In 2024, Louisville Downtown Partnership released the Downtown Strategy – a 10-year vision for how the city, businesses, and residents can ensure that Downtown Louisville continues to thrive as the economic, cultural, and creative center of the region. Public–private led projects that will bring that vision to life fall under three Strategic Initiatives: Activate Downtown, Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood, and Enhance the Public Realm.
In its second year, more than half of the 63 projects are either in progress or in planning phases.
- LDP and the City are lobbying for state support of a Downtown Investment Fund and new residential property tax rebate program
- “Downtown Tunes” outdoor piano program launched with four pianos and is expanding to eight pianos across Downtown in spring 2026
- The iconic Humana Tower will soon be transformed into a 1,000-room convention hotel enhancing Louisville’s ability to attract large conventions and national events
- Former Brown & Williamson 26-story tower to be converted into a 418-room luxury hotel
- One Forty West, a new 27-story tower, 300-room hotel, is moving forward on W. Market St.
- TARC’s new temporary Downtown Transfer Center is coming to Muhammad Ali Blvd. and 8th St. in summer 2026
- Planning is underway to establish a Downtown Entertainment District along Whiskey Alley with activations around sporting events and concerts
- JCTC’s Center for Science & Discovery, part of the $90M Jefferson Rising project, is open featuring state-of-the-art science labs for students
- Hotel Bourré Bonne opened its doors and rooftop bar and restaurant at 2nd & Market streets
- The Downtown Commercial Loan Fund, administered by LDP, supported the opening of Five Iron Golf on S. 4th St. and a new beauty salon, Ké Luxé Beauty Bar, on E. Main St.
- LDP launched the Downtown Work Perks program in summer 2025; returning in April 2026
- HB 775 passed in March 2025 by the Kentucky General Assembly and includes Arena TIF carve outs to support major new downtown projects
- Weyland Ventures is moving forward with the $28M conversion of the Fiscal Court Building into 106 apartments
- The Downtown Housing Assistance Fund, administered by LDP, closed on a loan for $1.5M for Liminal, bringing 138 affordable apartments and commercial space to Portland
- The Hubbuch Building, 320-324 W. Main St., is slated to be converted from office space to 14 residential units
- Construction of a 10-story multi-family residential building is underway as part of the $78M NuLu Crossing project
- $250M mixed-use development planned for the parking lot adjacent to Louisville Slugger Field is in the design phase
- 776 residential units completed in 2025 with the openings of The Yard, The Prestonian, Beecher Terrace, and more, with 2,557 units currently announced or underway
- The Chancery opened, offering 38 units of permanent supportive housing for our community’s most at-risk residents
- Home for Good initiative launched to develop more permanent supportive housing options in Louisville
- Two new CitySpots opened in 2025 adding pops of color to underutilized spaces, with two more CitySpots in the works for 2026
- A major landscaping replacement of S. 4th St. between Muhammad Ali Blvd. and Broadway is complete. String lighting to be added this spring!
- Construction is underway on Main Remade project for two-way street conversion
- Main St. mural to be installed this summer to beautify and brighten the pedestrian area under the I-65 overpass
- New underpass lighting in planning for I-65 overpasses at Jefferson and Liberty streets, and the 2nd St. bridge
- The River Road Multi-Modal project added color-changing lighting and improved pedestrian experience on River Rd. between 3rd and 7th streets, improving connectivity between Downtown, Waterfront Park and Waterfront Park Phase IV
- LOUMED Commons, Trager MicroForest, Waterfront Park PlayPort, and the New Walnut Street Park are all open, increasing greenspace in and around Downtown
- Artist Laurie Blayney selected to install a new mural at 10th and Rowan streets, near Waterfront Park’s PlayPort, in spring 2026
- The rotating public art series will continue to pop up in high-traffic public spaces for 4–6 week intervals, creating fresh visual interest and opportunities for community engagement
- Stantec Consulting Services Inc. and Speck Dempsey’s Downtown Street Network Plan & Nulu Walkability study is complete