Second Street Streetscape Improvements

The area of Second Street between Main Street and River Road is one of Downtown’s most unique urban spaces. Under the shadow of the historic Second Street bridge, the gateway to Washington Street’s intimate scale, and at the threshold of a major pedestrian entrance to the new arena, the area has long been a dark and inhospitable place dominated by quickly moving through-traffic. Soon, however, the area will complete its transformation into a pedestrian-friendly festival and gathering space with decorative lighting fixtures affixed to the bridge structure, new sidewalks and street features, and a plaza area in front of the arena entrance.

For the past several years, the DDC has worked in partnership with the Arena Authority, Waterfront Development Corporation, local stakeholders and neighbor business, property owners and corporations, as well as the public at large to inform the design and connectivity of the arena. This was initially accomplished through an Urban Design forum that suggested guidelines for building design and relationship to Downtown, then through DDC’s work on the plaza design to better integrate it into the developing and existing urban grid.

The Second Street Streetscape Improvement project is an outgrowth of that work. Second Street functioned largely as a barrier in its former form, and DDC recognized its value, not only to connecting the Arena to downtown and the Waterfront, but also as a potential economic catalyst and infrastructure asset. In the spring of 2009, DDC wrote an application on behalf of Louisville Metro for a Transportation Enhancement grant to reinvent the landscape. A $2.4 million grant, matched with Louisville Metro funds of $600,000 was awarded in late summer of 2009. DDC began design work on the project with Carman, a landscape architecture firm, stressing the following design principles:

· Provide a safe, attractive space for pedestrians, both during arena events and during the course of an average day

· Provide opportunity for festival spaces, and public gatherings

· Provide regular and event-related traffic with improved navigation, converting Second Street from River Road to Washington Street to two-way

· Use innovative and decorative lighting to accentuate the bridge structure

· Use Second Street to strengthen and emphasize Downtown’s connection to Waterfront Park

Construction on the project began, with DDC as project manager, in early May. Work is expected to be complete by the opening of the KFC YUM! Center, October 10^th. Roll curbs will replace traditional curbs to allow the area to more seamlessly transition, a platform that can function as seating or performance space will be added, as will additional seatwall seating and concrete “ottomans” that frame a ‘lounge’ space closer to the plaza area. Planters with bamboo will provide much-needed foliage and lighting improvements will make the entire area more warm and inviting. On Washington Street, the first section of the street will see new pavers and road surfaces, and similar improvements to lighting and decorative elements. On both streets, banners and historic markers will celebrate the area’s storied history as Whiskey Row, Louisville’s bourbon warehouse district.

In designing the space, DDC placed a strong emphasis on the principals of the 2002 Downtown Plan, ensuring a lively, vivacious space that has already sparked area economic development.

Whiskey Row

Whiskey Row is a 110,000 square-foot mixed-use project located on Main Street, just east of the KFC YUM! Center. Two grand Nineteenth Century buildings are being transformed into an $18 Million project with 38 apartments and live work units, office, event and retail space and 20 parking spaces. The Downtown Housing Fund, a revolving loan fund managed by the DDC and in place to spur market-rate housing in downtown, participated in the financing of Whiskey Row Lofts through a $900,000 loan to the developers. Whiskey Row has restaurant spaces on Main Street and Washington Street. Two restaurants, Sol Aztecas and Hog and Char, will open on Main Street this fall.

KFC Yum! Center

The KFC YUM Center will open in October of this year, bringing energy and excitement to Main Street. The 700,000 plus square feet, KFC YUM! Center includes 22,000 seats, 15,000 square feet of retail space, 750 parking spaces and a 1.5 acre plaza facing Main Street. DDC worked closely with the Louisville Arena Authority in the preparation of the program for the arena urban design elements and the design of the plaza, especially in the design of the portion of the plaza that connects with Main Street. The plaza is designed in a tiered fashion, allowing for large and small events and gatherings. The design allows for the plaza to be inviting at all times – during events and at times when most activity is along Main Street. The plaza provides east/west connection to its surrounding blocks, integrally connecting the YUM Center to the city. The arena’s connection to Second Street at Washington Street was a direct outflow of the Urban Design Guidelines and the community’s Urban Design Forum which was funded, prepared, and conducted by the DDC.DDC has also played an important role in project facilitation, working with the Authority, adjacent property owners, public entities and other shareholders on many aspects of financing, development, construction, logistics and operational issues such as traffic management.

Downtown Streetscape Improvements on Main Street Underway

Over the past several weeks Main Street has seen a flurry of activity as an exciting ARRA Stimulus streetscape improvement project broke ground. Main Street’s upgrade this summer will include new sidewalks and curbs as well an improvement to the pedestrian street lighting. As an agent for Metro Government, and a representative of the Private Sector downtown, DDC worked with landscape architecture firm Carman and engineering firm HDR to design the improvements and is coordinating with Metro Public Works on their implementation.

Damaged sidewalks between Preston and 5^th Streets will be repaired and replaced with pavers and historic mix concrete. Deteriorated concrete curbs will be replaced with granite, a more durable and long term cost saving material. The improved street lighting will be added between Preston and 9^th Streets. Old lights will be replaced with more efficient and bright street lights. Blocks east of 2^nd Street, currently without pedestrian lighting, will be brought up to the same standard as the rest of Main Street.

Part of DDC’s master plan for downtown calls for creating a sense of place for East Main Street and to:

“Link and extend the pedestrian-oriented character of West Main Street, shortening the psychological distance separating East and West Main Streets.” -2002 Louisville Downtown Development Plan

The ARRA Stimulus program allowed Louisville Metro and DDC to implement these improvements during economically difficult time in the construction industry. The projects are contributing to dozens of jobs in the Metro area.

This effort to tie together East Main and Slugger Field with West Main will provide a better connection to the KFC YUM! Center, helping maximize the impact of the arena, provide a more functional and safe experience for downtown workers, and benefit existing businesses in this district and the rest of downtown.

Streetscape Improvements on Main Street Begun

Damaged sidewalks between Preston and 5^th will be repaired and replaced with pavers and historic mix concrete. Deteriorated concrete curbs will be replaced with granite, a more durable and long term cost saving material. The improved street lighting will be added between Preston St. and 9^th St. Old lights will be replaced with more efficient and bright street lights. Blocks east of 2^nd St. currently without pedestrian lighting will be brought up to the same standard as the rest of Main St.

Part of DDC’s master plan for downtown calls for creating a sense of place for East Main St and to:

“Link and extend the pedestrian-oriented character of West Main Street, shortening the psychological distance separating East and West Main Streets.” -2002 Louisville Downtown Development Plan

This effort to tie together East Main and Slugger Field with West Main will provide a better connection to the KFC YUM Center, helping maximize the impact of the arena, provide a more functional and safe experience for downtown workers and benefit existing businesses in this district and the rest of downtown.

Downtown Commercial Development Fund

The DDC Board of Directors approved moving forward with a Downtown Commercial Loan program. The new loan program will be designed to help the development community with gap financing of projects in downtown Louisville. Since obtaining financing for projects is challenging in this post- recessionary environment, the DDC Board has decided to direct staff to move forward with a new loan program that will be seeded with $500,000 from DDC. DDC’s goal is to leverage other private sector financing for this initiative. This new Commercial Loan program will work in combination with the Downtown Housing Assistance Fund to assist with mixed use projects in downtown. DDC staff is currently working on the implementation of this initiative.

DDC Board approves private sector fundraising initiative

The DDC Board also approved moving forward with an aggressive private sector fundraising initiative to improve the development of downtown. Funds raised with this initiative will go to key downtown development projects that bring about job growth for Metro Louisville. For example, DDC will be starting the new 10 year Master Plan and will be launching the new Downtown Commercial Loan Program. This initiative will be commencing this summer.

Downtown Trolley is Free and Frequent for the Summer

DDC joined with TARC, LDMD, LCVB, the Kentucky International Convention Center, and Humana, to save the Fourth Street trolley from its demise. The Trolley was to be discontinued as part of TARC’s plan to address its budget shortfall. The six organizations pooled funds to provide free and frequent summer service on both the Fourth Street and the Main and Market Streets trolleys. The Trolley has long been an icon for downtown, helping to move workers, visitors and residents to key locations. History has shown that the trolley is used more when it is free and is running often. The summer months will be used to test the success of the free trolley service, survey businesses and property owners about their interest in the trolley and to develop a plan for the future funding and operation of the trolley. Spread the word about Free and Frequent Trolleys and take a ride.

100 Block of West Main

The 100 Block of West Main is a critical block in the revitalization of Downtown Louisville and its Waterfront. The block sits as a major gateway to downtown and is literally next door to the KFC YUM Center and on the edge of Waterfront Park. The block is filled with buildings dating back to 1850 and the Main Street face is graced with ornate late 19^th Century cast iron and stone facades. Many of Louisville’s strongest industries have roots in this block. From Bourbon to hardware to the original Galt House and the offices of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, the block’s history reflects Louisville economic strength during the late 1800s and early 1900s. With one project opening last winter – Patrick O’Sheas -- and another under construction – Whiskey Row – about one third of the block is well on its way to renewal. Seven buildings on the Western end of the block were part of the 2007 announcement for the Iron Quarter project – a mixed-use development. The project was delayed by the recession and the buildings have fallen into disrepair. The owner of the buildings and site, a member of the Board of the Downtown Development Corporation, has asked the City to issue an emergency demolition permit for the seven buildings. The City has denied that the buildings are in imminent danger of collapse and has asked the owner to stabilize the buildings. Concurrently, the preservationist community has petitioned the Louisville Landmarks Commission to designate the seven buildings and the neighboring building at 121 West Main, as Landmarks. That process is underway. DDC has played a role assessing the condition of the buildings and continues to work on a positive outcome for this critical site.

Benchmarking

DDC presented its strategic plan to the Metro Council. One element of this plan is to Benchmark key indicators of downtown Louisville in an attempt to measure progress more clearly. A list of future indicators being tracked is included for your review. DDC would like to get your comments and feedback on these measurements. Please let us know what you think.

Development
Fiscal Impact of Downtown
Develoment Projects
Development Type
Invetment Downtown

Business Environment
Businesses
Industry Clusters
Employment
Office Space

Housing
Residents
Households
Units
Unit Type

Transportation
Parking
TARC
Pedestiran Counts
Bicycle Information

Arts and Culture
Museums/History Centers
Galleries
Theaters
Public Art
Sports Venues

Public Realm
Open Spaces
Open Spaces Investment
LEED Buildings
Trees Downtown
Streetscape Improvements

Bio-Medical
Hospitals
Employees
Investment
Commercialization

Tourism
Hotel Statistics
Conventions
Visitors

Education
Schools
Investment
Students
Faculty
Research Dollar Investment

It all starts with the Nucleus

DDC is committed to a world class Medical Center in downtown Louisville. The vitality of this Center, along with its cutting edge research and business development ideas, generates new employment opportunities in downtown for all of Metro Louisville. That is why DDC is so excited about a new Medical Research Facility that is planned for the old Haymarket Site on E. Market Street in downtown Louisville. DDC is working with Nucleus and Greater Louisville Inc. to make this a huge success for downtown and Metro Louisville.

Downtown Beautification

The past two weeks was an exciting time in Downtown Louisville, for we played host to thousands of teenagers representing the DECA conference and then the City welcomed the Kentucky Derby Festival and greeted guests from around the world descending on Louisville for another exciting Run for the Roses.

Prior to the arrival of Louisville’s Derby guests, 13,000 teenagers arrived from around the nation, and the world, to take part in the DECA International Career Development Conference. The conference had an estimated $20 million impact on Louisville. Downtown museums, restaurants, Slugger Field and other venues were visited over the five-day conference. Locally, the class and respectfulness of the teenagers was pointed out by multiple people downtown, noting they are certainly welcome guests any time. Also, thanks to the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau, who helped orchestrate events during one of the most hectic and exciting times in Louisville all year.

The success over the past several weeks can be attributed to many people; however, several of our downtown partners, in particular, helped make our streets, sidewalks and downtown look beautiful. Operation Brightside brought together 600volunteers for a Pre-Derby Cleanup to weed, mulch and pick up litter around downtown. PNC, and individual Brightside donors, made the cleanup possible by providing bags, gloves, tools, mulch and T-shirts. KFC/Yum! Brands and Coca-Cola also provided lunch to the volunteers. Teams comprised of downtown employees, as well as participants from all around Metro Louisville, helped get downtown ready this spring for visitors, and residents alike, in this great event sponsored by Operation Brightside.

Downtown beautification is also supplemented on a daily basis by the great staff of the Louisville Downtown Management District (LDMD), downtown’s business improvement district. The clean team gathered litter; the safety team added extra patrols, and ambassadorial services helped welcome and guide the tens of thousands of visitors to downtown the past two weeks. In addition to LDMD’s on-street work that helps keep downtown looking great, they also help market downtown to future residents, businesses and guests.

Thank you and congratulations to everyone who partners together to make Downtown Louisville the place to live, work, and play, both during the Derby season and year round. The Downtown Development Corporation mission is to help generate job growth and investment growth for Downtown Louisville. One example of that mission is by coordinating with our partners for successful events.

Main Street Video

Louisville's West Main Street, with its extraordinary collection of Victorian cast-iron historic facades combined with striking contemporary architecture, has experienced a dramatic renaissance over the past decade, and has become one of the most creative arts-inspired cultural districts in the nation. With its unique streetscape program and a collection of museums and cultural institutions celebrating such icons as Muhammad Ali and the Louisville Slugger, West Main Street has become a true destination, and both residents and visitors are enjoying its vitality and creative energy, from its 120 foot bat to the red penguins roaming its rooftops.

Call (502) 584-6000 to order a copy of the DVD..

Downtown in the News