TURNING SPACES INTO PLACES
Whether grabbing lunch under a colorful umbrella, catching up on emails in an Adirondack chair, or swaying away an afternoon in a tire swing, CitySpots will help Downtown rediscover the art of hanging out.
A project of the 2022 Bingham Fellows, CitySpots will become a network of welcoming spaces and urban surprise where people meet, eat, play, or relax – spreading vibrancy across Downtown, and helping employers meet the needs of what today’s workforce looks for in a job location.
UNTAPPED POTENTIAL
Have you seen spaces like this? Help us turn them into a CitySpot!
Louisville’s Downtown is dotted with under-programmed outdoor spaces. These present opportunities for creativity in space planning and activation to attract and engage users and visitors of Downtown. CitySpots will convert these raw spaces into defined “places” creating opportunities to change how people use and view Downtown.
PNC TOWER CITYSPOT
PNC Tower, north plaza, corner of Fifth and Main streets
The PNC Tower CitySpot converts an oversized and under-programmed urban space into an inviting destination that encourages social interaction and strengthens Downtown’s sense of community.
The CitySpot features two larger-than-life swings designed by Gehl Architects firm, which also designed “The Porch at 30th Street Station” in Philadelphia’s University City District. The never-before-seen Louisville adaptation was modified and fabricated by Bill Curran Design and features two brightly colored swings with two individual seats per swing. The space also includes two bike rack sculptures by Louisville artists Jen Pellerin and Russell S. Mills, blending functionality with artistic expression.
The transformation of the PNC Tower CitySpot was designed by Gresham Smith and LDP, and was made possible through a grant from the PNC Foundation, as well as the generous support of Louisville Metro Council District 4, Gresham Smith, Hardscuffle Inc., the PNC Tower ownership group, Doug Owen, JLL, and LDP.
JPMORGANCHASE CITYSPOT
Corner of Fourth and Jefferson Street near the Louisville Tourism Visitor’s Center
The JPMorganChase CitySpot reimagines an under-programmed and overlooked sidewalk on corner of Fourth and Jefferson Street. The site features a larger-than-life mural, painted pavement, custom seating made from repurposed tree grates, large planters filled with cannas, petunias, and coleus, and a public street piano titled “Cityscape | Country Life” painted by the J. Graham Brown School as part of LDP’s recently launched Downtown Tunes program.
The mural and sidewalk art, designed and painted by Often Seen Rarely Spoken (OSRS), serves as a focal point for the new public space. The design incorporates iconic Louisville elements featuring horses, a fleur-de-lis, and a special edition bourbon bottle, all reinterpreted in new ways that feel both fresh and surreal offering a new perspective on Louisville’s history. The colorful design is meant to engage both locals and visitors, offering them a visual connection to the city.
Funding for the CitySpot and mural was provided by JPMorganChase, Doug Owen, JLL, and LDP.
METRO HALL CITYSPOT
Corner of Fifth and Jefferson streets
The CitySpot site at Fifth and Jefferson streets takes advantage of an oversized and under-programmed sidewalk and green space, now housing patio furniture, umbrellas, and flowerpots on freshly painted pavement and crosswalks that enhance connectivity and vibrancy.
The 5th and Jefferson site was made possible through donations from Chase Bank; JLL; Boel, Stopher & Graves; Messer Construction; Gresham Smith; LDG Development; 500W; and E-Z Construction.
BARK PARK CITYSPOT
600 block of S. Fourth Street north of the Brown Hotel
The Bark Park CitySpot, located in the 600 block of S. Fourth Street, transformed an old, unused Trolley Station turnaround site into an urban pocket park in the heart of Downtown. The park is open to the public from sun-up to sun-down, seven days a week. All dog breeds and sizes are welcome; owners are responsible for their pets at all times.
The Bark Park was made possible through donations from TurfMutt Foundation and ComputerShare.
LEARN MORE
There is a CitySpot option for every space and every budget. Contact the Louisville Downtown Partnership for more information about how CitySpots can green up, activate, and energize Downtown… transforming under-utilized spaces into prized places.
Please call (502) 584 – 6000 or email us here.