Where is Louisville going? What will Downtown become? Decisions are made every day that affect the economic, physical and social form of the city, and no matter how large or small those decisions are, each imposes a direction on Downtown Louisville’s future. Without a plan that provides a framework of ideas and ideals that are commonly agreed upon and clearly expressed, the individual decisions at best create an inappropriate downtown form, and at worst, create chaos. The 1990 and the 2002 Louisville Downtown Development Plans sought to establish and refine a condition where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
The 2002 Louisville Downtown Development Plan is the current adopted blueprint for the growth and development of Downtown. With the assistance from over 600 downtown stakeholders, consensus was reached on a set of 9 principles that serve as a guide for all downtown efforts and by which all investments should be judged against.
LDDC is starting the process to raise funds to undertake a full update of the Louisville Downtown Development Plan. The update will be the second full update of the Downtown Plan; the original Plan was completed in 1991 and was updated in 2002. These plans have served Louisville well, providing a blueprint for downtown's growth and development over the last 20 years. The previous two plans were living documents, generated with broad community input and officially adopted as the development guides for downtown. The guiding principles set out in the plans have served the community admirably, setting high standards for the growth and development of our downtown. From the publication of the 1991 document, implementation of the Plan's recommendations and policies was a key goal. The LDDC was given the charge to guarantee the implementation of the Plan, and to make sure that it was updated periodically and remained a living and relevant document. Many of the recommendations of the 2002 Plan have been realized. From our growth in market-rate housing to the public realm improvements along Main Street, from the expansion of downtown's activity generators to the development of the Medical Center, the Plan's vision has produced great results providing investment and jobs for our community. The LDDC and the community can take pride in downtown's forward steps. Yet, there is still much to do. New issues have emerged, priorities have evolved, and financial shifts have changed the world-wide landscape. New challenges and new opportunities present themselves and require the focused attention of a new planning effort. As with the development of the 1991 and 2002 Plans, funding of the update will require a partnership effort. We are seeking local foundation support for the effort. These new priorities and the economic shift caused by the world-wide financial crisis require that Louisville take a fresh look at downtown development. The update will build on the work completed in the two previous downtown plans, but will address both new and old issues within an in depth analytical approach. The preliminary program for the Plan includes the following: placemaking (urban design and connectivity) a vigorous and attainable sustainability plan, a retail strategy, market-rate housing creation strategy, growing business and jobs downtown through a likely focus on regional innovation clusters, a new downtown mobility plan(pedestrians, bicycles, and transit), and finally, a critical look at downtown's regulatory environment.
In early summer 2007, the Louisville Downtown Development Corporation initiated work on the first phase of the update to the 2002 Downtown Development Plan. The LDDC’s working title for the work is the “Connectivity Study.” The Connectivity Study examines the downtown neighborhood or context and connections between and among the new major development centers in downtown Louisville. The study was begun with the generous financial assistance of the Gheens Foundation. The firm of Chan Krieger Sienewicz, of Cambridge, served as the primary consultant for the initial design phase of the work.
With the initial planning, design and start of construction of the major development centers ongoing or pending, the opportunity exists to connect these districts through physical and development planning. The planning and design of the public infrastructure that connects these projects, if undertaken concurrently, can integrate these facilities and maximize their impact on the community. The Downtown Development Corporation – with the support of the City of Louisville and the Louisville Arena Authority, among others – considers this work as the first step toward the update of the 2002 Downtown Development Plan. This effort covers the area of downtown from Slugger Field west to the Hillerich and Bradsby factory/museum, and from the River south to Muhammad Ali Boulevard, and would include the following elements:
Planning and Zoning regulations for Downtown Louisville are governed by the Land Development Code for Jefferson County, Kentucky. The Development Code in Louisville is a form-based code, in that divides the county into specific form districts and each of those districts set forth regulations that promote development and redevelopment that is consistent and compatible with the unique and diverse design elements of that particular district. Downtown Louisville is regulated by the standards and regulations of the Downtown Form District, found in chapter 5 Part 2 of the Land Development Code.
http://www.louisvilleky.gov/PlanningDesign/ldc
http://www.louisvilleky.gov/PlanningDesign/Historic+Landmarks+and+Preservation+Districts+Commission
The Downtown Development Review Overlay was established by the City of Louisville Board of Aldermen in 1992 as a recommendation in the 1991 Louisville Downtown Development Plan. According to the Board, and again Metro Council in 2007, the Overlay’s specific task is to preserve, conserve and protect the “historical, cultural, architectural, aesthetic or other distinctive areas” of Downtown by the reviewing proposed developments in accordance with established principles and guidelines addressing elements such as “building setbacks along streets, open space, off-street parking, landscaping, paving, lighting and streetscape furnishings, fences and walls, signage and public amenities and, in addition, elements of urban design such as building and street wall character, and building mass and form.”
The guidelines are not intended to discourage development or to dictate architectural design or style, but to encourage such development that contributes to the overall design quality of the Downtown and each district.
They are intended to promote compatibility of new development with existing land use and design features, to enhance the Downtown’s visual quality, to preserve the Downtown’s commercial character with a pedestrian friendly environment and to strengthen the economic vitality of Downtown by encouraging new investment and further business, residential, and commercial development in appropriate locations in Downtown.
All development proposals within the Overlay shall comply with applicable guidelines. However, a proposal that does not conform to one or more specific guidelines may be approved by the Committee or its staff if they determine that the proposal is in conformance with the intent of the guidelines as a whole.
The principles and guidelines of the Downtown Development Review Overlay expand upon the requirements of the Land Development Code as necessary to achieve the objectives of these facets of urban design in recognition of a project’s specific location.
http://www.louisvilleky.gov/PlanningDesign/Downtown+Development+Review+Overlay.htm
When businesses in the Waterfront District decide to build new structures, renovate existing structures, change their signage or landscaping, or undertake any other exterior changes, those projects must gain approval through the Waterfront Review Overlay District (WRO) design review process. Almost all construction projects within the City require you to obtain a variety of permits and approvals prior to commencing work. If a project is located within the WRO District, the project must be reviewed and approved under the WRO process before a permit is obtained. The WRO Guide outlines the Design Review process and includes a section on "Getting Your Project Approved."
http://www.louisvillewaterfront.com/aboutUs/wroGuide/projectTips.html
The most valuable asset of downtown is its street; it is literally the life of downtown, and it should be designed in such a manner as to encourage and accommodate street life. The Downtown Development Corporation initiated a comprehensive analysis to evaluate the feasibility of converting one-way streets in downtown Louisville to two-way. The Study prepared by Entran transportation consultants was completed in October of 2009.
After a thorough analysis and public input, the following recommendations were made:
LDDC is working closely with the Department of Public Works and Assets on a funding and implementation plan. Click to view the full Two-Way Streets Study
In 2006 the Louisville Arena Authority asked DDC to research, articulate and capture the urban design issues associated with the arena. The Urban Design Guidelines helped shape the design of the arena’s Norton Healthcare Plaza into the great urban open space that it is today.
Designed by The Harpeth Group.