LOUISVILLE, Ky. — State lawmakers are ready to invest in downtown Louisville.

The city is planning to use $100 million for several major projects.

What You Need To Know

  • Kentucky’s proposed budget would allocate $1 million for the Metro Louisville to use on major projects

  • The Kentucky House and Senate have passed their own versions of the budget. A final budget is needed April 15 

  • Louisville Downtown Partnership plans to use the money to develop and renovate several areas and buildings

The city of Louisville is preparing to spend big to revitalize parts of downtown. 

“But that kind of money means significant development and excitement in downtown for the things that can do,” said Rebecca Fleischaker, the executive director of the Louisville Downtown Partnership. 

The proposed city budget would allocate $50 million in each of the next two years for Metro Louisville to use on major projects.  

“Louisville is the economic engine of the state. So it is important to put money back into this central area that is so important for the economic health of the entire state,” added Fleischaker.

Fleischaker and her team believe it’s important to improve the buildings and amenities downtown.

“We want to be able to reimagine how they could be used. They could be great residential or hospitality uses, and we’d like to see some funds to help redevelop and make that make that project go,” she said.

The current plan is to use the money to develop The Belvedere; Community Care Campus; LouMed Campus; Louisville Gardens, vacant parking lots and the Butchertown Sports District. 

Fleischaker said, “We know that these six projects and other projects help to draw people here, whether it be locals, people from the state, people not from the state.”

The Kentucky House and Senate both passed their own versions of the budget. They must now come together and iron out their differences on a final budget by April 15.

Related Stories