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Mayor Greg Fischer, North Lime Coffee & Donuts owner Joe Ross and representatives of Edison Center owner Weyland Ventures this morning celebrated the arrival of the North Lime Coffee & Donuts brand in Old Louisville. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the North Lime location, 1228 S. Seventh St., in front of the Edison Center.
The 3,000-square-foot building where North Lime Old Louisville operates had been vacant since 1982 and required a significant investment to make it useful for the donut shop. Louisville-based Weyland Ventures, which owns North Lime’s building as well as the neighboring Edison Center, shored up the structure and installed new plumbing and HVAC systems. North Lime’s owners worked with Lexington designer Ben Salley on further renovations that included installing new electrical systems, a commercial kitchen and additional plumbing to serve the shop’s coffee bar.
The goal was to create a cozy atmosphere that would make the place attractive as a community hangout. “We know we’re in the right spot with this location,” Ross said. “This building and the surrounding Old Louisville neighborhood have the same atmosphere as our first location in Lexington in the Limestone Neighborhood. We feel right at home.”
Mayor Fischer applauded the collaboration and investments by both North Lime’s owners and Weyland Ventures. “Teamwork like this is what enables ventures like North Lime to get a start in a new community,” Fischer said. “It also sets a good example for reuse of a property that has been offline for 36 years. Bringing life back to the Edison Center and to this adjacent building is a very positive turn of events.” The Edison Center, a former Louisville Gas & Electric Co. facility, was renovated by Weyland Ventures into an office complex. About 300 Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government employees were the first tenants in the building when it reopened in early 2016.
North Lime’s grand-opening celebration comes a few months after its doors opened to customers. Already the shop has built a following of loyal customers. “I can’t believe how quickly our business has grown,” said Trish Trimble, general manager of the Louisville location. “We have people come from all over town to try our donuts, and we’ve already made great friends with many Old Louisville residents who have been tremendous supporters.”
North Lime Coffee & Donuts is a welcome arrival in Old Louisville as it and the neighboring Edison Center strive to serve as a center of activity in the neighborhood. “From the beginning, our objective was to have the Edison Center host events and have activities that could be enjoyed by our tenants as well as neighboring residents,” said Mariah Weyland Gratz, CEO of Weyland Ventures. “We already see that happening with the NiteFlix outdoor movie series that’s being held this summer in the Edison Center parking lot. North Lime is among the vendors on site selling their donuts.”
Founded in Lexington, Ky., in 2012, North Lime Coffee & Donuts’ first location opened at 575 N. Limestone St. A second Lexington store operates at 3101 Clays Mill Road. The business was started by Ross, a former mortgage broker, Heidi Hays, an engineer, and Teddy Ray, a pastor. North Lime is known for its specialty, gourmet donuts that run the creative flavor gamut from raspberry lemonade to red, white and blueberry to a vegan chocolate chip pancake donut. Their products, based on secret family recipes, also include classics such as bear claws, cinnamon rolls, and glazed and chocolate-iced donuts.
The U.S. Water Alliance on Tuesday named Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer the 2018 winner of the U.S. Water Prize for Outstanding Public Official, citing his commitment to water workforce development.
The U.S. Water Alliance awards Water Prizes each year in six categories to celebrate outstanding achievement in the advancement of sustainable, integrated, and inclusive solutions to our nation’s water challenges. It is the preeminent national recognition program for exemplary efforts to secure a sustainable water future for all.
“I’m honored to accept this on behalf of Louisville and all our partners helping us innovate and care for one of our most important resources,” Mayor Fischer said.
Fischer received the prize in Minneapolis, Minn. during the One Water Summit, an annual event that brings together 875 water leaders from across the country. Community groups, water utilities, private sector companies, environmental and agricultural groups and others come to One Water Summit to participate in discussion and problem solving around our nation’s most pressing water problems.
The Alliance said Fischer had “contributed to substantial growth and advancement in the water sector both locally and nationally. He has championed multiple water-related initiatives, including the One Water Initiative, 100 Resilient Cities, Water System Regionalization, and the Louisville MSD Critical Repair and Re-investment Plan. Through these innovative initiatives, Mayor Fischer has improved customer service, identified revenue opportunities, and realized cost savings for the Louisville community. Mayor Fischer’s work illustrates his understanding that investment in our aging water, wastewater, and flood protection systems are part of the formula that will lead to a resilient Louisville.”
The One Water Initiative, designed to improve customer service and realize cost savings through the sharing of services among Louisville MSD and Louisville Water Company, has produced benefits, savings and revenue of nearly $12 million.
As part of 100 Resilient Cities, Louisville joined an initiative dedicated to helping cities around the world become more resilient to challenges including aging infrastructure and risks due to climate change. Mayor Fischer also supported Louisville MSD’s Critical Repair and Re-investment Plan that includes upgrading Louisville’s flood protection systems and addressing aging infrastructure county-wide.
For more information about the U.S. Water Alliance, visit http://uswateralliance.org
Mayor Greg Fischer today joined Metro Animal Services and Friends of Metro Animal Services (FOMAS) for the groundbreaking of a state-of-the-art animal care complex located at 3516 Newburg Road, which will replace the outdated shelter built in 1966.
“This modern, full-service animal shelter will help us provide the optimal care that our animals deserve,” Mayor Fischer said. “I’m pleased to see yet another sign of the tremendous progress we’re making as a city and another reflection of our core value of compassion.”
The 33,000-square-foot facility can house up to 235 animals. The nearly $11.5 million facility will include a Community Spay and Neuter clinic that will operate independently from the shelter, offering low-cost vaccinations and microchipping.
A modern veterinary wing that meets industry standards will include the shelter’s first X-ray machine and four surgery tables. The new facility also includes space specifically for small mammals.
The benefits of a new shelter are not limited to the building: It will allow LMAS to increase enrichment opportunities for shelter pets waiting to be adopted. The campus features six play yards compared to just one at the current shelter, as well as a half-mile walking track.
Grooming and photo rooms will ensure homeless shelter pets look their best for potential adopters viewing their online profiles.
“We’re not just building an animal shelter for today, we’re ensuring LMAS can meet the needs of Louisville’s homeless pet population in the future,” said Ozzy Gibson, director of LMAS. “This will be a shelter that citizens can be proud to support.”
Mayor Fischer said it was part of improvements and innovations at Animal Services, including programs such as the Pay It Forward free adoptions, that have helped increase the agency’s live release rate for both dogs and cats to over 90 percent, earning it “No Kill” status for time or space.
The new animal care facility, located next to Animal House Adoption Center which was built in 2009, is expected to be complete by late summer 2019.
Photo: Louisville Metro Government
Mayor Greg Fischer today announced that Louisville Metro Government (LMG) has entered into a development agreement with The Marian Group for the redevelopment of the former Urban Government Center (UGC) site.
The Urban Government Center is an 11.85 acre site consisting of four buildings that have served as government offices for the last several decades. 810 Barret, the most prominent of the buildings on site, is a 7-story structure constructed in 1924 as the Kentucky Baptist Hospital; annexes were added to the building at later dates to form an entrance area and elevator shaft. The remainder of the site consists of a 4-story building constructed in 1940 as housing for nursing students, a 3-story structure erected in the mid- to late-1990’s that housed offices for Louisville’s Air Pollution Control District, and a small steam plant featuring a smokestack constructed with the original Kentucky Baptist Hospital.
“The former Urban Government Center site has long been a staple in the Paristown Pointe neighborhood,” said the Mayor. “I’m pleased to have entered into a development agreement with The Marian Group who shares our vision for this project to bring activity back to this historic site for the neighborhood to enjoy for generations to come.
The project features diverse housing options including townhomes, shotgun-style single family homes, multi-family rental units, and condo flats. Additionally, The Marian Group plans to include several types of affordable housing, including a Family Scholar House campus. The development will feature office and commercial space.
“We are excited to have signed this development agreement with the City and are ready to move forward with the first phase of this fantastic project,” said Marian principal Justin Brown. “It represents what is great about our city and this neighborhood—mixed-use, mixed-income, intergenerational, and interconnected.”
The Marian Group has sent out notice to the local community that it will be having its first neighborhood meeting on Wednesday, July 25 regarding its plan for the redevelopment of the current Vine Street parking lot into a collection of modern shotgun houses. Additionally, The Marian Group will file that plan with the City soon for planning review.
Marian principal Jake Brown added, “Paristown Pointe is a vital urban neighborhood and we are proud to be adding a new story to its already rich community narrative. Our family and our company have deep roots in the nearby neighborhoods and we are honored to spread those roots into Paristown Pointe.”
Phase 1 of the project includes the development of 22 homes to be built on a portion of the Vine Street Lot, located to the east of Breckinridge Street and to the west of Barret Ave. A farmer’s market space and a pedestrian connection will be constructed on the site, with the remaining area of the Vine Street Lot being retained by LMG to continue the existing community garden in partnership with the neighborhood. Preliminary site work will begin immediately with an official groundbreaking ceremony to be held at a later date.
Phase 2 of the project includes the development of a Family Scholar House, retail, office and mixed-use residential to be located on the balance of the main site bordered by Barret Ave., E. Breckinridge and Vine streets.
“Good things come to those who wait and I’m optimistic in the fullness of time this project will be as much a benefit to the Paristown Pointe neighborhood as many expect it to be,” said Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith, D-4. “We’re hopeful that The Marian Group’s performance will exceed its promises including a park, walkways and good looking architecture consistent with the beautiful neighborhood.”
In addition, the development will bring community benefits such as multi-use connections between Breckinridge and Vine streets for pedestrian and bicycle use, preservation of existing mature native species trees, the addition of green roofs and the reuse of existing building materials where appropriate.
“The proposed project by the Marian Group to convert the Urban Government Center into a mixed use housing, retail and community development is a real positive for the Paristown Pointe neighborhood,” said Councilman Pat Mulvihill, D-10. “I hope this project will be transformational in creating continued investment and interest in the flourishing Barret Avenue corridor.”
The selection of The Marian Group was announced in December 2017 after this extensive community engagement process that included multiple on-site public meetings to hear the concerns and values of people from Paristown Pointe and area neighborhoods. In their proposals, development teams were asked to incorporate what was heard at public meetings.
The Marian Group’s proposal aligns with community priorities expressed during an extensive public engagement period. These priorities include:
Preservation of green space and an existing community garden;
- Creation of new housing choices at multiple price points;
- Ability of the site to support multi-modal transportation options, including transit and bicycle;
- Reuse of existing facilities and materials;
- Incorporation of community gathering spaces; and,
- Use of innovative building and site management techniques to make the development a model of sustainability.
An evaluation panel of both LMG staff and members of the community was formed to review all five proposals submitted and to make a recommendation to Louisville Forward. The evaluation panel used scoresheets to review each proposal.
In the evaluation panel, Lizabeth Calenberg, Mary Hardesty, Debbie Hoblitzell and Chuck Woodall represented the community and Deborah Bilitski (former Director of Develop Louisville), Gabe Fritz (Director of Housing & Community Development), Daniel Frockt (Chief Financial Officer), Gretchen Milliken (Director of Advanced Planning) and Allison Smith (Brownfields Program Manager) represented LMG.
To view the development agreement, determination and findings, evaluation panel scoresheets, and more please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/urban-government-c…
Credit: Louisville Metro Police
Former U.S. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey’s 90-page report on allegations surrounding the Louisville Metro Police Department Explorer program found the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) made mistakes in oversight of the program and in its investigation of the allegations, but concluded there was “no ongoing, orchestrated effort to cover up misconduct.”
Mayor Greg Fischer, who ordered the Harvey investigation after learning the extent of the allegations last year, said, “As I said when I ordered this investigation, we have to get to the bottom of these disturbing allegations — for ourselves, for our citizens, for the thousands of LMPD officers who are honest, compassionate, courageous people of integrity. We need to know the truth. And, most importantly, for the victims of anyone who may have committed a crime while wearing an LMPD uniform.”
Mayor Fischer had instructed Mr. Harvey to evaluate five issues:
- A review of the internal processes, policies and procedures concerning the Explorers program;
- A review of whether any employment laws may have been violated;
- A review of whether any ethics laws may have been violated;
- The sufficiency of the checks and balances within the LMPD professional standards and public integrity components; and
- A timeline showing when information or accusations were first shown, to whom same were reported, as well as subsequent actions and whether such actions followed Metro practices and policies.
An initial review finds that the report includes background on the program, facts about the cases against former LMPD officers Brandon Wood and Kenneth Betts, and a narrative on the Harvey investigation.
It concludes, “Our review leads us to conclude that mistakes were made and policy was not rigidly followed. We also reviewed the work of many LMPD officers striving mightily to do the right thing in the right way. While we do not believe that there was, as some have asserted, a massive coverup of misconduct in the senior ranks of the LMPD, there are lessons to be learned from this episode.”
The report also includes a section on false rumors, and found the following:
- “The investigative team has confirmed that no public funds have been paid to settle any claims related to the Explorer program.” (Page 60)
- “Chief [Steve] Conrad did nothing to prematurely end or limit the 2013 PSU investigation.” (Page 60)
Regarding a rumor that the Mayor’s office interfered with the 2016 investigation, the report found, “Chief Conrad believes that he told Deputy Mayor [Ellen] Hesen about the 2013 PSU Betts investigation in late 2013 or early 2014 during one of their regular meetings.” He said he did not have a special meeting to discuss the matter with her, but “in passing” shared that there was a PSU matter involving an inappropriate text message exchange with a teenager. This occurred, he said, after subordinates told him there appeared to be no criminal conduct on Betts’ part. He said he had no discussion of this matter with Mayor Fischer. (Page 60)
“We conclude that the suggestion that Deputy Mayor Hesen, or anyone else in the Mayor’s office, demanded weekly or regularly scheduled briefings from the PIU detectives is false.” (Page 67)
The report also says that Harvey’s team interviewed Mayor Fischer twice. “Mayor Fischer learned of the Betts and Wood misconduct in October 2016. He requested and received a briefing from PIU in November 2016.” It notes that the Mayor directed an internal review into the Explorer program in March 2017, along with an FBI investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct within the program.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The report touched on the potential for resuming the LMPD Explorer Program, but both Chief Conrad and Mayor Fischer said today that there is no plan to resume the program.
Regarding the operation of the Special Investigations Division, the report makes these recommendations:
- Conflicts of Interest: “Adopt a rigorous conflicts of interest policy for the Special Investigations Division.”
- Legal review of PSU determinations: “We recommend that a policy be implemented requiring a review by attorneys, presumably prosecutors with the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, in PSU matters involving serious allegations of misconduct.”
- Consider term-limiting assignments to the Special Investigations Division.
The report includes redactions, made by the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office and lawyers for the Mayor and the Louisville Metro Council, of content that:
- Would be in conflict to federal court orders;
- Would be in violation of state or federal statutes if released; or
- Could identify victims.
After his initial review of the report, Mayor Fischer said, “I am deeply angry about the disturbing allegations of abuse against children outlined in the report, as well as violations of the community’s trust. It is also clear that mistakes were made and must be addressed.”
The Mayor said he and his team, including Chief Conrad, would further review the report and quickly begin implementing appropriate changes.
The Mayor also noted that his office has not waited for this report to take action, including ordering a separate review of all city programs that involve children and teenagers, to ensure adequate steps are in place to protect youth. After that review was completed in March, the city announced it is expanding its internal policies to better prevent and respond to child abuse in any youth-serving program. He also, along with Council President David James, asked the FBI’s Louisville office to investigate potential violations of federal law related to the allegations. That investigation is ongoing.
Mayor Fischer thanked Mr. Harvey and his team for their work. “Our utmost goal with this report was the truth,” Mayor Fischer said. “I appreciate their diligence and hard work, which gets us one step closer to the justice.
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
Mayor Greg Fischer was presented a Health Leadership Award yesterday at the opening dinner of the US Conference of Mayors 86th annual meeting in Boston. The award was presented by CityHealth, an initiative of the de Beaumont Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, that regularly evaluates the nation’s 40 largest cities on the number and strength of their policies that help people live longer, better lives.
Louisville was one of only nine cities recognized for health leadership at the event.
In its annual health rankings released May 22, CityHealth awarded Louisville a bronze medal overall, meaning the city has a bronze, silver or gold medal in four of the nine CityHealth policies: affordable housing, alcohol sales control, complete streets, earned sick leave, food safety/restaurant grading, healthy food procurement, high-quality universal pre-kindergarten, smoke-free indoor air, and having a minimum legal age of 21 for purchase of tobacco products.
Louisville is one of only five cities nationwide that increased its overall medal status in 2018.
Over the past year Louisville strengthened its smoke-free indoor air ordinance by prohibiting the smoking or vaping electronic cigarettes as well as hookah. The city was also recognized for instituting a healthy vending policy, as well as a restaurant grading system that requires food establishments to post their food inspection grade where customers can see it.
“This award affirms the work my administration has been focused on since day 1: that we become a healthier city,” Mayor Fischer said. “We know that policy has a tremendous impact on how healthy the people of our city can be. That’s why we adopted a health in all policies approach to all that we do. It’s great to see our efforts having positive results, and we will continue working toward that overall goal of creating a culture of health.”
