In 2024, Louisville Downtown Partnership (LDP) released the Louisville Downtown Development Strategy ā 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. The Strategy outlines public and private led projects that will bring that vision to life, and focuses on three Strategic Initiatives: Activate Downtown, Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood, and Enhance the Public Realm.
The projects outlined in the strategy encompass a mix of public, private, and public-private-partnership developments. In its first year, nearly half of the 65 projects are already underway or in the early stages of planning.
KEY
PUB – public sector
PRI – private sector
PPP – public-private-partnership
Action Item Status
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Last Updated: March 27, 2025
| Major Category | Projects | Public/Private | Plan Priority | LDP Role | Assigned To | Status | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activate Downtown | Highlight downtown arts and entertainment anchors and incentivize bringing arts and music into the public realm on a regular basis. | PPP | Short-term | Fund/Implement | LDP | Ongoing | Music added to Food Truck Wednesdays and upcoming Happy Hour. New music program will be rolling out May 2025. |
| Activate Downtown | Encourage and incentivize non-traditional indoor/outdoor uses in downtown including film venues music family entertainment and recreation. | PPP | Short-term | Fund/Implement | LDP | Ongoing | Dates and movies for Downtown Drive-In 2025 have been set. |
| Activate Downtown | Encourage more food drink and music opportunities in open spaces including pop-ups and food trucks. (Re-Imagine the downtown Open Space Network) | PPP | Short-term | Fund/Implement | LDP Louisville Tourism | Ongoing | Action being taken to establish two new Entertainment Desitination Centers in the Downtown area. First Food Truck Wednesday scheduled for April 30 2025. |
| Activate Downtown | Support the redevelopment of Louisville Gardens as a hub for new creative uses. | PUB | Short-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Cabinet for Economic Development | In Progress | Redevelopment announced in February 2025. Contruction to begin late 2025 for $70M multipurpose soundstage. The city is planning exterior demolition around the entrance of the building to reveal the condition of the original facade underneath. |
| Activate Downtown | Establish a Louisville Creativity Center downtown that highlights and celebrates the buzz around local innovations in bourbon food music and design. | PPP | Long-term | Transformational Initiative | LDP Louisville Tourism | To be Developed | Identify assistance from Board. |
| Activate Downtown | Activate Muhammad Ali Boulevard from 5th Street west to 18th Street through the Old Walnut Street Corridor Plan celebrating its rich heritage as the African-American community's music and entertainment hub. | PPP | Mid-term | Advocate | Louisville Metro LDP UofL | In Progress | Construction is underway at Envirome Institute and Phase One of Trager MicroForest. Contruction to begin late 2025 for $70M multipurpose soundstage at Louisville Gardens. Phase One of New Walnut Street Park is underway with construction expected to be complete Fall 2025. |
| Activate Downtown | Promote and support the emerging downtown Education Corridor with emphasis on improved safety and security. | PPP | Mid-term | Convene | LDP | Ongoing | Downtown education and business leaders have convened to create the Education District concentrated around the Broadway and 4th Street corridors. They are working together to define the group. |
| Activate Downtown | Strengthen LOUMED as downtown's major economic development driver. | PPP | Mid-term | Steward | LOUMED | Ongoing | LOUMED Commons is the first of many redevelopment phases as LOUMED plans to rebuild 250 acres spanning across 22 city blocks over the next five years in multiple phases. The first phase is expected to be finished by late 2025. |
| Activate Downtown | Catalyze the development of underutilized Louisville Metro-owned properties in downtown districts lacking activity-generating anchors. | PUB | Mid-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Cabinet for Economic Development LDP | Planning | LDP is working with Louisville Metro to research Metro-owned properties. |
| Activate Downtown | Recognize a Greater Downtown approach ā broader than a Central Business District; highlight the character of each downtown district and prioritize connectivity between them through pedestrian bicycle and transit enhancements; and establish a common nomenclature for downtown identity and promotional efforts. | PPP | Mid-term | Fund/Implement | LDP Louisville Metro - Dept of Planning | Planning | LDP and Tourism have identified Districts; Planning for Phase Two of wayfinding district signage. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Streamline downtown outdoor dining regulations to encourage more outdoor dining opportunities; utilize the Downtown Commercial Loan Fund to subsidize new or improved outdoor dining facilities. (Improve connectivity between Waterfront Park and Downtown Louisville) | PPP | Short-term | Advocate | LDP Louisville Metro - Dept of Planning | Planning | LDP has met with the Office of Planning to discuss a change in the Land Development Code, including a new sidewalk width standard. Regulations are sufficient; now working on regulatory changes to expand dining capability. |
| Activate Downtown | Highlight and support the University of Louisville's Four Corners expanding downtown presence; enhance pedestrian connections between and among these nodes; develop the 515 West Market Building as the downtown campus anchor; strengthen transit connections between the Belknap and downtown campuses. | PPP | Mid-term | Steward | UofL | To be Developed | - |
| Activate Downtown | Establish a Downtown Investment Fund to catalyze high-priority development initiatives with a greater degree of flexibility than traditional incentive programs and to invest in pilot projects. Privately raised equity investment augmented by public funds. | PRI | Mid-term | Transformational Initiative | LDP | Planning | Founder of Cincinnati's fund will be presenting to and sharing best practices with the DDC Board. |
| Activate Downtown | Prioritize new activity-generating anchors in downtown's less robust districts. | PPP | Mid-term | Transformational Initiative | LDP | To be Developed | Identify assistance from Board. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Undertake a bold redesign and reprogramming of the Belvedere in coordination with and as the crown jewel of the Open Space Network. (Re-Imagine the downtown Open Space Network) | PUB | Short-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Office of Mayor | In Progress | Planning documents have been filed with KIPDA. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Capitalize on and continue progress made under the CitySpots initiative. (Re-Imagine the downtown Open Space Network) | PPP | Short-term | Fund/Implement | LDP | Ongoing | Phase One of CitySpot at 4th and Jefferson streets is complete; Phase Two coming in June 2025. CitySpot at PNC Tower is under development. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Add pedestrian-oriented lighting colors banners and gateway visual elements from 3rd to 9th Streets river to Broadway. (Enhance the pedestrian crossings at 4th 6th 7th and 8th streets) | PUB | Short-term | Fund/Implement | LDP | In Progress | Banners are in place from 3rd - 6th streets, District signage going in on 4th Street in 2025. LDP is pricing string lighting designed for S. 4th Street. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Transform the former Louisville Metro correctional facility on Chestnut Street into a new LOUMED central Green. (Improve the LOUMED environment) | PPP | Short-term | Steward | LOUMED | In Progress | First phase expected to be complete by late 2025. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Accelerate repair and maintenance of downtown infrastructure including sidewalks streetlights benches and trash receptacles. | PUB | Short-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Office of Mayor/Office of Transportation/Public Works | Ongoing | - |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Implement a 10-year funding program for major street improvements and pedestrian enhancements including a continuous bicycle network through downtown. (Refocus downtown streets with a pedestrian-friendly orientation) | PUB | Short-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Office of Mayor/Office of Transportation/Public Works | Ongoing | - |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Accelerate two-way conversions of north-south streets. (Refocus downtown streets with a pedestrian-friendly orientation) | PUB | Short-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Office of Transportation/Public Works | Planning | Two-way conversions for 7th and 8th streets are in planning. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Convert Market and Jefferson Streets from one-way to two-way traffic. (Refocus downtown streets with a pedestrian-friendly orientation) | PUB | Short-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Office of Transportation/Public Works | Planning | East Jefferson Street from Baxter Avenue to Brook Street was converted into a two-way street in October 2024. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Reduce vehicular travel lanes on major east-west streets like Market Main Jefferson and Chestnut. | PUB | Short-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Office of Transportation/Public Works | Planning | Planning work to start Spring 2025. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Refresh the western portion of Waterfront Park - including Festival Plaza and the water feature - and improve connections south via 1st Brook and Floyd Streets; consider relocating riverboats to this area. (Improve the LOUMED environment) | PUB | Short-term | Steward | Waterfront Park | In Progress | Waterfront Park is working on a refresh of Festival Plaza. River boats are looking at docking to the east. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Develop more neighborhood-oriented open spaces in the SoBro area including the redesign of Library Plaza Memorial Park and Ben Washer Park. | PUB | Short-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Dept of Planning/Metro Parks/Library | Planning | Urban Design Studios Capstone project to begin Spring semester 2025. |
| Other Implmentation Actions | Establish a dedicated Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) division for downtown; increase LMPD visibility and coverage with a full complement of foot bicycle and horseback patrols. | PUB | Short-term | Advocate | Louisville Metro - LMPD | In Progress | LMPD has added OT hours and positions to the Downtown Area Patrol with increased patrols including on foot, UTV and horseback. |
| Other Implmentation Actions | Maintain the enhanced Downtown Ambassador team permanently. | PRI | Short-term | Fund/Implement | LDP | To be Developed | LDP in process to expand BID boundaries and start conversation around an increase of the assessment rate. |
| Other Implmentation Actions | Provide assistance to property owners and tenants to reconfigure Class-A office space based on the needs of today's office users. | PUB | Short-term | Fund/Implement | LDP | Ongoing | - |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Establish as Louisville Metro policy a commitment to the transformation of downtown's streets prioritized for pedestrians. (Refocus downtown streets with a pedestrian-friendly orientation) | PUB | Short-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Office of Transportation/Public Works | In Progress | Work to start Spring 2025. |
| Other Implmentation Actions | Create a Transitional Housing Investment Fund led by the private sector and matched by Louisville Metro to fund the construction and operations of 200-300 additional trainsitional housing units available for the unhoused population. | PPP | Short-term | Convene | LDP Louisville Metro | To be Developed | - |
| Other Implmentation Actions | Continue annual Metro fund allocations to address downtown infrastructure repair and maintenance backlog. | PUB | Short-term | Fund/Implement | LDP Louisville Metro | Ongoing | LDP has requested $75K for maintenance. LDP will develop a 10-year funding plan for major street improvements. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Implement transformation of the 100 block of Washington Street into the pedestrian and entertainment-focused Whiskey Alley. (Refocus downtown streets with a pedestrian-friendly orientation) | PPP | Short-term | Convene | LDP | In Progress | Street has been converted to one-way. New striping added to loading zone. Strong lighting is in development. LDP is working with businesses to establish an activation calendar. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Add bright and decorative lighting. (Improve the pedestrian environment under and through the I-65 overpasses) | PUB | Short-term | Fund/Implement | LDP | In Progress | Underpass lighting complete on Main and Market; Jefferson and Jackson streets are in planning. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Convene a group of key stakeholdersāincluding those involved in the Breonna Taylor protests and the public safety communityāto collaboratively discuss and determine the most appropriate redesign of Jefferson Square given the significance of the space for both groups. (Re-Imagine the downtown Open Space Network) | PUB | Long-term | Convene | Louisville Metro - Mayor's Office | To be Developed | - |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Advocate for Louisville Metro property redevelopment plans to include residential components. (Encourage development of residential clusters at the edges of downtown) | PUB | Short-term | Advocate | Louisville Metro - Cabinet for Economic DevelopmentDept of Planning | In Progress | $250M mixed-use development planned for parking lot adjacent to Louisville Slugger Field. LDP advocating for Civic Center, Mud Lot and former Museum Plaza site to include residential components. |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Streamline zoning and land use regulations to prioritize and expedite residential development including revisions to the Land Development Code that specifically encourage the development of missing middle housing. (Encourage development of residential clusters at the edge of downtown) | PUB | Short-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Dept of Planning | Planning | - |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Provide grants and technical assistance to property owners who wish to investigate potential conversions. (Support and incentivize the conversion of appropriate Class-B and Class-C office buildings to residential use) | PPP | Short-term | Transformational Initiative | LDP | TBD | LDP made request to Mayor for feasability study funding in FY26 budget. |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Develop and implement a unique signature streetscape program along 4th and 5th Streets connecting nodes of the Open Space network. (Re-Imagine the downtown Open Space Network) | PPP | Short-term | Fund/Implement | LDP | Planning | Urban Design Studios Capstone project to begin Spring semester 2025. |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Develop a coordinated improvement program for public and private open spaces between 4th and 6th Streets including Founders Square Garvin Brown Garden Cathedral Alley Courthouse Square the KCA steps Muhammad Ali Plaza PNC Park and Aegon Plaza. (Re-Imagine the downtown Open Space Network) | PPP | Short-term | Fund/Implement | LDP | Planning | Urban Design Studios Capstone project to begin Spring semester 2025. |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Revise the Arena TIF to provide additional incentives to downtown projects that are within the Arena TIF boundaries but currently excluded from its benefits. | PUB | Short-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Cabinet for Economic Development | COMPLETE | HB 775 passed in 2025 General Assembly and includes Arena TIF Carve Outs. It supports major new downtown projects, primarily focused on transforming surface parking lots into new housing, retail and restaurants. |
| Activate Downtown | Revisit long-term transit from the south (Airport KFEC UofL Spalding Simmons etc.) to downtown Louisville including light rail/bus rapid transit. | PUB | Long-term | Steward | Office of Transportation/Public Works Louisville Tourism | To be Developed | - |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Prioritize the redesign of West Market Street in conjunction with Louisville Metro property redevelopment and the Open Space Network program. (Refocus downtown streets with a pedestrian-friendly orientation) | PUB | Long-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Office of Transportation/Public WorksKYTC | To be Developed | - |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Create a Public Art Trail within the network of open spaces and consider a public artist Creative Corps program similar to the Louisville Orchestra program for music. (Re-Imagine the downtown Open Space Network) | PPP | Long-term | Advocate | Louisville Metro - Office of Arts & Creative IndustriesLDP | To be Developed | - |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Encourage more commercial development adjacent to Waterfront Park along River Road. (Improve connectivity between Waterfront Park and Downtown Louisville) | PPP | Long-term | Advocate | Waterfront Park | To be Developed | - |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Create enhanced and welcoming pedestrian crossings at 4th 6th 7th and 8th streets. (Enhance the pedestrian environment of River Road) | PUB | Long-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Office of Transportation/Public Works | To be Developed | - |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Complement the new police headquarters relocation by redesigning the park fronting the building on Chestnut Street between 6th and 7th Streets. (Re-Imagine the downtown Open Space Network) | PUB | Long-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Dept of Facilities/Metro Parks | To be Developed | LDP will take findings from Urban Design Studios Capstone Project - plazas & parks (Spring semester 2025). |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Improve sidewalks and streetscape elements on both sides of the underpass. (Improve the pedestrian environment under and through the I-65 underpass) | PUB | Long-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Office of Transportation/Public Works | To be Developed | - |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Provide signature entranceways at Brook/Chestnut Street and at Preston Street/Muhammad Ali Boulevard. (Improve the LOUMED environment) | PUB | Long-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Public Works | To be Developed | LDP to work with LOUMED to develop plan and budget. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Develop the Waterfront Development Corporation properties south of Witherspoon Street. (Improve connectivity between Waterfront Park and Downtown Louisville) | PUB | Long-term | Steward | Waterfront Park | To be Developed | - |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Prioritize a pedestrian bridge over the rail tracks at 15th Street to facilitate a neighborhood connection and spur residential development in Portland and Shippingport. (Improve connectivity between Waterfront Park and Downtown Louisville) | PUB | Long-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Public Works | To be Developed | - |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Install wayfinding signage. (Improve the pedestrian environment under and through the I-65 underpasses) | PPP | Mid-term | Fund/Implement | LDP Louisville Tourism | In Progress | LDP and Tourism have identified Districts; Planning for Phase Two of wayfinding district signage. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Implement the proposed public realm network enhancement program within LOUMED including Chestnut Street Brook Street and Abraham Flexner Way. (Improve the LOUMED environment) | PPP | Mid-term | Steward | LOUMED | In Progress | Construction expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026. Gresham Smith to lead project design of Chestnut Street Improvement Plan. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Enhance connections to both downtown and the Russell/Portland neighborhoods as part of the West Waterfront Park expansion including improvements from Market Street to the Park along 10th through 13th streets. Consider implementing a mural program along the Rowan Street flood wall. (Improve connectivity between Waterfront Park and Downtown Louisville) | PUB | Mid-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Public Works and Arts & Creative Industries | In Progress | Artist Laurie Blayney selected for the large-scale floodwall mural located at 10th and Rowan Street. More information at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/arts-culture/floodwall-mural-pilot-project. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Prioritize improved connectivity between downtown and the Ohio River in the River Road extension and Belvedere redesign plans. (Improve connectivity between Waterfront Park and Downtown Louisville) | PUB | Mid-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Office of Transportation/Public Works | Planning | Work on River Road to start after Derby 2025. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Provide a pedestrian connection between Washington Street and 10th Street. (Improve connectivity between Waterfront Park and Downtown Louisville) | PUB | Mid-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Office of Transportation/Public Works | Planning | LDP is working with Louisville Metro Public Works. |
| Enhance the Public Realm | Reduce travel lanes/expand sidewalks on 5th and 6th Streets. (Refocus downtown streets with a pedestrian-friendly orientation) | PUB | Mid-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Office of Transportation/Public Works | To be Developed | Work to start Spring 2025. |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Collaborate with property owners in the Butchertown/East Main Street area on redevelopment programs to create new residential clusters on undeveloped parcels. (Encourage development of residential clusters at the edges of downtown Louisville) | PPP | Long-term | Convene | Louisville Metro - Cabinet for Economic Development LDP | Planning | Butchertown Apartments project, featuring 200 upscale apartments, is planned for the site next to Lynn Family Stadium. Announced March 2025. |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Secure special property tax relief legislation for office-to-residential conversions including reduced assessments and/or property tax moratoria. (Support and incentivize the conversion of appropriate Class-B and Class-C office buildings to residential use) | PUB | Long-term | Fund/Implement | LDP | In Progress | LDP lobbying at KY General Assembly for Property Tax Abatement expansion. HB797 filed on Feb. 19 by Rep. Jared Bauman. Approved in 2025 General Assembly: HB 775 ā ā¢ Arena TIF Carve Outs. Supports major new downtown projects, primarily focused on transforming surface parking lots into new housing, retail and restaurants. ā¢ Museum Plaza TIF Renewal. Supports the major development of vacant lots at 7th & Main Street/River Road. SB 25 ā New Tool for Urban Housing. Expands Industrial Revenue Bonds to include multi-family housing, a new tool for funding urban residential developments. |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Invest in pilot residential developments in targeted areas: SoBro Russell/Shippingport and east downtown. (Encourage development of residential clusters at the edges of downtown Louisville) | PPP | Long-term | Transformational Initiative and Convene | Louisville Metro - Cabinet for Economic DevelopmentLDP | To be Developed | Private investment happening in SoBro with LDG's MotorWorks affordable housing development. |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Expand assistance offered for office-to-residential conversions to include the development of surface parking lots with a strong residential component. | PUB | Long-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Cabinet for Economic DevelopmentLDP | In Progress | Louisville Metro Gornvernment reviewing Downtown Louisville Building Conversion Program applications (funding from $100M allocation from the General Assembly. Approved in 2025 General Assembly: HB 775: Arena TIF Carve Outs. Supports major new downtown projects, primarily focused on transforming surface parking lots into new housing, retail and restaurants. |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Assist with needed ancillary improvements such as parking streetscape enhancements and alley closures. (Support and incentivize the conversion of appropriate Class-B and Class-C office buildings to residential use) | PUB | Long-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Office of Transportation/Public Works | To be Developed | Addressed project by project. |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Investigate property valuation assessment policy changes designed to catalyze vacant property redevelopment. | PPP | Mid-term | Convene | LDP (with PVA) | To be Developed | - |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Proactively assemble properties for missing middle neighborhood housing developments. (Encourage development of residential clusters at the edges of downtown Louisville) | PPP | Long-term | Transformational Initiative | LDP | To be Developed | - |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Advocate for prioritizationāand streamlining of the regulatory review processāof the State Historic Tax Credit Program for office-to-residential conversions. (Support and incentivize the conversion of appropriate Class-B and Class-C office buildings to residential) | PPP | Mid-term | Steward | Louisville Metro - Dept of Planning | To be Developed | - |
| Reinforce Downtown as a Residential Neighborhood | Invest in high-priority residential conversions utilizing local or state capital infusions the Downtown Investment Fund and a recapitalized Downtown Housing Fundāparticularly those conversions offering a range of affordability. (Support and incentivize the conversion of appropriate Class-B and Class-C office buildings to residential use) | PPP | Mid-term | Transformational Initiative | Louisville Metro - Mayor's Office LDP | In Progress | LDP made request to Mayor for feasability study funding in FY26 budget.. |