What happened on the same day that Museum Plaza got canceled?

I was wondering the same thing lol.

What happened on the same day that Museum Plaza got canceled?
The same development team closed on the purchase of the Whiskey Row properties on Main Street Louisville. The article originally attached to the first posting disappeared.

Ah oki. My thoughts (heavily influenced by some Smirnoff Vodka) doesn't necessarily find it strange. I really hope now they can focus on making Whiskey Row into something worthwhile. Hell I just want those facades restored!!!

Guess I should probably change my signature now. :(

So, hoping some of you can help me understand what is going on with this St. Joseph's, U of L, Jewish merger. Mostly I want to know how this is affecting U of L and whether they will have their own hospital coming out of this? My guess is that they will not, right? They will just be a minority partner in this consortium where the Catholic hospital system in the majority partner?

I'm gathering that U of L never really owned the hospital, right? That the Medical School is part of U of L, but the hospital in which they worked was a separate non-profit, with a separate governing board that that did not report to the U of L Board of Trustees? It was just a close partnership between the 2, but not actual ownership by U of L?

So, if I have this right (which I don't think I do), a "University Hospital" will remain in place, but it will be majority owned by St. Josephs. U of L faculty and staff will continue to work in that hospital (as well as potentially other St. Joseph locations around the state), but St. Joseph's will make a majority of the profits (or losses) from their work and will have majority control over the broad direction of the organization?

So it looks like The Cordish Companies will be buying the 4th Street Live parking garage from the city for $2.7 million (plus putting $500,000 into repairs and maintenance). Does this mean they may be starting to show interest in finally starting on the Center City project?

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20110822/NEWS01/308220066/Cordish-tells-city-s-buying-4th-St-garage?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Home

Sounds like business as usual for the mayor's office. It appears that even though he's out of office Mayor Abramson's past is still coming to haunt Louisville taxpayers! Cordish recognizes a good deal when they see at unlike our politicians. They're getting a great bargain on the building, building one like it today would probably cost well over $20,000,000! Since it doesn't appear there were any guarantees to keep the existing rate structure, I'm sure the parking rates for citizens will go up significantly so they will be able to pay off their investment in a very short period of time. Everything that Cordish has done has benefited them, not the Louisville taxpayers! :ohno:

From my understanding the value of the garage is only roughly $3.2 million, so yes they are getting a deal, but I don't think the tax payers are getting robbed (Cordish is paying off the existing bond dept on the garage). It wouldn't be in Cordish's best interest to raise the rates on the garage, quite the opposite. There is plenty of parking within easy walking distance to 4th street, so patrons will find elsewhere to park, or not visit the venue at all if they find parking to be an issue. So if they raise rates, it will hurt their business.

While, like you, I'm not really happy with all the deals that have gone on with Cordish. Personally I feel like Center City would have been completed now if the city would have bid the land to the firm with the best plan to develop the block, and the means to do so. However, I don't think this is all that bad of a deal. At least Cordish is giving the city money this time around, not the opposite.

Cordish is not paying off the remainder of the bonds they were used for construction. The city as was part of the money they receive. Here's a quote from the article:

"Duncan said the deal with Cordish calls for Cordish to give the city $2.7 million, of which $1.6 million will be used by the city to pay off the remaining bond debt. "

To build a new garage like it would cost $20,000,000 at least!

Cordish is not paying off the remainder of the bonds they were used for construction. The city as was part of the money they receive. Here's a quote from the article:

"Duncan said the deal with Cordish calls for Cordish to give the city $2.7 million, of which $1.6 million will be used by the city to pay off the remaining bond debt. "

To build a new garage like it would cost $20,000,000 at least!

I haven't priced construction prices on garages lately, but property valuation doesn't work that way. The article also said that the garage was only worth between 3 and 4 million. So while Cordish is getting a good deal, this isn't really costing tax payers anything. Some of the Cordish dealings have been on the shady side, I agree, but this doesn't really concern me. What angers me is they received an entire city block and are only required to invest $150 million, which isn't much money considering the size of the lot. On top of that they have a 99 year lease and I haven't heard of any time frame for construction.

So while Cordish is getting a good deal, this isn't really costing tax payers anything. Some of the Cordish dealings have been on the shady side, I agree, but this doesn't really concern me. What angers me is they received an entire city block and are only required to invest $150 million, which isn't much money considering the size of the lot. On top of that they have a 99 year lease and I haven't heard of any time frame for construction.
While I do agree that it isn't costing the taxpayers anything at the present time it is in the long run because they're not even getting back their initial investment in the building ($6,000,000). I'm also willing to bet that when and if Cordish ever does anything with the other location that way if the city to build them another parking garage!

Does anyone know if there has ever been any discussion about Louisville getting connected into the Megabus network? Seems like a route from Louisville through Indy to Chicago would make sense. There seems to be a gap on the Midwest map in that direction. It could go south to Nashville too. There is a route running west from Chicago through Iowa City to Des Moines. Des Moines is further away from Chicago than Louisville is -- and Des Moines is much smaller as well. Seems like Louisville would be a good city to add to the network. Not sure what it might take to make that happen.

Megabus used to stop in Louisville but it didn't last very long. They probably only came here for less than a year.

Oh, I didn't know that. Thanks for the info. ^^ I looked through your blog and found it intersting and good. I'll have to check it out more as I am looking for information about Louisville development.

So how disruptive has the Minton closure been thus far? I haven't been home since the shit hit the fan, but I imagine things aren't good. Good to know that it takes a potential collapse for everyone to say "Oh shit, maybe we need to actually do something immediately..."

Riverfields can shrug this issue off as much as they want, but I think they deserve some considerable heat for the situation we're in right now. Had their suit not been filed, and the tunnel-approach and environmental studies not been daunted over for such a long time, we might at least have some kind of construction under-way right now. As it stands... The city is driving on crumbling spans that are now deteriorating even more quickly with the two remaining bridges carrying traffic well beyond their intended capacities for an indefinite period of time.

It was announced today by the Indiana department of transportation that the Sherman-Minton will not have to be replaced and can be repaired!

Great! We repair it now while it's the center of attention and wait until next year for it to fail! :ohno:

Well, this place is kinda dead. Anyway, thanks mainly to Fort Knox, Elizabethtown led the nation in GDP growth for 2010. Will be interesting to see in the area can capitalize and sustain a high growth rate.

http://www.thedaily.com/page/2011/09/14/091411-biz-front-gdp-1-2/

New life for RiverPark Place, not a big fan of the architecture but it is a great project. Hopefully the new development partners will help get this thing off the ground.

http://www.pbase.com/abdulsharif/image/62397227.jpg

Poe group to resume work on RiverPark Place marina

After more than three years of sitting idle waiting for the economy to turn around, work is resuming on the RiverPark Place housing and marina project off River Road just upriver from Waterfront Park.

Financing has been secured to finish work on the 149-slip marina and construction will resume immediately, said lead partner Steve Poe. His group is developing the mixed-use project at the 40-acre site that city and waterfront officials have envisioned developing for two decades.

“We still believe in the project,” Poe said.

A new partner from Indiana is joining Poe’s group in the development. An Indianapolis-based, real estate investment and management company named REI plans to become a 50 percent stakeholder in the venture, Poe said.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20111004/NEWS01/310040086/Poe-group-resume-work-RiverPark-Place-marina?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Home

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRtumFrNt6QhyLWIjDMqjTwfEUszVITv5D5idGNYYOZxVa_VWTEylqRxS1CaQ

http://www.pbase.com/abdulsharif/image/62397230/original.jpg

http://www.wlky.com/2010/0921/25096772_240X180.jpg

Been quite slow here lately. Here's a bit of development news from the 10/26/11 Courier-Journal. (Any guesses as to what the upscale restaurant might be?) Also - its nice to hear about the plans to make improvements at Louisville Gardens.


Restaurant planned for former Borders space in downtown Louisville

Space formerly occupied by Borders bookstore at 4th Street Live will become an “upscale” restaurant and bar owned by the entertainment district’s developer, The Cordish Cos., according to Margaret Handmaker, Louisville’s interim director of economic development.

She revealed the developer’s plans Wednesday during a meeting of the Metro Council’s Ethics and Accountability Committee, where she also said Cordish hopes to begin renovating The Gardens next year — a $10 million project that the company says will make the facility a suitable venue for concerts, graduations and home for a minor league hockey team.

Handmaker said the new restaurant at 4th Street Live will occupy only the first floor of the building at Fourth and Liberty streets. It is unclear what will happen with the building’s second floor.

She said Cordish plans to announce the details of the new business within “a couple of weeks.”

“Other than that, I can’t confirm anything,” Handmaker told the committee.

A Cordish spokeswoman did not respond to an email requesting details of the restaurant, including its name and concept.

Cordish also is buying the parking garage at 4th Street Live from the city for $2.7 million, and has promised to spend $500,000 on upgrades to fix crumbling concrete and install new lighting. Handmaker said the new restaurant is the “primary reason” Cordish wants the garage, so it can offer valet parking.

Under questioning from Republicans on the committee, Handmaker said the city will review Cordish invoices to make sure the company spends $500,000 on garage improvements.

“We’ll verify they spent the money,” Handmaker said.

She said Mayor Greg Fischer’s administration has given Cordish a one-year extension to get financing for the proposed 200,000-square-foot retail development of the so-called water company block, bounded by Second, Third and Liberty streets and Muhammad Ali Boulevard. That development is to be called Center City. Refurbishing The Gardens is part of the Center City deal.

“The reality is ... it’s hard to get financing right now,” Handmaker said. “They’ve not given us a date of when construction will start.”

She said renovations of The Gardens won’t be a “big moneymaker” for Cordish. “They want to do it to bring people downtown,” she said.

I hope Cordish puts more imagination into their upscale restaurant than they did with the Social Club. I am exited about the Gardens. That place was in bad need of an overhaul.

Bummer to hear that Ear X-tacy has closed. Wonderful Music Store. Unfortunately -- these types of places are just really having difficulty staying open now with all of the access to music via other sources.

'A great ride' ends as ear X-tacy closes

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20111031/NEWS01/310310051/-great-ride-ends-ear-X-tacy-closes?odyssey=mod|mostcom

In other music news -- Louisville Orchestra rejects most recent management contract offer:

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/2011310310060

What I don't understand is why record stores like earxtacy aren't jumping in and going digital within their stores. Offer the option of browsing records and cds that you can't find anywhere else, as well as the ability to shop a digital in-store library that you can directly hook your player or external drive up to and buy that same music in mp3 form. People still go to these record stores for the experience, but now walk out without buying anything because they'd rather download music, not a upload a cd. So let we the customers buy digital files directly...

On the other hand two local record stores have just opened up for business this year. One on Market St. and a 2nd Better Days location on Bardstown Rd. They seem to be doing fine .

WHAT A BUMMER! The Louisville area does not give itself any credit. This could have been a great project for an otherwise not so attractive part of the city.

New Jeffersonville mayor cancels canal plan
Business First
Date: Thursday, November 10, 2011, 6:19am EST

Jeffersonville, Ind., mayor-elect Mike Moore does not plan to pursue a project to build a canal downtown.

Incumbent mayor Tom Galligan planned to build a $65 million canal to alleviate flooding and help attract businesses. But according to the News and Tribune, Moore believes support for the canal is "minimal."

"It does sound like a pretty idea, but we can't afford it," Moore said in the report.

Earlier this year, some city and state officials said the canal was necessary to meet federal requirements to reduce sewer overflows. Moore said the city could build an underground network of pipes for $36 million to meet the requirements.

Homes that the city already has purchased to make way for the canal project will be sold to private developers, the report said.
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Jeffersonville, Ind.

Fear not.

Outgoing Jeffersonville mayor orders work to resume on projects, including canal

Less than a week after he stopped work on several high-profile Jeffersonville construction projects, outgoing Mayor Tom Galligan has ordered work to resume on the $2.5 million reconstruction of Richard Vissing Park and on the design of the first elements of a $65 million canal he’s been planning for the city’s west end.

Last week, after losing a hotly contested election to Republican Mike Moore, Galligan ordered work on those and other projects stopped because Moore opposed them in his campaign, and Galligan didn’t want to waste city money on something that wouldn’t be completed.

Galligan said Tuesday that he hasn’t met with Moore yet, but some members of the city council and others met Moore last week and discussed city projects with him. And on Monday, Galligan said, they encouraged him to resume working on the projects.

http://cmsimg.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=B2&Date=20111115&Category=NEWS02&ArtNo=311150057&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Outgoing-Jeffersonville-mayor-orders-work-resume-projects-including-canal

^^ Good to see. It may cost an extra $30 million to invest in this project (over only spending about $36 million to do the sewer project without including the attractive canal plans) - but it will definitely be worth the extra funds. This will help attract additional buildings and development in this area - which will help bring new tax money which likely would not have otherwise happened. It also could become something that will help draw visitors to this area and their additional spending. Glad to see this new Mayor is not a stubborn idiot but seems willing to go along with a smart project.

I agree about the canal...def worth it.

Eventually it wold be cool if they could take it west, under the interstate, through the colgate property, then back out.....helping really develop the colgate area

Gordon Biersch to go into former Border's spot at Fourth Street Live.

This news is a little old -- but nobody else posted it -- so here's the story from the Courier Journal:

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20111121/NEWS01/311210073/1003/Restaurant-brewery-lease-old-Borders?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|s

Gordon Biersch to go into former Border's spot at Fourth Street Live.

This news is a little old -- but nobody else posted it -- so here's the story from the Courier Journal:

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20111121/NEWS01/311210073/1003/Restaurant-brewery-lease-old-Borders?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|s
I saw it when it first came out but it was so unexciting that I didn't even bother posting it! They claim to be a place that provides German style food and drink but if you look at their menu it's all typical American fast casual restaurant type food. I was hoping when they first announced we were getting a German beer place it was going to have a real German feel to it and have great German Food. This place doesn't even have soft pretzels listed on the menu and everyone knows they go great especially with German beer! Seems like just another reason not to bother going to 4th St! Of course I'm sure that the city will be given them a large chunk of money to come here like they have everybody else. Too bad they don't give money to any local businesses to do the same thing.

If its anything like Rock Bottom(and I suspect its EXACTLY like Rock Bottom), it will be decent to average micro brews with an Applebee's menu. Enjoy, all yee suckers.

Gordon Biersch is a very well-regarded microbrewer/restaurant, if not the best of the chains. They're known as Big River in Nashville and Chattanooga, and their menu is very good. It's not Applebee's by a long stretch. You will enjoy the GB. Good for LuaaaahVuhl!

Looeyville

I think it's a good chain, but it is a bit perplexing. I have long wondered why we didn't have more german rest. and why we don't have a large German festival anymore. I remember in the 90's that Strassenfest drew 500,000......now we don't really have one, which is odd......I have thought that a Hofbrauhaus would be perfect there....large, 2 stories, open to the bottom floor, German music and bands going loud the whole time....then they get a place that claims to be German, but doesn't really have any German food at all.....again, good place, but I don't understand why they claim to be German and why Louisville, with it's German heritage, doesn't have more places

I don't think they ever claimed to be a German restaurant. The Courierjournal gave them that label after doing poor research.

I don't think they ever claimed to be a German restaurant. The Courierjournal gave them that label after doing poor research.
You are certainly correct, they just claim to have German style beers. Of course normally when you have that type of beer you at least have some types of German Food to go with them. I would expect them to at least have soft pretzels, radishes and some of the other pub foods you find in a German brewhouse! Instead they are catering to the lowest common denominator and making food that is found in any chain restaurant.

Louisville with its strong local independent restaurants community certainly deserves better! :bash:

Plans revived for 17-story Willow Grande highrise in Cherokee Triangle

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20111201/ZONE01/312010042/Plans-revived-17-story-Willow-Grande-highrise-Cherokee-Triangle?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

A few projects being revived along with the Willow Grande--

River Park Place broke ground yesterday on the first tower

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20111205/NEWS01/312050096/louisville-marina-groundbreaking

http://brokensidewalk.com/2011/12/05/riverpark-place/

Stalled Belknap Crossings on 4th is back on track

http://brokensidewalk.com/2011/12/05/planned-mixed-use-block-on-fourth-street-rendered/

http://brokensidewalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/south4lofts_09.jpg

http://brokensidewalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/south4lofts_01.jpg

could be wrong, but i don't think the first thing they are building in River park Place is one of the towers. i think its a 4 storyish building......I do like the concept plan for the entire thing though...hope it all happens.

^^
Yeah, I went back and read through it and they are building one of the smaller buildings first.

Sounds like things are starting to pick up steam a little bit with two high profile projects getting some new life, hopefully the cherokee tower will be constructed, it could provide a gatewway to some higher density development in the highlands. There are a few great opprotunities, the mid-city mall site coming to mind. I've noticed they've left the tower crane up at the construction site at 4th and chestnut... Does anyone know if the apartments at the site are due to begin construction soon?

the mid city mall site, to me, of all developed, usable space in town, has sooooo much potential.

Would love to see it razed and rebuilt with a true livestyle center contianing a mix of local and cool, funky out of town places, with actual businesses above retail with housing on a few floors below that.........push it up agains Btown rd., with extra wide sidewalks for dining and underground parks...but that costs a lot of money....but that's what I'd like to see.

I'm an Architect born in Louisville and am Living in Washington, DC for the past 25 years. I have a keen interest in the development in Louisville that works to make it an even nicer to place to live. The MidCity Mall Kills the urban Fabric of Bardstown Road and I always sigh as I pass it. I just made up a programme for the project that retains and renovates and added space for retail, bars and restaurants to wings along the edge of what would have been the parking lot. The wings embrase a terraced lawn that steps toward a reflecting pool that would draw people to sit and read, talk, eat, play and watch concerts and performances when the pool is drained. A reinforced Glass Block Bridge crosses the pool from Bradstown road to the Mall entrance. I hadn't intended to release this for public viewing as I still need to develop the concept and details, also I need to add context to the site showing the adjacent neighborhood.. but here it is at about 50%. Any comments would be appreciated!

Damn, can't upload the images! will fix that!

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2372/midcitymallpreview.jpg

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/9167/midcitymallstartingbaxt.jpg

http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/blog/morning_call/2011/12/jeffersonville-officials-revising.html

Jeffersonville officials revising plans for canal

As I've said many times, Mid-City Mall is prob the most under utilized, developed tract in town (that actually has open businesses on it). So much potential

The ideas from mid city mall look really nice and would certainly enhance the neighborhood. The biggest problem I see is parking! If the mall is going to succeed it will need to attract people that don't live within walking distance and they will need parking. Parking is already a problem in the area and taking away the parking lot will even make it worse. Several floors of underground parking need to be included in this project. Also will the new building under construction (I believe Dunkin Donuts) have any effect on land availability?

My only suggestion would be to tie the architecture in with the neighborhood a bit more. Being such a contrast from the rest of the are is one of the things that makes mid city mall such an eyesore to begin with. I'd also try to bring more to the street level.

Thanks for your comments. Like I've said, I'm about 50% complete on development of this. There are so many streets in America that don't thrive on door front parking. I think Bardstown Toad is already largely pedestrian in nature. With increased density in the area it can only improve. For those hard core 'gotta drive' people which no doubt is the culture of Louisville, I'm working on the pair of 4 level parking decks that feed from Baxter Ave.

(I'd also like to see what zoning and public use requirements would allow use of 'enhanced' alley ways that flank the site that could bring traffic from Bardstown to the the rear parking decks)

So a future update will include a more developed parking solution. As far as the as the Duncan Donuts, I think it should be integrated into the proposed retail space. A project of these size, scale and potential economic impact could easily absorb the construction. This would relocate the Dairy Queen as well, hopefully into to the available retail space. As is done in DC, a significant portion of retail space would be reserved for local, non chain business - "keep Louisville Weird!"

I'm trying to find a way to photograph the site and the adjacent neighborhood for context. Perhaps I’ll get shots from the roof of Ramsi's or Carmichaels and Photoshop the renderings into the images. This will help me better integrate the design ro better integrated with the neighborhood.

Like I said earlier, I was hesitant to release the work so far because I knew I had so much more to do, but I figured 'what the heck'!

Again, if you don't mind I'll keep adding updates. My super duper rendering PC is still back in DC, so if I do a rendering or update on this laptop will probably make it melt.

Your continued comments and interest is appreciated!

Wow, I'm sorry...I think I've killed this thread!

Its been dead for several months now. You actually helped encourage a few new posts to be made - so don't feel bad. I wish there was more news to read about as well. I guess there is the re-start at River Park Place - so hopefully that is getting going again -- and then maybe there will eventually be some movement on the Iron Quarter -- although I'm thinking it could be several years before Todd B. gets that going again.

Thanks for your words of encouragement. I think Louisille has so much potential and a lack of dynamic leaders to make this a world class city. It's heartening to see so many cars and homes display the fleur de lis and other symbols of pride in the city. But the people with the money and fresh thoughts never seem to be in the same place at the same time - not that I don't appreciate the great things that have been done within the past few years. I'm currently living in an environment where some exciting things are being done and people's risks are rewarded. D.C. Is currently like the 'field of dreams' movie... They are building it and people are coming. D.C. Has grown by over 75,000 people over the past 3 years and credit is due to a lot of people sticking their neck out financially. I really think Louisville can do the same thing on a smaller scale.

I appreciate this forum and the information that I get from it!

In other Louisville News the University of Louisville has taken an option on the land where Museum Plaza was going to be built. No definitive word on their plans for the site, maybe the school of business that was going to be in Museum Plaza?

I think u of l is only looking at the main street part of the former museum plaza location.

Oops, wrote something incorrectly and can't figure out how to delete it..

Thanks for your comments. Like I've said, I'm about 50% complete on development of this. There are so many streets in America that don't thrive on door front parking. I think Bardstown Toad is already largely pedestrian in nature. With increased density in the area it can only improve. For those hard core 'gotta drive' people which no doubt is the culture of Louisville, I'm working on the pair of 4 level parking decks that feed from Baxter Ave.

(I'd also like to see what zoning and public use requirements would allow use of 'enhanced' alley ways that flank the site that could bring traffic from Bardstown to the the rear parking decks)

So a future update will include a more developed parking solution. As far as the as the Duncan Donuts, I think it should be integrated into the proposed retail space. A project of these size, scale and potential economic impact could easily absorb the construction. This would relocate the Dairy Queen as well, hopefully into to the available retail space. As is done in DC, a significant portion of retail space would be reserved for local, non chain business - "keep Louisville Weird!"

I'm trying to find a way to photograph the site and the adjacent neighborhood for context. Perhaps I’ll get shots from the roof of Ramsi's or Carmichaels and Photoshop the renderings into the images. This will help me better integrate the design ro better integrated with the neighborhood.

Like I said earlier, I was hesitant to release the work so far because I knew I had so much more to do, but I figured 'what the heck'!

Again, if you don't mind I'll keep adding updates. My super duper rendering PC is still back in DC, so if I do a rendering or update on this laptop will probably make it melt.

Your continued comments and interest is appreciated!


I like what you've done, but as previously stated, I think more attention could be paid to Bardstown Road and how the project might strengthen the street-scape, rather than stand as its own mega-development away from the surrounding urban area. Really, it is not Mid-City's interruption of the density that is as much the issue as is the break in the fabric of the commercial strip. This break uses up valuable street-side retail and diminishes the experience of the properties located across Bardstown Road. I think the Tap Room could benefit hugely from other bars at the street.

I think what might help for me to draw a full block elevation to illustrate the scale of the project relative to the rest of the block. Clearly I need to do it to make some adjustments in building heights. Also, a big part of the eye-soreness on that block is the Liquors and Smokes at Rosewood and Bardstown. On the southern side of Rosewood is the Old Police Station that is a good 3+ sories. On the Liquor and Smokes site could be a full occupiable lot size building (thinking ground floor retail and 2nd and 3rd floor apartments/condos) that could bridge the streetscape a long way up Bardstown Road. There are some terrific examples of pocket parks and green areas that add to the livibility of an urban block. I'll look for some examples to post.

Thanks again!

Quoted from Eweezer's post in March of 2007 (on page 4 earlier in this thread)

"RiverPark Place
Museum Plaza
DT Arena / Hotel
Zirmed Towers
Fourth Street Live expansion
The Iron Quarter
New DT Bridge (with a nice, distinct design)
Big 4 Bridge

Those are all the major projects. Combine that with the tons of infill and small projects, I'd feel confident in calling it a boom. Maybe not compared to Chicago or Miami, but we are easily running with cities like Indy in terms of development.. "


So now its five years later. Hmmmm. Interesting to make a comparison to see how things have gone for the two cities in that time.

Wow... well, if I had a few hours to fart around I could dig up all the small projects that have happened since 2000-whenever-that-post-was-made, but that list was of the largest and most visible developments at the time. Obviously, other things were and have been going on. I agree that Indy has done some great things for its downtown in the last decade.

Interestingly, my opinions have very much changed over the years, and I really would prefer that the downtown bridge not even happen... As well as the 4th street expansion. Cordish is a developer for chumps. I think that parking lot can become something much better than a mall full of national chains. I'd rather see the retail happen on 4th street itself. Iron Quarter is also much better having never been built. Again, that is not the place for retail, as was intended on the ground level. That site is best suited for bars and restaurants, which is what has developed on the block since the arena's completion.

Quoted from Eweezer's post in March of 2007 (on page 4 earlier in this thread)....

....Maybe someday the 4th street Live expansion will happen and hopefully the new I-65 bridge and east end bridge as well. The
Since this is the Louisville thread not the one for Indianapolis I wish you would take your bantering about everything great that Indianapolis has done elsewhere! :ohno:

Two of those things that you hope and apparently want to happen in Louisville are not really wanted by the majority of Louisville's citizens. Very few people outside of government officials see a need for an additional I-65 bridge downtown and basically say let's build the east end bridge and then see what happens! As far as 4th street goes, it's nothing but a money hole developed by an outside contractor of this city keeps giving money to! Was out all of the subsidies given by the city it wouldn't exist and Louisville would be better for it.

Sorry. You're right. This is a Louisville thread so I'm taking my Indy information out of my post above.

New lunch place coming to the Chase building on fourth st. It's Zoup. Here's a link to the story:
http://louisvillerestaurantnews.blogspot.com/2012/01/zoup-coming-to-louisville.html

Anthropologie moving into the Z Gallery space at Oxmoor is a great boost for women's retail options in Louisville. Of course local is best and malls are lame, but Anthropologie is an extremely popular brand that most metros have, so its nice to see them expanding in the market.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120201/FEATURES/302010078/Anthropologie-Louisville-Z-Gallerie


Interesting info on the potential Amazon facility in Jeffersonville:

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120131/NEWS02/301310082/Amazon-River-Ridge-Jeffersonville



A decade later, and they still can't pick a spot for the VA hospital. State government moves so slowly, it literally hurts. Any thoughts on the Brownsborro site: Midlands vs VA?

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120131/NEWS02/301310082/Amazon-River-Ridge-Jeffersonville


Also, has anyone heard any rumblings about the Oxmoor farm and what sort of planning is shaping for the area? Is that land still not released for development?

I'd prefer the VA go to the site off Lagrange Rd....the only reason i prefer this is because i feel the midland site actually has the potential to become something cool whereas the lagrange Rd site doesn't really have any other potential besides industrial/distribution.

the state of ky sucks. I love the louisville csa, but this state has so little in common with the metro area and really holds it back

^^Agreed. I think The Midlands can bring a new kind of development into that area of town that might help to influence future growth around it. The hospital... will just be a hospital.


If Holiday World takes over Kentucky Kingdom... that would be perfect. They pay a lot of attention to the the quality and experience of a park, not just building flashy rides. I really hope this all works out...

http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2012/02/07/breaking-news-koch-family-forms-bluegrass-boardwalk-as-part-of-their-pursuit-of-kentucky-kingdom/

http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2012/02/07/breaking-news-koch-family-forms-bluegrass-boardwalk-as-part-of-their-pursuit-of-kentucky-kingdom/[/url]
It's definitely better than anything Louisville could have hoped for! Classy operators who keep the equipment and people in line without charging ridiculous prices. Hopefully everything will fall in place and it will happen.:banana:

I hope it happens as well and is a success...then they can buy the vacant/lots with crappy bldgs (mainly sw and south), surrounding the park and expand it.

Possible new convention hotel in the works for the state fairgrounds. This with the recent news of the operators of Holiday World showing interest in Kentucky Kingdom could lead to a lot of activity in the area.

State officials have issued a “request for proposals” for a luxury hotel with at least 600 rooms to be built along Phillips Lane just east of Gate One at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

The project is expected to cost more than $100 million, said Harold Workman, president of the Kentucky State Fair Board, which issued the proposal request Monday.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120211/NEWS01/302110041/fairgrounds-hotel?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Home

The request for proposals for a hotel at the fairgrounds sounds interesting but I really wonder if any of the major hotel companies will be interested. It's a relatively obscure site and I can't believe there would be a huge demand for high and rooms there except for something at the fairgrounds.

Here's the latest from the Urbanophile blog about Louisville:

http://www.urbanophile.com/

Just found the following pic at SSP, apparently was Helmut Jahns design for the Humana Building when they held an open competition back in the 80s. This is the first I have seen of the losing designs, looks like they had at least 2 nice options with the one they chose and this one. Jahns looks to be in the 520 foot range plus what ever the spire would have added.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5027738229_68cf97a08b_b.jpg

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=185305

I like that one much more....I like the current one as well, but this one is better for me

According to this article: St. Charles Exchange (http://philly.eater.com/archives/2012/02/16/franklin-mortgage-and-supper-team-expanding-to-louisville.php) the interesting thing is that the address given is the address of Morton's but there's no mention of whether Morton's is is closing or if they both are going to be in the same building.

Just found the following pic at SSP, apparently was Helmut Jahns design for the Humana Building when they held an open competition back in the 80s. This is the first I have seen of the losing designs, looks like they had at least 2 nice options with the one they chose and this one. Jahns looks to be in the 520 foot range plus what ever the spire would have added.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5027738229_68cf97a08b_b.jpg

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=185305

Favorite post of the last 5 years :banana: I have been looking for the losing designs for a long long time.. where did you find these? And where are the others?

On the link below the pic somebody posted proposals from a Helmut Jahn book that were never built. Its the only other proposal for the site I have been able to find.

Last time I visited the Humana lobby, there was a space on the second floor that had display models and pictures of the losing designs that were open for public viewing. Its been several years, but I'd say its worth a look to see if the display still exists.

Last time I visited the Humana lobby, there was a space on the second floor that had display models and pictures of the losing designs that were open for public viewing. Its been several years, but I'd say its worth a look to see if the display still exists.

well.. I'm in NY but.. if someone could check that out and snap some pics that would be excellent..

Three weeks until Louisville hosts the second / third round games of the NCAA tournament. First time since the early 90's I believe, since Louisville has hosted an NCAA Div. 1 Men's basketball tourney event. Any big plans coming together for putting on any special events for the out of town visitors? Do you think UK will end up playing there?

It would probably be best in terms of filling up hotel rooms to get several teams from large schools that aren't located too close to Louisville. Maybe a Missouri or Baylor or Notre Dame, Ohio State, North Carolina etc. Teams that would bring lots of fans and would stay for three nights at the various hotels.

It would be a big party if UK played there -- although they probably wouldn't do much for hotel room sales because most of the fans would probably live in the Louisville or Lexington areas and probably wouldn't need to stay at a hotel in Louisville. Beverage sales all week would probably be very high though with many of the fans hanging out at all of the local bars and restaurants throughout the city.

Man --- talk about slimy. The Cordish Companies actually thought they could get away with getting the City to pay them $850,000 for moving a business from one part of downtown to another downtown location within their complex at Fourth Street Live. Good thing this got caught when it did.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120222/NEWS01/302220091?odyssey=mod|mostcom

Here's a neat little story about the NCAA tournament:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_X9orSGjC0

^^ Nice. That would be a great time to come down to Louisville to check out all the latest things downtown and take in the atmosphere around the stadium during the tournament. Probably won't actually buy tickets for the games unless IU is playing. If Kentucky is there - which it looks like there is a good possibility -- I'm sure tickets will not be the easiest (or cheapest) to find.

^^ Nice. That would be a great time to come down to Louisville to check out all the latest things downtown and take in the atmosphere around the stadium during the tournament. Probably won't actually buy tickets for the games unless IU is playing. If Kentucky is there - which it looks like there is a good possibility -- I'm sure tickets will not be the easiest (or cheapest) to find.

additionally, it wouldn't be a good gauge on the demo of downtown, as i'm sure it will be overrun by necks while they are in town

Are you saying that NCAA basketball fans are "necks" (rednecks?)? That would be surprising to me -- as I would have guessed that there would have been a general upgrade in the caliber of folks walking around downtown during that weekend as compared to the typical weekend. Its not cheap to fly in from Texas or North Carolina and spend three nights at a hotel - plus buy expensive tickets to several basketball games. (Unless you were talking about the potential hoards of UK fans who will be roaming everywhere - with and without tickets.)

^^ What did you mean by saying "it wouldn't be a good gauge on the demo of downtown"? Did you mean demonstration? or demolition? or something else?

I think it may have been a jab at UK fans... >.>

Not everybody can be as cool as these guys:

http://thenastyboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/louserville.jpg?w=604&h=453

^^ No Doubt -- It would be pointless to even try.

Are you saying that NCAA basketball fans are "necks" (rednecks?)? That would be surprising to me -- as I would have guessed that there would have been a general upgrade in the caliber of folks walking around downtown during that weekend as compared to the typical weekend. Its not cheap to fly in from Texas or North Carolina and spend three nights at a hotel - plus buy expensive tickets to several basketball games. (Unless you were talking about the potential hoards of UK fans who will be roaming everywhere - with and without tickets.)

^^ What did you mean by saying "it wouldn't be a good gauge on the demo of downtown"? Did you mean demonstration? or demolition? or something else?

No doubt...not speaking about those people....mainly speaking about neck uofk fans who will drive to Louisville just to watch the team get off the bus.

I plan on taking a nice vaca somewhere that weekend just to get the hell out of town

Are you saying that NCAA basketball fans are "necks" (rednecks?)? That would be surprising to me -- as I would have guessed that there would have been a general upgrade in the caliber of folks walking around downtown during that weekend as compared to the typical weekend. Its not cheap to fly in from Texas or North Carolina and spend three nights at a hotel - plus buy expensive tickets to several basketball games. (Unless you were talking about the potential hoards of UK fans who will be roaming everywhere - with and without tickets.)
It's not cheap to travel all over the United States to attend NASCAR races either but hordes of people do this and they certainly qualify as rednecks!

True, Very True!

It's not cheap to travel all over the United States to attend NASCAR races either but hordes of people do this and they certainly qualify as rednecks!

Not that it matters, but I would guess most fans at a nascar race are local, or at least regional, ie driving distance and can be planned well in advance. NCAA tourney requires fans to make travel plans on short notice and usually fly. Doesn't preclude rednecks, but it isn't that similar to NASCAR. The disdain for the rest of the state shown by some Louisville residents is pretty amazing to me.

People from Louisville just like to blame everybody else for their own shortcomings. The local leadership in the city is what holds it back as much as anything, but in todays society its just easier to blame everybody else.

Im from KY, grew up in an urban area twice the size of Louisville, used to walk from my grandparents house to NFL/MLB games growing up, but somehow Louisville is too big and urban for the rest of the state to understand?

Please... not this again. I hate Louisville vs Kentucky nonsense. You guys are gonna make me not want to get on this thread for a few months. :wallbash:

I don't care if they show up wearing overalls and straw hats, if they're coming here to spend money, they're more than welcome in my book. I'm personally looking forward to seeing the environment during the games, even if it is mostly UK fans.

Exactly^^ That's the smart comment.

oops..see below

The real disadvantage of having UK fans buying up most of the seats is that they will spend most of their money at the gas stations along 64. I really doubt that they would fill hotel rooms and eat at local restaurants as much as thos who truly need to be hosted and entertained during the non-basketball times of the day. We should hope for teams that must travel and need to be catered to. This would benefit the local businesses as well as the feed tax revenues back into the city.

While you all were sleeping, look at what our governors are doing.
http://www.ibj.com/ohio-river-bridge-plan-calls-for-tolls-on-3-spans/PARAMS/article/33064

I can understand tolling brand new bridges, but tolling an existing interstate bridge sounds fishy. Im sure there could be a legal challenge. I know people in lville that I will be visiting less, and have family in mt sterling that I will now go through cincy to see, and I bet im not the only one. Bad for your local economy and will create a larger traffic mess. The toll booths south of Chicago can get really backed up.

you don't even stop at most newer toll booths

I seriously doubt many people will drive a hundred or so miles out of their way to "save" $1

Just build the damn things....and while we're at it, lets try to catch to where we should be, complete the 265 loop and add 4 more bridges (22nd St to Silver/Vincennes St., 9th st to Spring & Browns Station, Brownsboro Rd to Penn St., 264/71 to Port Rd.)...I can dream

You dont stop at most newer toll booths if... you are in an area that has tolls... and you have a pre pass system. A large amount of your tourism comes from indiana, which outside of northern, doesnt have tolls. That means we WOULD have to stop. I have friends in louisville that I have personally put off visiting due to the bridge reinforcement bc of increased traffic congestion. If I were looking to get out of town and had to deal with a mess any greater than spaghetti junction already is, I would just as easily go to cincy. It's not 100 miles out of the way. Its comparable distance from here. I have a HUGE problem paying tolls on a structure that tax dollars have already paid for and would avoid it out of principle if nothing else. Its just one more metaphoric barrier to keep indiana out, and thats fine. I will just take my $ to ohio.

it may change, but the tolls they are looking at doesn't require anyone to stop. They scan your plates and bill you

^^
Dats sum bullsh%&, yessir. I'd rather throw change in the little basket. I dunno why everyone is complaining, really. Tolls are like arcade games that you win every time. Put the money in and the light turns greeeen! Or we could just hire a troll to live under the bridge and demand offerings from travelers.

don't understand that post. Why is it bullshit for them to use modern tolls?

• Our sources in M&A are telling us that Humana is Louisville’s company to watch for 2012. That as with 2011, it will be acquisition after acquisition around the United States this year. As Humana adds to its empire, its support/admin/executive footprint here will grow, those sources say. And here’s the truly intriguing buzz: This year may be the year the company finally builds another downtown building. About three weeks ago, we got intel from our real estate sources about a new biz district office tower. But who was building it? All the usual suspects said, “Not us. This will be too big for us.”

6th bullet point on link:
http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2012/03/19/monday-biz-brief-top-cj-talent-headed-out-the-door-gli-having-another-bad-week/

don't understand that post. Why is it bullshit for them to use modern tolls?

Sorry. I was stoned.

Heaven Hill planning downtown Louisville tourist site

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120423/NEWS01/304230133/Heaven-Hill-planning-downtown-Louisville-tourist-site

http://cmsimg.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=B2&Date=20120423&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=304230133&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&Border=0&Heaven-Hill-planning-downtown-Louisville-tourist-site

2 California companies 'might' be moving corporate headquarters to Louisville:

CafePress, the online store where consumers can customize T-shirts and other merchandise, is considering expanding its Louisville fulfillment center and moving its headquarters to Louisville — which would mean 592 new jobs within seven years.

Tanya Rynders, a CafePress spokeswoman, said executives were unavailable for interviews Thursday but that a press conference has been scheduled on Monday.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120426/BUSINESS/304260087/CafePress-may-move-corporate-headquarters-from-California-Louisville?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CHome

FoodCalc LLC, a California-based company that develops online products that offer nutrition analysis and solutions for the food-services industry, is considering moving its corporate headquarters to Louisville.

FoodCalc officials could not be reached for comment before Business First’s press deadline. But according to documents the company filed with KEDFA, the company would establish a 10,000-square-foot corporate headquarters.

http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2012/04/26/foodcalc-might-move-headquarters-here.html

what if ur license plate doesnt match ur current address?

Bill Weyland yet again proving he is a reliable, upright developer in the downtown market:

VOA moving headquarters to Fourth and Chestnut
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120511/NEWS01/305110064/VOA-moving-headquarters-Fourth-Chestnut



AAAAAnd we're still dealing with this....

Cost to rehab Whiskey Row has nearly tripled to $7 million
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120511/NEWS01/305110070/Cost-rehab-Whiskey-Row-has-nearly-tripled-7-million?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

• The big scoop as we push toward June is from real estate and hotel sources: White Lodging executives are making no secret of the fact they plan a Westin Hotel in downtown Louisville, sooner rather than later. White Lodging, based in Merrillville, Ind. outside of Chicago, is using the plan to both reach out to real estate firms and to recruit Louisville hotel talent, say our sources. But no one seems to have the entire plan – whether an existing property will get re-flagged, or this will be a ground-up project.

http://insiderlouisville.com/news/2012/05/21/monday-biz-briefing-white-lodgings-talking-up-a-new-downtown-westin-hotel-u-of-l-restructuring-medical-network/

Class A vacancy rate in the CBD is down to 5.8% in Q1 2012. 140,000 sqft will open up soon in Meidinger, but with the occupancy so high something is bound to happen soon with downtown office space.


http://www.louisvilleky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/2B072B85-C207-49D2-9989-F1810A6FE6B4/0/CommercialKentucky1Q12Office.pdf

GREAT news on L'ville's Class A vacancy - very impressive.

I would say to watch the DSW Silks site on main, or Capital Plaza on 6th street. Two projects that have maintained that they will develop when the demand dictates. Though, DSW is a Todd Blue-Cobalt property, soooooo take that for exactly what it means...
http://www.cobaltventures.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=50

I also won't hold my breathe on Blue and his remaining end of the Whiskey Row block. Shame, because it'd be a great spot for some Class A office space. As it stands, I think his plans are to create yet more parking... Observe and be mortified:
http://www.cobaltventures.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60&Itemid=51

The other spot that would be very prime for development at this time would be the lot between Slugger Field and Waterfront Park Place, also owned by the same chump. I suppose they are still holding out for some very large and prominent company to take that spot, but they seem to be very happy with its current state as a parking lot... http://www.cobaltventures.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30&Itemid=56

In the last 5 years, Todd Blue has done nothing but hold downtown development back. I wish he would go away.

140,000 sqft will open up soon in Meidinger


After doing a little research seems that the tenant (Mercer) is just moving from Meidinger to Aegon so it shouldnt have much impact on the vacancy rate. I just hope this isnt the development that gets off the ground:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d179/ul2009/cogan.jpg

^^TRUTH.

I'm not sure if anyone has brought it up on here, but the old Blockbuster at Bardstown and Grinstead is completely gutted in preparation for the new Urban Outfitters... It KILLS me walking past Panera in the old earxtacy building, but Urban replacing Blockbuster is a great step up. I hope it can spark a trend towards inner-city retail and away from the malls and suburbia. I think the location will do extremely well, and other stores will want to follow the traffic.

Chipotle restaurant may locate in Louisville at downtown Hyatt

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120525/NEWS01/305250069/Chipotle-restaurant-may-locate-Louisville-downtown-Hyatt?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News