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SubscribeMayor Greg Fischer announced today that global design and consultancy firm Arcadis is donating engineering and design services to Russell: A Place of Promise, in support of its community engagement efforts around vacant warehouses at 3025 W. Madison St.
Russell: A Place of Promise is an economic justice-based initiative created through a partnership between Louisville Metro Government, Cities United and the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust. It focuses on generating investments in the people and places that make Louisville’s historically African American Russell neighborhood special.
“The key to being a good steward of investment like the kind we’re seeing in Russell is to be intentional about making sure that as we regenerate, we don’t displace,” the Mayor said. “That’s what Russell: A Place of Promise is about, and we appreciate the Arcadis partnership, which should help us get even more residents involved.”
Arcadis will help document current building conditions and plan for the future redevelopment of the Madison Street warehouse property.
As part of that work, Russell: A Place of Promise is inviting Russell residents to participate in conversations that will shape the site design and the uses for the property, as well as consider a community ownership model that would allow residents to become co-owners of the project.
Russell: A Place of Promise staff will knock on doors and host multiple events to update and listen to residents. An initial open house is scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, at Roosevelt-Perry Elementary School, 1615 W. Broadway.
“We are excited about this opportunity to partner with the Arcadis team,” said Anthony Smith, Executive Director of Cities United. “It will allow us to use technology to bring more community members into the planning and design process for the amazing Madison Street warehouses.”
The Madison Street warehouses were once the home of a cigar manufacturing operation and have housed several other industrial uses since the buildings were constructed. The warehouses are located immediately to the south of the Heritage West property where the Louisville Urban League is building its Sports and Learning Complex.
The approximately 3.6-acre property includes five buildings in various states of deterioration. Arcadis’ work will help Russell: A Place of Promise understand existing structural conditions to inform the community conversation around potential for redevelopment.
“Clearly, there is a strong sense of pride, energy and potential flowing from the Russell community,” said Joachim Ebert, CEO of Arcadis North America. “We’re thrilled that Arcadis can support Russell: A Place of Promise in taking bold moves to share a more prosperous and sustainable future for everyone who calls this neighborhood home.”
Russell was a center of black homeownership and has a history of being a vibrant and diverse hub of small, black-owned businesses that served neighborhood needs, created jobs, and contributed to neighborhood resilience. Redlining and urban renewal practices crippled Russell’s residential and business community, stifling opportunities for generational wealth building.
With nearly $1 billion in investment planned and underway, Russell is poised to experience neighborhood transformation. Russell: A Place of Promise is working to build a model for black wealth creation by connecting individuals and families to resources leading to home ownership, by building pathways and opportunities for traditional and nontraditional business retention and creation, and by developing innovative solutions for career-track job placement and growth.
25For more information about the open house and Russell: A Place of Promise’s work, please email info@russellpromise.com.
T Benicio Gonzales has been named the Director of the Center for Health Equity at the Department of Public Health and Wellness. He had served as the center’s Interim Director since last year.
Gonzales came to the Center for Health Equity in 2010 and has taken on increasingly higher-responsibility roles as a Community Health Specialist, Training Coordinator, Executive Administrator, Assistant Director and Interim Director.
Gonzales is recognized as a national expert on equity issues and is frequently asked to consult with health departments and other organizations across the country. Recent presentations at national conferences have included Promoting Health Equity: The Intersection of Social Justice and Psychology to the Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference in Louisville; Restructuring a Local Health Department to More Effectively Address Health Equity to the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting in San Diego and Using Our Power to Advance Racial Equity to the Summit on Government Performance & Innovation in Los Angeles.
He has also been a co-author of many of the Center’s recent reports including Coming Together for Hope, Healing & Recovery: A Plan to Address Substance Use and Misuse in Louisville (2018), the 2017 Health Equity Report: Uncovering the Root Causes of Health and Towards Racial Equity through Policy & Assessment (2015). Gonzales is the first transgender person to serve in a major leadership position at the Department of Public Health and Wellness.
Gonzales was a Presidential Endowed Scholar at the Graduate College of Social Work of the University of Houston where he earned a Master of Social Work degree. He did his undergraduate work at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Gonzales is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Health Sciences at the University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences.
“I am delighted and proud that T is now our permanent director at the Center for Health Equity,” said Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Department of Public Health and Wellness and the city’s Chief Health Strategist. “T’s leadership skills have been instrumental in restructuring the Department of Public Health and Wellness over the past year to better achieve equity goals. T has a real commitment to this work and the ability to lead the Department of Public Health and Wellness to fulfill its vision of a Louisville where everyone and every community thrives.”
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4) will join the neighbors of Shelby Park and many others for a special unveiling of a plaque which honors two special Louisville Women.
On Tuesday, September 24th, a plaque honoring the accomplishments of Nellie Crawford and Christa Robinson will be unveiled at the corner of East Oak Street and South Jackson.
“This is a very special moment for our Shelby Park Neighborhood and many others throughout our city. Nellie Crawford was an accomplished stage, film and television actress born right here in Louisville. Christa was my Legislative Assistant who was one of the most caring people I have ever encountered. Sadly, she left us too soon earlier this year,” says Sexton Smith.
Born in 1873, Nellie Crawford began her life as a laundress and had a keen interest in acting. She took the stage name of Madam Sul-Te-Wan and was the first African American to sign a major film contract in the infancy of the film world. Through her career she appeared in more than 50 films. She was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1986.
Christa Robinson had a long career as a public servant for Councilwoman Sexton Smith and Congressman John Yarmouth. She passed away in April of this year.
“I want to thank the neighbors of Shelby Park for this fitting tribute to Christa and Nellie,” says Councilwoman Sexton Smith. “To all who see this plaque, please know these are two very dedicated women setting examples for all of us.”
The unveiling ceremony will take place tomorrow at 5:30pm at the corner of East Oak Street and South Jackson.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
President David James is calling on everyone in the community to support police all over Metro Louisville after a recent incident were violent graffiti was posted on I-64.
“There is a guaranteed freedom of speech in this country, but we have to draw the line when the speech advocates violence. This recent graffiti sends the wrong message at a time when all of our officers need support as they protect us,” said President James.
The offending graffiti recently appeared on the metal bridge over I-64 near the Cannons Lane exits. Recently, the words “Kill Cops” appeared on the bridge.
“As a community, we must take a stand. Violence is no answer to any problem. The dedicated men and women of every police department in our community roll out on the street every day to do their jobs and keep us safe,” said James. “We must give them our thanks and support.”
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer’s administration, Kentucky Juvenile Justice Commissioner Denny Butler, representatives of the Administrative Office of the Courts, and Jefferson County Sheriff John Aubrey today outlined the tentative agreement for the transition of care for detained Louisville youth to the State Department of Juvenile Justice in light of the approaching December 31st closure of the local facility resulting from this year’s Metro budget reductions.
Points include:
- Effective Jan. 1, 2020, the State Department of Juvenile Justice will be responsible for youth detainment in Jefferson County, as it is for all other counties in Kentucky.
- As part of this shift, youth who are arrested by police in Jefferson County will initially be taken by the arresting police agency to meet with a court designated worker for an assessment and recommendation to the Juvenile Court Judge, who will determine if the youth should be detained until a court appearance.
- If they are to be detained, the arresting agency will take them to the state’s Audubon Youth Development Center, 8711 La Grange Road, in eastern Jefferson County, where they will be held until their arraignment and detention hearings. Metro staff will transport pre-adjudicated youth.
- If the court detains a youth, the Sheriff’s office will transport them to one of the state’s other youth detention facilities, outside Jefferson County.
The closing of Youth Detention Services (YDS) is one of many steps that Louisville Metro Government is taking as part of the FY 2019-20 budget cuts, which are in response to an increasing state pension obligation and a Metro Council vote last spring against new revenue.
The city had considered turning YDS back to the state months ago in response to the budgetary challenges but because of the complexities of unwinding the current system, rebuilding a new one, and concerns of equity, the Mayor included another year of funding in his FY20 budget proposal while contract discussions with the state continued. In June, however, Metro Council appropriated only a half-year funding, which expedited the process.
Running the detention center currently costs the city about $9.7 million annually. While the state has been paying the city a per diem based on the number of detained youths, that subsidy has declined, and the city has been drawing only about $1.6 million annually.
As part of the new agreement, the city will contribute to the cost of expanding and operating a portion of the Audubon facility. The state will operate this hybrid, short-term facility and will expand the current alternative placement services.
During today’s meeting, officials asked members of the Advisory Committee for their input as they work to ensure as smooth a transition as possible, and to mitigate the impact on youth and families.
The Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee members include local, state, and federal juvenile justice leaders, government officials, and community partners, who seek to develop programs, strategies and recommendations that are consistent with state law, core requirements of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, core strategies of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative, and the reduction of Disproportionate Minority Contact throughout the juvenile justice system.
Mayor Fischer today thanked the committee for their input, and thanked the state, judges and court officials, the sheriff and his Metro Government team for their work on the transition plan. He also expressed his deep gratitude for the work of YDS Director Dr. Ursula Mullins and her team.
“Youth detention is a challenging environment under normal circumstances, and I know the uncertainty of recent months have made it even more difficult. I greatly appreciate the hard work and commitment of Dr. Mullins and her team,” the Mayor said. “Our city deeply appreciates her bravery and compassion.”
The Mayor added that his administration’s goal has been to ensure as smooth a transition as possible for the youth and their families, the criminal justice system and the dedicated and hardworking employees of YDS.
“This was not an easy decision, and we know that it will place a burden on some families in our community,” the Mayor said. “Our hope is that this focus on youth detention by all stakeholders, including city and state officials, as well as police and the justice system, will result in more innovative and compassionate approaches to working with troubled youth, and avoid more costly detentions.”
“As we face tough discussions about what is next for our youth and our employees, I am humbled to work side-by-side with our committed staff who advocate for our youth,” said Dr. Ursula Mullins, Director, Youth Detention Services. “I want to thank our YDS family who have worked in a situation of uncertainty for months and have continued to show their dedication to Louisville youth and families.”
“I’m very pleased to see that the state and Metro Government have been able to come to terms to provide services for the children in YDS,” said Metro Council President David James. “While I’m personally not pleased to see YDS shut down, this is the reality we are faced with.”
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilman Pat Mulvihill (D-10) is sending praise to the community for giving an assist to Solid Waste Management Enforcement (“SWMS”) Officers as they tracked down and impounded the tenth vehicle of 2019 involved in illegal dumping.
“My thanks to everyone who helped SWMS find those who would try to turn our neighborhoods into their own personal dumping grounds,” said the Councilman. “My thanks also to SWMS officers who continue to make illegal dumping a priority. We, on the Metro Council, want to send a strong message if you illegally dump in our neighborhoods, it will be costly when we catch you.”
The Ford Ranger truck with by two individuals was caught on a residential security camera in the Schnitzelburg neighborhood. They were seen dumping a couch on the property.
Unfortunately, the license plate was not visible in the video. Still shots from the video were posted on the weekly District 10 Enewsletter, the Louisville Metro Public Works Facebook page and on Nextdoor asking the community to help identify the individuals.
SWMS Officers received an anonymous tip that led them to the owner of the truck in District 21. The owner stated that he planned to dispose of the couch for free at the Waste Reduction Center, but he didn’t realize it is closed on Mondays. Instead of waiting another day, he dumped it on someone else’s property.
The total cost of a citation for illegal dumping is approximately $750 plus the vehicle will be impounded and the owner will be required to pay all storage fees.
Mayor Greg Fischer today celebrated the announcement that the Parking Authority of River City (PARC) was named an Accredited Parking Organization with distinctions, ranking it among the top 5 percent of parking organizations worldwide.
“This designation confirms that PARC not only has a well-run parking program, but through its progressive practices and innovation, PARC also meets the highest end of standards for parking organizations globally,” the Mayor said. “Congratulations to PARC director Tiffany Smith and her fantastic team on this accolade!”
The Accredited Parking Organization designation standards are set by the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI), which recognizes best practices in responsible parking management and operations, customer service, professional development, sustainability and access management, safety, data security and risk management, and more. The accreditation is awarded for a three-year period.
“It’s quite an achievement, which follows a lengthy and arduous review process,” explained Shawn Conrad, CAE, CEO of IPMI. “Parking at an accredited facility or operation assures the public that the parking organization adheres to a strict code of ethics and meets national and internationally endorsed standards for professionalism, accountability, responsibility, and performance – and we are thrilled to recognize the Parking Authority of River City.”
In order to achieve the status of Accredited Parking Organization with distinctions, PARC had to meet more than 185 criteria in more than 14 categories. PARC and contractor REEF Parking began the process seeking the accreditation with distinction in January.
“This is a testament to the great work the PARC staff does every day to provide convenience in parking, asset management, and superior customer service,” said Tiffany Smith, director of PARC. “Whether it’s the LED lighting, our 24-hour call center, cleanliness, or clear wayfinding signage, our team strives to stand out among the city’s parking options and find innovative ways to serve our customers through new technology.”
In addition to the accreditation with distinction, three Louisville PARC garages – Clay Commons, Glassworks and Jefferson Center – were designated as “Premier Facilities” by IPMI after meeting 43 criteria in categories including signage, lighting, cleanliness, and efficiency.
Metro Council President David James said, “I’m very proud of the men and women of PARC for achieving this level of certification, it speaks highly of Ms. Tiffany Smith and her team.”
Metro Council member David Yates said, “Now more than ever it’s imperative that the Metro Council work with PARC, the administration and staff to expand resources, continue to improve efficiencies and ultimately increase the amount of revenue generated to ensure Louisville’s solvency.”
