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Photo: Bloomberg Philanthropies
Louisville is among 35 Champion Cities announced today as finalists in the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ 2018 U.S. Mayors Challenge, a nationwide competition that encourages city leaders to uncover bold, inventive ideas that confront the toughest problems cities face.
Chosen from a competitive pool of more than 320 applications, the Champion Cities will now begin a six-month testing phase where they will conduct public prototypes of their ideas with grant funding of up to $100,000 per city.
Louisville’s proposal, developed by the city’s Office for Civic Innovation, Louisville Metro Police and community partners, proposes building on the recently installed gunshot detection system Shotspotter to dispatch aerial drones in the seconds after shots are detected. The aerial drones could help officers win valuable time in capturing critical evidence from crime scenes, aiding investigations in a way that reduces the privacy concerns of static cameras.
“When our city is confronted with a major challenge, we respond in a big way. That’s why we implemented our six-point violence prevention strategy last year, and why we focused on public safety in entering this prestigious national challenge,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “Louisville’s finalist status in the 2018 U.S. Mayors Challenge is a testament to the creative, entrepreneurial spirit that makes our city one of the most innovative in the nation.”
The Mayors Challenge returns to the U.S. as the first investment in the American Cities Initiative, a $200 million suite of new and expanded programs that will empower cities to generate innovation and advance policy that moves the nation forward.
During the six-month “Test, Learn, and Adapt” phase of the competition, cities will refine their ideas using up to $100,000 in funding, as well as personalized support from innovation experts, as they prepare a new application for additional support by August 2018.
In October, four cities will receive $1 million awards and one will receive a grand prize of $5 million to bring their ideas to life.
“We received hundreds of bold and creative ideas from cities around the country in response to the 2018 Mayors Challenge, and these 35 really stood out for their potential to improve people’s lives. The next six months are a great opportunity for the cities to test their ideas and make them even more innovative and effective,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term Mayor of New York City.
The 35 Champion Cities performed the best against four key criteria: vision, potential for impact, implementation plan, and potential to spread to other cities. A prestigious selection committee Co-Chaired by Former Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and Former Xerox Chairman & CEO Ursula Burns and comprising distinguished policy experts, artists, academics, business executives and social innovation leaders assessed the applications.
The 2018 Mayors Challenge builds on the success of previous Bloomberg-sponsored Challenges in the U.S. (2013), Europe (2014), and Latin America and the Caribbean (2016). For more information, visit mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org and @BloombergCities on Twitter and Instagram.
Photo: Kentucky Derby Museum
After spending most of his life as the tiny ambassador of the Kentucky Derby Museum, Winston is announcing his final weeks at the Museum. On Monday, March 5, 2018, Winston will head to Old Friends’ Thoroughbred Retirement Farm, where he’ll join several former Kentucky Derby champions and fellow miniature horse, Little Silver Charm.
Winston came to the Kentucky Derby Museum at two years old, in the fall of 1995. He’s been the companion horse to more than 30 resident Thoroughbreds, including three horses that ran in the Kentucky Derby, Perfect Drift, Phantom on Tour and Twinspired, as well as Kentucky Derby 135 winner, Mine that Bird.
He’s also thrown out the first pitch at the Louisville Bats game, helped Churchill Downs pick the Derby winner ahead of the race, supported many charitable organizations around town and performed more than ten marriage proposals with his “Will You Marry Me?” blanket!
“Winston spent most of his life at the Kentucky Derby Museum. He’s been our super star. Whether it’s an appearance in the stable at the end of the historic walking tour or through a picture on social media, Winston has created lasting memories for our visitors,” Kentucky Derby Museum President Patrick Armstrong said. “Now as we gear up to begin work on the Museum’s expansion, including construction of a new stable area, the time was perfect for Winston to make the move to Old Friends. We know he’ll continue to shine in his new home, charming visitors as he has done here for 23 years.”
“Everyone at Old Friends is very excited to have a horse of Winston’s tremendous stature retired at the farm,” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen.”Everyone, especially Alison Knight, at the Kentucky Derby Museum has taken great care of this wonderful celebrity, and we’ll keep up the standards. His fans will know he’s just down the road.”
On February 21st and February 28th, the Museum is inviting everyone to help give Winston an amazing send-off into retirement with Winston Wednesdays! Guests can visit with him at the Museum, sign a jumbo card, get a free special edition signed print by Katie Upton of Phantom on Tour and Winston, and enjoy Winston-themed cookies, while supplies last, and more!
Visitors can also watch Rickelle Nelson, equestrian artist of Deck the Stalls, (and front desk manager at the Museum!) create a live portrait of Winston.
Winston’s final day at the Museum will be Monday, March 5th. He will enjoy a special send off to Old Friends following the Museum’s groundbreaking ceremony for its new multi-million dollar expansion project.
Photo: Louisville Metro Housing Authority
The Director of Louisville Metro Housing Authority (LMHA), Tim Barry, is retiring in late spring 2018. Barry was appointed to the position in 2001 by Mayor David Armstrong.
“In his many years, Tim has been a model public servant who always put the residents of Louisville first and aspired to add to our quality of life with every project he tackled,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “Our city’s current momentum and enthusiasm would not be what it is today if not for the tireless work of Tim Barry.”
Barry first joined Louisville Metro Government in 1977 as a manager in the city’s purchasing department. Throughout his 40 years in city government, Barry served Mayors Sloane, Stansbury, Armstrong, Abramson and Fischer, and worked on various special projects, including:
• Three successful Hope VI development projects
• $700 million Airport Improvement project from 1988-1997
• Downtown Trolley project in coordination with TARC
• Initial development and creation of Brightside, the city’s public/private partnership that promotes a clean and green city
Most recently, Barry and his team helped secure the $30 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods grant for the revitalization of the Russell neighborhood, including the Beecher Terrace public housing development. The grant is expected to leverage more than $200 million in private, foundation, nonprofit and public dollars to fully implement Vision Russell, a comprehensive transformation plan for the neighborhood, starting with a phased deconstruction and redevelopment of the Beecher Terrace public housing site. Louisville is the only city in the U.S. to receive planning, action and implementation grants under the Choice Neighborhoods initiative.
Under Barry’s leadership, LMHA received international recognition for the revitalization of the Villages of Park DuValle, one of the most successful Hope VI initiatives in the U.S. The agency was awarded a second Hope VI grant for the Clarksdale public housing development, now known as Liberty Green. A third Hope VI grant was awarded for the transformation of Sheppard Square in the Smoketown neighborhood.
“I’ve had a marvelous 40-year career with local government and had the opportunity to work with five outstanding mayors and hundreds of equally outstanding local, state and federal government employees. I was fortunate to work on number of game-changing projects that I hope improved the quality of life for those of us who live here,” said Barry. “A very special thanks to the staff at LMHA where I’ve spent the last 17 years. I can’t thank them enough for the support they have given me and the service they’ve provided our residents. Lastly, I want thank my wife Melissa. Spending more time with her is why I’m looking forward to retirement.”
Barry’s replacement will be named at a later date.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilman Brandon Coan (D-8), the Civic Data Alliance and Bellarmine University announce the rescheduled Hack the Highlands event, the CDA’s first neighborhood-specific hackathon, this Saturday February 24th at Bellarmine University. Originally scheduled to occur in January, inclement weather forced the hackathon to be move to this coming Saturday.
The Civic Data Alliance is Louisville’s Code for America Brigade focused on being a force for open data, coding education, and civic engagement. A hackathon is an event at which coders and other stakeholders focus on using data to create software to solve problems.
“I’m excited and appreciative to partner with the Civic Data Alliance and Bellarmine University to produce Hack the Highlands,” said Coan. “The event is part of my plan to build interest in civic engagement and make city business more accessible, interesting and participatory. I hope a number of students, neighborhood coders and urbanists will come out and join us.”
Since 2014, the CDA has hosted nearly a dozen hackathons around Louisville and produced innovative solutions to local needs, including creating tools for those who are visually impaired and supporting The New Dixie Highway project.
“The Civic Data Alliance is excited to work with Councilman Coan and Bellarmine University to host this hackathon,” said CDA event organizer Robert Kahne. “We hope that the work done on this day brings this corner of the city closer together and helps the Highlands as it faces unique challenges and embraces its unique advantages. CDA is always open and willing to work with any elected officials regardless of political party or office who wishes to support open data and technology for the public good. We commend Councilman Coan for reaching out to us and helping put this event together.”
Hack the Highlands will focus on using the city’s open data to solve problems specific to the Highlands, including reorganizing the area’s litter baskets to make the streets cleaner, tracking streetlight outages to make neighborhoods safer and analyzing the results of Councilman Coan’s 2017 “I Can Get You a Tow” campaign, designed to curb illegal rush hour street parking on Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue.
The event will be held Saturday, February 24th from 9am-5pm at Bellarmine, in classroom CNMH 081 on the ground level of Centro’s McGowan Hall. It is free and open to the public, and parking is available in Bellarmine lots.
“We’re proud to call the Highlands and District 8 Bellarmine’s home, so we’re delighted to host this data-driven session that will make our neighborhood an even better place to live, learn and work,” said Dr. Susan M. Donovan, Bellarmine’s president.
For more information and to RSVP, visit:
https://tinyurl.com/HackTheHighlands2-24
http://www.tinyurl.com/cmcoand8
The Kentucky Flea Market February Spring Fling includes more than 600 booths featuring one-of-a-kind items, collectibles, food and more.
Doors open: Friday, February 23, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, February 24, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, February 25, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Kentucky Exposition Center, South Wing A
Admission is free and open to the public. Parking is $8 per vehicle, $20 for a bus – $4 cash back with any purchase.
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
After a successful inaugural season in 2017, Louisville Parks and Recreation will again be operating youth baseball and softball leagues at Wyandotte Park in south Louisville for children ages 6-18.
Sign-ups are available online now at this link.
Tee ball ($20 entry fee) will be available for children ages 6 and under. Softball and baseball league ($40 entry fee) divisions are as follows: ages 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16 and 17-18. In addition to the cost of joining the league, entry fees cover the cost of the uniform and rental of a glove if necessary.
Player sign-ups will take place through March 20 online and at three Parks and Recreation Community Centers; Cyril Allegier, Southwick and South Louisville. Games will begin on Saturday, March 26 at Wyandotte Park. In addition, Parks and Recreation is seeking volunteer coaches for league teams.
Those interested in participating should call Steve Edwards at (502) 744-0498.
“We’re hoping to find enthusiastic role models who will mentor the players, teach them fundamentals and how to be team players,” Parks and Recreation Director Seve Ghose said. “We’re hoping an abundance of kids sign up, but the league will only continue to be successful if we have a good number of coaches willing to take on the challenge.”
Mayor Greg Fischer’s office announced today that the Anchorage and Middletown East Fire Districts have filed a merger petition with the Jefferson County Clerk’s office.
The Mayor’s office received a letter about the proposed merger, and is releasing it publicly to ensure that Middletown and Anchorage property owners are aware of the proposal, which could result in a property tax increase in the newly merged entity.
Under state law (KRS 75.020(4)(c)) the Mayor is required to “enter an order merging the fire protection districts or volunteer fire department districts described in the Petition” unless a written objection or “remonstrance” is made to the Jefferson County Clerk by 51 percent or more of the property owners of the territory sought to be merged.
And the time for any such objection is very short – it must be filed with the Jefferson County Clerk by the close of business on Tuesday, Feb. 27.
The Mayor plans to further discuss with Metro Council and our state delegation whether the citizenry has adequate opportunity to be engaged in the approval of tax increases in these situations.
