LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The budget talks began on Monday, on how the city's $986 million will be spent.
Louisville Metro Council is vetting Mayor Greg Fischer's spending plan. Of the many things on his spending list, is $4 million to help pay for the Waterfront Park expansion into West Louisville. The park's Phase IV is to add 22 acres of park onto the existing area downtown, which some people feel would be an asset to the city's West End. But as one councilman put it, the park expansion "is a want," while there are many other needs."
The money talks began Monday, as Metro Council committees heard presentations on why certain city departments claim to need the funding as proposed by Mayor Fischer. Council members are heavily vetting the expenditures, quizzing the Office of Equity Monday on the dollars planned for community conversations, and other programs.
Still to come, is conversation on expanding Waterfront Park. The expansion would grow the park in Councilman Jecorey Arthur's (D- District 4) district.
"We don't have these types of spaces that are accessible for people who live in the West End of Louisville, and that's why it's important. But as I said, this is something that we want," Arthur told Spectrum News 1. "This is recreational, when we know there's a housing crisis that definitely needs to be addressed."
Additionally, Arthur says the development would uproot some of the houseless community living in areas where Phase IV is planned, under areas of I-64.
"I used to always view that as the front yard of our city. Anyone and everyone was able to use the waterfront for their events, for their getaway, for their escape," Arthur continues. "Now, we're going to bring the waterfront to the hood. So, I'm excited about the expansion, but at the same time, there is an encampment that will displace people. This expansion will displace some of our constituents who live outside who are unfortunately displaced, houseless. So I've actually been working with the Waterfront on relocating our brothers and sisters who live outside."
Renderings of the park plan can be found on the Waterfront Development Corporation's page, maps showing the plan for a kids' park and more.
Parkgoers were spread about the park Monday evening, walking, biking, and relaxing. Theresa Garner brought her 4-year-old twin granddaughters to the swings for an outing. She feels a park expansion is a good idea, making it more convenient for people she knows to enjoy the public space.
"I think it would be a great idea because people will not have to walk as far or drive to get here," says Garner, "instead of catching the bus, or getting in their car."
As for the city spending, there are two public meetings set for May 13 and May 27. People can voice their opinions then.