Director's Take

Borrowing Ideas

08-15-2024

Dear Friend,

Sometimes, I think we get so caught up in our own city and daily routines, that we can lose sight of what might be happening on a larger scale than what we see just around us. I love visiting other cities and getting a new perspective on life. Their lives – both the people walking around in that city and how the community sees itself. It’s evident by what they invest in and make time for, and it provides me a great way to see what’s possible and bring fresh ideas back home. I veer between both jealousy and pride… and yet, either way, I think Louisville’s Downtown is pretty cool!

I have visited European and American cities and always look for public art, modes of transportation, how businesses interact with the street, and beautification efforts… basically how cities tell their own unique stories. I’ve been working in Downtown for 25 years but having the lens of responsibility through my job fuels my enthusiasm for implementing new projects and programs. The great thing about “borrowing” ideas from other cities is that everyone can have bragging rights, but rarely does anybody have ownership rights.

I’m excited about enhancing our Downtown with unique lighting, engaging public art, and enhanced beautification that bring our public spaces to life. I want to create new “places” for programming – where people can come together for lunch, for a meeting, to relax, or catch up with a friend. I also want special events that bring people together to experience the beauty, fun, and sense of community that Downtown engenders.

These projects take funds, and you can always contribute in your own way by becoming a Friend of Downtown. LDP is continuously raising funds to bring these projects to life! Together, we can build a thriving community that we are proud of, and that other cities are looking to for inspiration. Already I’m seeing cool things take place in Louisville that other cities want to “borrow.”

See you on the streets soon!