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Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilman Brandon Coan (D-8) will host the last in a series of meetings for public discussion on the proposed Highlands Management District on Monday, April 2nd.
“We have had very good turnout and discussions about the proposed business improvement district for the Highlands. I want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about what is being proposed as we move forward,” says Coan.
The last meeting will be held at the Douglass Community Center Gymnasium beginning at 6:00pm. The Community center is located at 2305 Douglass Blvd.
Councilman Coan believes the proposal to establish a Highlands Management District is a transformational opportunity to make Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue safer and cleaner, and to ensure the economic vitality and sustainability of District 8’s – and Louisville’s – premier commercial corridor.
To learn more about the proposal go to: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council-district-8/highlands-m…
For more information about the meeting, contact Councilman Coan’s office at 574-1108.
Mayor Fischer, the Southwest Dream Team and Metro Council members were joined by local business owners and residents to unveil the 2018 edition of the South Points Scenic Area Map. It is the fourth rendition of the map, which has expanded its outreach year over year to include more local businesses and attractions, including this year, Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay.
Also new to this year’s map is an inaugural food district, called “Dine South Points,” which highlights the cultural eateries of the South Points Scenic Area, near Iroquois Park and south to Fairdale. Some new restaurants to be featured in the food district are: Vietnam Kitchen, Binh Phuoc Market, Cocoberry Pops, Shack in the Back BBQ, Golden Wall, La Riviera Maya, Sunergos Coffee and Vietnam Oriental Food Market.
The diverse range of businesses included in the map shines light on the wealth of cultural diversity that lies within the South Points Scenic Area. Louisville Metro and the Southwest Dream Team are proud to support these businesses and invite new businesses to consider participating in next year’s map.
“South and southwest Louisville continues to experience positive economic development, and is a tremendous source of pride for our entire community,” said Fischer. “The number of locally owned businesses and attractions continues to grow, with attractions serving residents and visitors from near and far.”
It is the mission of the Southwest Dream Team to promote economic development in south and southwest Louisville. The South Points Scenic Area was created in 2013 to promote the many tourism-related business and cultural and natural attractions that the area has to offer.
”The Southwest Dream Team is celebrating 10 years of continued efforts to make Southwest Louisville a healthier and more prosperous region of Louisville, and is currently in a strategic planning period,” says Vince Jarboe, President of the Southwest Dream Team. Jarboe also announced their recent hiring of an Executive Director, Charlotte Caldwell, who has extensive experience in nonprofits through her service as an AmeriCorps VISTA and volunteering on several committees for various nonprofits. “The Southwest Dream Team thanks the sponsors and Metro Council members who have been supporting us since the inception of the South Points Scenic Area.”
A mobile version of the map can be viewed at www.southpoints.org, and @SPScenicArea on Facebook and Twitter. For more information and to join the conversation visit www.swdreamteam.org, and follow @SWDT on Twitter to stay updated on the work of the Southwest Dream Team
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilwoman Jessica Green (D-1) Chair of the Louisville Metro Council’s Public Safety Committee, is calling on Senators of the Kentucky General Assembly to put an end to House Bill 169, the so call Gang Violence Prevention Act.
“This legislation is a duplication of existing statutes. We already have criminal syndication, complicity, and conspiracy statutes on the book. These statutes frequently aid law enforcement and prosecutors who work everyday to keep our communities safe.
HB 169 seeks to gain political points, with little concern to the cost of taxpayers, already existing law, or how this legislation has the ability to hyper-criminalize certain neighborhoods. This legislation would take away the discretion of prosecutors and judges in sentencing, which is such an important part of the system.
Justice and Public Safety Secretary John Tilley says that Kentucky’s prisons and jails will be out of room by May of 2019, if not before then, if things do not change.” says Green. “I encourage the Senate to vote no and if it should make to Governor Bevin’s desk, he should have his veto pen handy and use it.”
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
She is no stranger to standing up for what’s right and staring down those who would deny civil rights. Ms. Mattie Jones has worked tirelessly throughout her life as a freedom fighter and has battled injustice, brutality, inequality, and discrimination in Louisville and anywhere the fight took her for over six decades.
On Wednesday, March 28th, Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5) will join Ms. Jones and members of her family and friends to unveil an honorary sign on the block where she lives as a tribute to her accomplishments and efforts for advancing civil rights in Metro Louisville.
“Mattie Jones is an icon locally in the fight for civil rights. She has spoken out and then encouraged others to join the cause to make significant change where needed for everyone,” says Councilwoman Hamilton. “As we see younger generations today rise up to speak out on violence and ask for unity, they are following an example Mattie Jones has practiced since she became an active voice for those with no voice in Metro Louisville.”
Mattie Florence Johnson was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1933 and then moved to Louisville with her family in 1940. She is a graduate of Central High School and attended Indiana University, Morgan State University, and Spalding University.
She married Turner Harris Jones and between 1957 and 1998 they raised eight biological children, one adopted child, over 100 foster children, 23 grandchildren, and 31 great grandchildren.
Her path as a leader in civil rights began in 1975 she became active with the Kentucky Alliance against Racist and Political Repression where she served as Executive Director from 1980 to 1989.
In 1990, Ms. Mattie Jones became the Racial and Economic Justice Coordinator for the Fellowship of Reconciliation located in Nyack, New York, where during her time there she organized the Women of Color in the Workplace conference addressing the issues of sex discrimination, equitable employment.
Her unwavering commitment to equality and justice led her to the Justice Resource Center in Louisville in 2000 where she continued to fight alongside Reverend Louis Coleman.
On February 8th, The Louisville Metro Council approved a Resolution calling for the placement of two honorary street signs at the corner of Louis Coleman Jr Drive and River Park Drive and one at the corner of 35th Street and River Park Drive to be designated as “Mattie F. Jones Way.”
The unveiling ceremony for the signs will take place beginning at 5:00pm at the corner of Louis Coleman Jr. Drive at River Park Drive.
The public is invited to attend.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilman Brandon Coan (D-8) will host the first in a series of meetings for public discussion on the proposed Highlands Management District on Monday, March 26th.
“We spent more than a year researching and planning for a business improvement district for the Highlands.” Now it is time to bring people together and let them ask questions and explain how this proposal will move forward,” says Coan. “I encourage everyone to come out and take advantage of these meetings.”
The first meeting is set for HopCat on Monday, March 26th at 1064 Bardstown Rd beginning at 1:00pm.
The next two meetings are at:
- The Highlands-Shelby Park Library (inside the Mid City Mall) Thursday, March 29, 6 pm
- The Douglass Community Center Gymnasium Monday, April 2, 6 pm
Councilman Coan believes the proposal to establish a Highlands Management District is a transformational opportunity to make Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue safer and cleaner, and to ensure the economic vitality and sustainability of District 8’s – and Louisville’s – premier commercial corridor.
To learn more about the proposal go to: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council-district-8/highlands-m…
For more information about the meetings, contact Councilman Coan’s office at 574-1108.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
President David James (D-6) will join representatives of MSD, Brightside, MSD, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians for the next phase of Planting O the Green on Saturday. March 24th.
This year, the President is partnering with Councilman Brandon Coan (D-8) to plant a total of 90 new trees this year.
“There may be snow on the ground now, it won’t last. A tree can last for many years and at the same time help our environment and make a neighborhood a beautiful place to live,” says James.
In District 6, 45 trees will be planted on E. St. Catherine between 2nd and Preston beginning at 9:00am. In District 8, the trees have already been plated in the green space along Gardiner Lane in the Hawthorne neighborhood abutting I-264.
“Planting O’ the Green is part of my goal to plant one tree in District 8 and another tree somewhere else in the city every day. I commend President James and District 6 for joining our partnership,” says Coan.
“TreesLouisville is thrilled to be a primary sponsor of the Planting O’ the Green,” TreesLouisville Executive Director Cindi Sullivan said. “Our vision is a healthier community for current and future generations through a more robust tree canopy and collaborations like this one are an excellent way to make progress.”
“Brightside is very happy to be a part of another Planting O’ The Green,” Brightside Director Gina O’Brien said. “Trees are a terrific investment in our communities that will positively affect the health of Louisville’s residents, environment and economy. Districts 6 and 8 will reap the benefits of these trees for years to come.”
John O’Dwyer, President of the Father Abram J. Ryan Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, reflected on the meaning of the St. Patrick’s Parade and the impact of Planting O’ The Green.
“The Hibernians strive to open the spring season each year with the St. Patrick’s Parade, often called the People’s Parade, and it is a time for fun and community. Now we are making the Greenest Parade even greener as the next evolution of this charity event to give back to our fine city,” O’Dwyer said.
For more information about Planting O’ the Green, contact President James’ office at 574-1106.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
President David James invites residents of District 6 to come out to the next “Talk with David” on Saturday, March 24th. It’s an opportunity to meet with the Councilman and talk about any issue or concern from residents in an informal, relaxed setting.
“I am encouraging everyone to come out and just talk with me on a Saturday morning,” says James. “This is another way to let me know what is on your mind and how I can better serve as your Metro Councilman.”
“Talk with David” will be held at the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council, 1340 South 4th Street. The event begins at 10:00am.
“If you have a concern, come and talk to me about it. Not everyone has time during the week to come down to City Hall to talk things over,” says James. “If nothing else, just drop by and say hi!”
Refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome.
For more information about “Talk with David “, contact Councilman James’ office at 574-1106.
