Publication Date: 07-16-2017
For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Jeanne Hilt
Director of Marketing
Louisville Downtown Partnership
(502) 614-4122 (Office)
(from left to right) The Courier-Journal Executive Editor Joel Christopher, The Honorable Mayor Greg Fischer, Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (Metro Council District 4), LDP Executive Director Rebecca Matheny, LDP Construction Navigator, Phillip Roby, LDMD Board of Director Mariah Gratz with Weyland Ventures
LDP PROVIDES MID-POINT DEVELOPMENT UPDATE AND ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COURIER-JOURNAL
LDP’S new Construction Navigator has “boots on the ground” to help mitigate construction traffic issues
(Louisville, KY) – Downtown Louisville is in the midst of a major revitalization, with 34 development projects currently underway with completion by the end of 2018, and another 26 due to begin later this year.
In an effort to keep people informed of the construction traffic associated with all of that development, the Louisville Downtown Partnership (LDP) today announced a new partnership with The Courier-Journal that is designed to help Downtown workers, residents, businesses, tourists and citizens navigate busy city streets during this exciting period of growth.
“Our organization has worked very hard to keep our Downtown stakeholders informed of construction issues that may impact their commute, as well as provide information that has helped tourists and ticket holders arrive at Downtown attractions or entertainment venues before the curtain rises,” said Rebecca Matheny, LDP’s Executive Director. In the past year, LDP has issued 65 Traffic Alerts covering road, sidewalk and special event closures. “It is difficult to overstate how important this information is to our community,” Matheny said. “For example, a sidewalk closure can have a tremendous impact on a lot of folks, especially people with disabilities, and this information makes all the difference in the world,” Matheny added.
Thanks to the new partnership, LDP’s state-of-the-art Downtown Traffic Map is available on both the LDP website: www.louisvilledowntown.org as well as the C-J’s website: www.courier-journal.com.
“We are committed to Louisville and know how important this information is to our community,” said Joel Christopher, the newspaper’s Executive Editor. “We have been chronicling the city’s news since 1869, and we believe it is a community service to share information that will help citizens and visitors navigate urban streets during this historic chapter in Downtown Louisville’s history.”
In addition to working with partners like Louisville Metro, Utility Companies, and Traffic Mitigation companies, LDP has hired a “Construction Navigator” who works to identify and resolve issues, including cross referencing and verifying active permits, making sure that only permitted lanes are closed and work occurs during the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“When the development activity began in earnest about a year ago, we began direct communication with our ground-level partners, including the companies that place signage and traffic cones throughout Downtown,” Matheny said. As a result, LDP has also developed a partnership with Flag Pros and others who send their daily work orders to LDP. This information is then cross-referenced with Louisville Metro’s permits office and verified by LDP’s new Construction Navigator, Phillip Roby.
“Phillip is literally out in Downtown every business day making sure permits are being followed carefully. Commuters have him to thank for getting home a bit faster as he quickly reports anything obstructing the flow of traffic like broken down vehicles, illegally parked cars, and construction taking place after 3 p.m.” Matheny said. In addition, Roby reports any traffic flow issues to the Louisville Metro Police Department, the Parking Authority of River City, Louisville Metro Public Works, and Traffic Engineering Signs and Markings if needed. Direct aid to motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists is available through the LDP Ambassadors.
There are currently 34 development projects underway downtown, representing over $925 million in investment. According to LDP, a few of the larger projects currently underway remain on target for completion, including:
The Omni Hotel will be completed in spring 2018
The Kentucky International Convention Center will be completed in July 2018
The Main & Clay Apartments will be completed in early 2018
The Old Forester Distillery will be completed in spring of 2018
U of L’s Pediatric Medical Office Building will be completed in summer of 2018
111 Whiskey Row will be completed by the end of 2017
Kindred Healthcare on South Fourth Street will be completed in October 2017
In addition, 26 development projects representing nearly $727 million have been announced for Downtown Louisville, including:
The Moxy/Westin Hotel development slated to begin late 2017
The Norton Children’s Hospital renovation slated to begin summer 2017
The 700 East Main Street project slated to begin mid 2017
The Ohio River Tunnel project slated to begin fall of 2017
“This current wave of Downtown revitalization has opened the door to additional interest from outside investors and developers from all over the country,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “We believe Louisville’s citizens, particularly Downtown stakeholders, will benefit greatly from this cooperative effort to communicate construction traffic. We also want to convey the message that Downtown is open for business, and we want folks to come Downtown to check out what all of the excitement is about.”
LDP drives economic growth in Downtown and adjacent central-city neighborhoods for the benefit of the entire region, as well as oversees multiple on-street enhancements that help establish Downtown Louisville’s distinctive character and widespread appeal. LDP believes the economic engine of any great city starts with a strong Downtown.
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