shoppers who use SNAP and Senior benefits. Every dollar of SNAP or Senior benefits will buy two dollars’ worth of farm fresh healthy food at those markets.
“Farmers Markets are an important way to get fresh fruits and vegetables to our neighborhoods, particularly any areas of our city that may not have ready access to fresh produce,” said Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and Chief Health Strategist. “They also are a great opportunity for our local and regional farmers and entrepreneurs to support their operations. They help our community thrive.”
Louisville has added five new farmers markets this year, for a total of 21. New markets are:
Fourth St. Live, 440 4th St.
Eastwood Village, 16300 Eastwood Cut Off Road.
Belknap, UofL Belknap Campus Red Barn.
Prospect Area, New Goshen Presbyterian Church, 12900 W. Hwy 42.
Middletown, First Baptist Church, 11721 Main St.
The 2018 Local Food Guide is available on-line at https://bit.ly/1RdDIT7.
A message from The Kentucky Center’s President and CEO, Kim Baker:
As you may know, The Kentucky Center is owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Moving forward, our friends and partners at the Commonwealth Finance and Administration Cabinet are working very closely with us on all remediation, restoration efforts, and the schedule for completion of the building project.
The Finance Cabinet is working in coordination with Metro Louisville, The Kentucky Center, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and others to work through this process as quickly and efficiently as possible.
We thank Cabinet Secretary William M. Landrum III and his team for their support and leadership during this challenging time. State inspectors are currently conducting the thorough damage assessment necessary to determine the building’s safety.
The time needed to complete that assessment precluded our ability to present PNC Broadway in Louisville’s production of Waitress, scheduled June 26-July 1. This was a tough decision, but PNC Broadway in Louisville president Leslie Broecker understands and supports the decision. All ticket buyers will be issued refunds.
In the coming days, we will be in a better position to determine plans for future performances.
The Center will remain closed to the public for now, but the business of The Center continues.
With The Kentucky Center Foundation’s recent purchase of the Brown Theatre, we now have an alternate space in our family of venues that can accommodate a number of events and performances.
In our nearly 35 year history, The Kentucky Center building has faced other calamities, and always comes back stronger than ever. Just like the proud community we serve, when disaster strikes, we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and get back to work.
The dedication of our staff and love from our community reminds us all that The Kentucky Center is more than a building, it is an idea that binds us together through the joy, love and power of the arts.
The wonderful artists and audiences we serve at The Kentucky Center can rest assured we are doing everything in our power to return the building to a fully operational state as quickly and safely as possible.
Photo: The Kentucky Center
Please be advised that we were notified by officials at The Kentucky Center that WAITRESS, originally scheduled to play The Kentucky Center June 26-July 1, must be cancelled due to recent fire damage within the venue. As the owner of the building, the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, working in partnership with officials at The Kentucky Center, decided to close the building for next week’s performance based on initial assessments.
Safety of patrons, staff, and performers is of utmost importance. All purchased tickets will be automatically refunded within the next several weeks.
“It’s regrettable that the presentation of WAITRESS must be cancelled, but safety is a priority”, said Leslie Broecker, President of PNC Broadway in Louisville. “We appreciate all of the hard work that The Kentucky Center staff and contractors have done thus far, but because the venue must have more time to ensure the safety of our patrons, the engagement must be cancelled and we will unfortunately be unable to reschedule or relocate this production.”
“The producers of WAITRESS are appreciative of the efforts put forth by The Kentucky Center and Broadway Across America, but are extremely disappointed not to be able to bring the show to the fantastic audiences in Louisville.”
For more information from each authorized ticket source, please contact:
PNC Broadway in Louisville subscribers: 502-561-1003
The Kentucky Center single ticket buyers: 502-584-7777
Ticketmaster: 800-982-2787
SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, the world’s largest showcase of skilled trades, returns to the Kentucky Exposition Center June 25-29. The event brings with it an estimated economic impact of $18 million to Louisville.
More than 16,000 middle-school, high-school and college students; teachers; education leaders; and representatives from national corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions participate in the event.
The conference highlight is the annual SkillsUSA Championships. During the competition, top career and technical students participate in more than 100 hands-on contests, representing a wide range of technical, skilled, service and health occupations, including:
- Architectural drafting
- Welding
- Carpentry
- Firefighting
- Cosmetology
- Plumbing
- Culinary arts
- Aviation maintenance technology
- Crime scene investigation
- Electrical construction wiring
- Masonry
- Digital cinema production
- Practical nursing
- Sheet metal
In addition to competing, 600 Skills USA students will complete community service projects in the greater Louisville community. Projects range from framing houses for Habitat for Humanity to helping clean up local parks.
SkillsUSA Championships is free and open to the public Wednesday, June 27 and Thursday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is $8 per car, $20 for a bus.
The mission of SkillsUSA is to ensure a skilled workforce by preparing students for success in their chosen technical, service and health fields. Founded in 1965, the organization has served 12.5 million members, and more than 335,000 advisors and students participate each year.
For more information, visit www.skillsusa.org.
