Saturday April 20, 2024
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Councilman Dan Johnson (D-21) is pleased to report to residents along New Cut Road, Kenwood Hill and Iroquois Park that the long awaited demolition has begun on the non-historic sections of Colonial Gardens as part of the renovation and redevelopment work for the facility.
“In partnership with Underhill & Associates, I am pleased that we have finally begun this overdue demolition of this section of Colonial Gardens as a way to improve the overall appearance and stabilization of this historic structure,” said Johnson. “After years of concern, the residents of this area can see we are making progress to revitalize this historical landmark”.”
Earlier this year, the Councilman secured up to $25,000 in the current city budget to provide a better exterior appearance pending the non-historic demolition with things such as better fencing, temporary lighting, and signage for this economic development. Additional funds were also budgeted for roof repairs to the historic structure.
“I cannot wait until Colonial Gardens soon becomes the economic engine of South Louisville,” said Johnson.
After years of neglect, the property was purchased by Metro Louisville in 2013. The following year, the city approved a $1.2 million dollar development to Underhill Associates to commercially develop the property. The agreement calls for development of at least 16,000 square feet of new retail, restaurant and commercial outlets on the property. Colonial Gardens’ critical location across the street from the Iroquois Amphitheater, positions this project as the prime economic development for South Louisville.
$16.9 Million T.I.G.E.R Grant Announced for Dixie Highway Master Plan Redevelopment Project
Congressman John Yarmuth, along with Mayor Greg Fischer and Governor Steve Beshear, have announced that Louisville will be the recipient of a $16.9 million U.S. Department of Transportation T.I.G.E.R. grant to support the redevelopment of the Dixie Highway corridor.
The T.I.G.E.R., Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, program was developed by Congress in 2009 to generate economic development and improve access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation for disconnected communities both urban and rural, while emphasizing improved connection to employment, education, services and other opportunities, workforce development, or community revitalization.
The Dixie Highway Master Plan was commissioned by members of the Metro Council to study the need for improvements along the corridor to help spur economic development and improve safety.
The estimated $35 million project, which currently runs from Oak Street to the Gene Snyder interchange, has already received over $15 million in funding from the state budget to proceed with design and construction.
Following the joint announcement, several members who have played critical roles in the progress of this project issued the following statements:
“I have worked tirelessly over the past several years to further the #DixieDoOver because I believe it will be transformative for the Dixie Corridor and Southwest Louisville. So many levels of government and civic organizations have supported this project and worked to build its momentum and I am thrilled to hear that the DH Project has been awarded this additional funding.” Rick Blackwell, District 12
“I am grateful that our efforts: from my colleagues on the Metro Council, Mayor Greg Fischer, the Louisville Forward Team, my colleagues in Frankfort and Congressman John Yarmuth have been heard loud and clear by the U.S. Department of Transportation about the importance of the Dixie Highway Redevelopment Plan to our city. This massive TIGER Grant will provide the essential funding needed to ensure the transformation of the largest economic corridor in our city. This investment will provide the safety improvements and economic development our Southwest community has longed deserved.” David Yates, District 25
“The announcement today is a fantastic step in the right direction for improving the Dixie Highway corridor by making it safer and more business friendly. I am pleased that the U.S. Department of Transportation sees this project as a worthwhile investment that will pay off for the people of Southwest Louisville. ” Cindi Fowler, District 14
“I am pleased to hear that this federal funding has been designated to continue with the long overdue work necessary for bringing Dixie Highway into the 21st Century. Motorists, pedestrians and others who use this important highway know it is time to make changes for safety and better mobility for the people in this vital area of Metro Louisville.” Mary Woolridge, District 3
“Dixie Highway is a vital transportation corridor that must move forward with improving transportation flow if we are to not only enhance economic development but keep the public safe. I appreciate the ream work on the local state and federal level to start making this project one that we will one day say is completed and innovative.” David James, District 6
Are you ready to start paying to cross the Ohio River between Louisville and Southern Indiana?
The $2.3B Ohio River Bridges Project will result in tolls for drivers crossing the Kennedy Bridge – which will be turned into a southbound-only route, the new downtown bridge next to the Kennedy, and a new upriver Prospect bridge that connects with Utica, Indiana. Drivers won’t start paying tolls until 2016, but transportation officials are ready to choose a toll operator this week to begin implementing the new system.
Rather than manned tollbooths, the automated system will use in-car transponders to pay tolls from a pre-paid toll account. Cameras with license plate recognition will be used to mail toll bills to drivers without an account.
The six finalists managing the toll operations include the 3M Company, Portuguese-based Brisa Inovacao e Tecnologia, S.A., Austrian Kapsch TrafficCom IVHS Inc. – which was selected earlier this year to provide transponders for the toll system, French Sanef Operations America Inc., TransCore LP of Nashville, and Xerox State & Local Solutions, Inc.
The result of this selection process would be a move toward final selection of the operator, who would oversee camera installation, violation processing and managing the toll-operations center. The recommended operator would then need to be approved by the Indiana Finance Authority.
