Louisville does have the real potential and if my pics would upload from my camera i would put some of waterfront park and downtown b/c in my opinion it is like a masterpiece of art and urbanity in a beautiful setting and yes even at like 11:00 at night the park and downtown streets were packed last night.

What the hell I thought this thread was about development. After 26 pages i would have thought Lousiville was the 8th wonder of the world.

In my opinion, downtown Louisville has the very real potential to be better than downtown Indy. If the arena is built at the old water company site, that would put it much closer to the epicenter of downtown Louisville than Conseco is to the epicenter of downtown Indianapolis. Also, I hate the fact that so much of the retail/dining/entertainment is downtown Indy is located in an indoor suburban-style mall.

Conseco Fieldhouse is three blocks from Monument Circle. So, I dont see how the old water company site would be "much closer" to the epicenter. Then again, it doesnt even make a difference, as long as its in downtown. As for so much of the retail/dining/entertainment being in Circle Centre, thats just true for retail. You are not going to get the number of stores in Circle Centre and not have it in a mall. Comparing Fourth Street Live to Circle Centre is comparing apples to oranges. Circle Centre is mostly retail with over 100 stores. Fourth Street Live is mostly restaurants and bars with less than 10 stores.

As for dining, Circle Centre has maybe 2% of the restaurants in downtown Indy, so I have no idea where you get the idea that its all in Circle Centre. As for entertainment,the only "entertainment" in Circle center is a movie theater and some virtual reality arcade. So pretty much next to nothing, not "so much" of the entertainment as you put it.

Conseco may be only three blocks from Monument Circle but the old water comany site is literally the next block over from Fourth Street Live.

My point about Circle Center is that it is essentially a suburban indoor mall plopped down in the heart of downtown, while Fourth Street Live is an urban town square in the heart of downtown.

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Conseco may be only three blocks from Monument Circle but the old water comany site is literally the next block over from Fourth Street Live.

My point about Circle Center is that it is essentially a suburban indoor mall plopped down in the heart of downtown, while Fourth Street Live is an urban town square in the heart of downtown.


Well, you have to admit that they planned Indy very well. Cheesy, "suburban looking", whatever you want to call it, downtown Indy is still very nice and impressive. I do feel in less than two years the VITALITY of downtown Louisville may have already surpassed that of other regional cities like Cincy-- when you factor out the stadiums and the crowds they draw. Personally, I think it is great that Indy, and now Louisville are really showing the Midwest that urbanity can and DOES exist even in "redneck" states like Indiana and Kentucky! Dont forget our urban, ecletic neighborhoods, our strength as a city, either.

As for retail, never fear, its coming to the downtown Lou...that is all I will say. Lets just say I have recently found out that Cordish has something MAGNIFICENT for the south fourth street district...it is too early to disclose details. Waterfront Park Place is set to begin Phase II and they are in negotiations with an urban grocer. Apparently, so is Todd Blue, owner of Cobalt Marketplace.

Also, when I was at the arena committee hearing, I saw Ken Shapiro of the Jazz factory and Bill Weyland who created the Glassworks Lofts speak. Shapiro says that for the first time in 30 years, downtown merchants have met, and are banding together to market and "brand" downtown attractions--Hallelulah! Branding is one thing Indy does well with the clear, colorful signage that lists attractions. Weyland, of Glassworks fame, is set to begin construction on the Off Broadway lofts in the old YWCA building. In 10 years, you will not recognze that section of downtown after the arena and the accompying Lofts and condos it will bring.

Actually, South of the Circle, along Washington, Meridian, Illinois, and Georgia Streets (the Wholesale District) is the concentration of nightlife and restaurants, so Conseco's location is right where it should be.

http://www.mongabay.com/igapo/2005_world_city_populations/United_States.html

Has Louisville at 712,000 residents in 2005 up from 700,000 residents on the same website for 2004 That means 12,000 people at an estimante moved to Louisville in 2004-2005 not counting the outer counties.

Im not sure how accurate this website is but it has these cities at:

Austin 692,734
Charlotte 604,237
Portland 546,150
Indianapolis 787,736
Des Moines 195,116
Pittsburgh 320,789
Philadelphia 1,465,762
Las Vegas 551,596

Clarksville to Continue town's overhaul with new emphasis on Eastern Boulevard

A string of vacant gas stations and businesses on Eastern Boulevard in Clarksville would become hotels, restaurants and possibly a convention center under a plan to be discussed tonight by the Town Council.

Several other upgrades are described in a draft version of the Eastern Boulevard Economic Development Plan.

The six-page document is part of a long-running effort to improve an area that has struggled to keep pace with business activity on nearby Lewis & Clark and Veterans parkways.

The council is expected to vote on the plan tonight. The town's Plan Commission and its Redevelopment Commission also must consider it.

The improvements are "definitely" needed, said Carla Goodlett, manager of Clarksville Peddler's Mall at 900 Eastern Blvd.

"It looks like Eastern Boulevard has been abandoned" compared to the other two parkways, she said.

Goodlett, who lives in Louisville, said she's concerned about empty storefronts and about traffic cutting through the parking lot in front of her business.

If the economic development plan is put into action, some of those issues could be addressed almost immediately. Early projects would be adding a turn lane at Hallmark Boulevard, along with decorative sidewalks and improved lighting and landscaping.

Although some of those features will depend on funding availability, Town Attorney Sam Gwin said that between $400,000 and $500,000 has been earmarked for the initial work. It could begin in the coming months, he said, and possibly be finished before the end of the year.

Rick Dickman, the town's redevelopment director, said it might be interested in partnering with developers or private companies to pursue renovation projects. But any such ventures will be scrutinized, he said.

"I don't think the Town Council wants to give out blanket tax abatements," he said, "but if you came up with the right proposal, I think they would seriously consider it."

Councilman Don Tetley said the town's share of Clark County income taxes might be a possible source of funding for Eastern Boulevard. He said that the flight of businesses from that area toward Veterans Parkway has been troubling and that it would be beneficial for the entire town to restore Eastern Boulevard.

John Minta, president of the Town Council, agreed.

"It's a little thing," he said. "We should have done it some time ago."

:) Humana to add 1100 new jobs downtown this year

Humana will add about 1,100 new positions in Louisville over the next nine months to accommodate its Medicare expansion plans and other growth.

The jobs will bring Humana's Louisville employment to 6,900 by mid-2006, the company said.

The jobs will pay between $12 and $36 per hour, according to the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, which approved up to $17 million in tax incentives for Humana's expansion plans Thursday morning.

The new jobs include customer-service, sales, information-technology and other positions, Humana said.

The new workers will be housed in Humana's three buildings on Main Street in downtown Louisville and in rented space elsewhere if needed, the company said.

UH>>>>>> FROM 16 TO 26 <<<<<<<<UH

THE GOVERMENT GIVES LOUISVILLE THE BOOT FROM #16 to #26 in population taking its popluation from 702,000(712,000-Mongabay) to 556,000 residents.... gov't officials say that the population will return to 700,000+ by the beginning of next year... most of the problem was from cities like Shively to Anchorage who cant be counted in the "WHOLE" cities population until things are sorted out and officials say that will take about a year..... All signs and, ect.... will stay up on the highways and on the websites saying that LOUISVILLE IS #16 in the USA until the changes have been made.

The Humana jobs are also great to hear about...

Any new news about the arena plans???

WHO CARES!!!?? WE LOST over 100k people in a damn DAY!!!!!!!???????? we are doomed :(

Louisville has signs that say it is the 16th largest city??????? WHAT?

Any new news about the arena plans???

I've heard of yet another location proposed, downtown for the arena. I read in the newspaper today that the location on the river where the LG&E substation is, which would be a good idea to replace what in my opinion one of the worst eyesores downtown. I do however still believe that the old Water company block is the best location, due to it's close proximity to 4th street live.
I would'nt worry about the whole population issue we didn't actually lose any population, the problem was that the small suburban cities weren't counted in the 2004 estimates released the other day. The problem is already fixed but was to late to show up in the 2004 estimates.

It was a joke, haha.

Anyways, I agree with you on the big giant tranformer location, I dont see it being large enough for an arena though....whatever they do that thing needs to be turned into something, it would look better as a damn surface lot.

So what do you all think are the odds of the governor's task force recommending any site other than the old Water Company block?

Louisville has signs that say it is the 16th largest city??????? WHAT?


lol, come on! we are the 16th largest city...anyway, it was a huge selling point of making merger happen in 2003 so when we finally did it the signs were seen as a good way to advertise our new status.

and come on, Indianapolis has signs saying "Welcome to Indianapolis; Building a World Class City one neighborhod at a Time" Lots of cities are guilty of having stupid signs :)

you got me!

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