6AM City In-house

New life is blossoming dowtown

Louisville Gardens to become a production studio
LOUtoday_Louisville Gardens 1
The proposal includes restoring the building’s facade to its original design from 1905. | Rendering by Gensler
The Louisville Gardens building could blossom into a production studio, thanks to a $65 million proposal from River City Entertainment Group.

Mayor Greg Fischer announced that Louisville Metro Government signed a letter of intent with the entertainment company on Friday, Dec. 9 to explore redeveloping the historic building, which closed permanently in 2008. The last concert held at the venue was in 2006 with local music legends My Morning Jacket.

River City Entertainment Group looks to transform the 6,000-seat venue at 525 W. Muhammad Ali into a film and digital production studio with sound stages for music — a much needed resource for the growing (and highly incentivized) film industry in Kentucky.

Here’s what’s in the proposal:
  • Restoring the building’s facade back to the original look as the Louisville Armory from 1905, plus other exterior features
  • Renovating the offices, black box theater, and internal structure to construct sound stages
  • A retail space and museum highlighting the building’s 100+ year-long history
Louisville Metro Government will next negotiate the terms of a development agreement with River City Entertainment Group — which will determine a timeline, total renovation costs, incentives, and assessment of community benefits.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved the company for $700,000 tax incentives through the Kentucky Business Investment program. If approved, River City Entertainment Group will need to meet annual targets and create 50 full-time jobs over the next 10 years.
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Kroger

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Tuesday, Dec. 13
  • The Moth StorySLAM: ANNIVERSARY | Tuesday, Dec. 13 | 8 p.m. | Headliners Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Rd., Louisville | $15 | Hear audience members tell five-minute stories around the theme of anniversaries.
Wednesday, Dec. 14
Thursday, Dec. 15
  • Holiday Centerpiece Workshop | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 6-7 p.m. | Oberer’s Flowers, 1115 Herr Ln., Louisville | $50 | Create a holiday floral arrangement with step-by-step instructions.
Friday, Dec. 16
  • After Hours at the Speed | Friday, Dec. 16 | 5-10 p.m. | Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. 3rd St., Louisville | $14-$20 | Check out the Speed’s new Art Nouveau exhibit, dance with the Louisville Silent Disco, and sip creative cocktails.
  • Sugar Cookie Reindeer Cake Decorating with Bae | Friday, Dec. 16, Sunday, Dec. 18 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Bae’s Baekery, 1164 S Brook St., Louisville | $65 | Create a holiday reindeer cake with a piped holly berry border and sugar cookie antlers and nose.
Saturday, Dec. 17
  • The Flea Off Market 12th Annual Indoor Holiday Bazaar | Saturday, Dec. 17-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | The Henry Clay, 604 S. 3rd St., Louisville | Free | Shop from local vendors inside this Beaux Arts architectural gem with a full bar onsite and live music.
Sunday, Dec. 18
  • Eat Your Veggies | Sunday, Dec. 18 | 6:30 p.m. | The Fat Lamb, 2011 Grinstead Dr., Louisville | $85 | Dig into a five-course vegetarian dinner (with an optional wine pairing) from award-winning Chef Dallas McGarity that benefits Dare to Care Food Bank — reservations required.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS
6AM City In-house

Weather
  • 46º | Partly cloudy | 8% chance of rain
Announced
  • English rock band Bush is coming to Derby City next year. The four-piece band, known for 1990s hits like “Glycerine” and “Machinehead,” will play at The Louisville Palace on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Tickets start at $39.50. 🎸
Open
  • Plant-based soul food restaurant Soul Hi Vegan is open in its new location inside Mellwood Art Center (Ste. 115) in Clifton. Stop by Monday-Saturday for Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, wings, and more.
Number
  • $500,000. That’s how much money Goodwill Industries of Kentucky received in grants from the Truist Charitable Fund and Truist Foundation. The funds will go towards Goodwill’s GoodStart program and the Norton Healthcare Goodwill Opportunity Campus in West Louisville. (Louisville Business First)
Civic
  • New year, new parking rates. Starting on Sunday, Jan. 1, rates at parking garages and meters operated by Parking Authority of River City will be increased. The new fees will help absorb the new state parking sales tax applied to parking services across the Commonwealth in House Bill 8. 🅿️
State
  • Speaking of House Bill 8, Kentuckians will begin paying less income tax in January. The state is dropping the tax from 5% to 4.5% — that’s about $300 less for a person making $60,000 a year. To offset the dip, 35 new services were incorporated into the state’s 6% sales tax — like parking services.
Seasonal
  • Your seasonal screening (and quoting) of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” could come in handy tomorrow, Dec. 13, during Hi-Wire Brewing’s holiday movie trivia. Festive teams of up to six people can play for free starting at 7 p.m. Hopefully, for more than a jelly of the month club membership. 🫙
Eat
  • Christmas Eve charcuterie, anyone? At Murray’s Cheese, aka Kroger’s dedicated cheese department, employees can help shoppers create customized charcuterie boards as well as assist with wine pairings. Gouda news: Several have even attended the American Cheese Society and passed the Certified Cheese Professional Exam. 🧀*
Sports
  • Now’s the time to buy the sports lover in your life a holiday present, because Fanatics is offering sitewide sales. Easily find licensed sportswear and collectibles like jerseys, hoodies, and outerwear for the world’s most popular sports teams and win the holidays.*
Travel
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6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Katie.

Editor’s pick: When you wake up tomorrow morning and find that we’re not in your inbox, no need to sound the alarms.

We’re hitting the pause button for a day, but we’ll be back bright and early on Wednesday at 6 a.m. In the meantime, remember that you never have to enjoy your cup of coffee sans LOUtoday. You can always browse some of our greatest hits on our website or follow us on Facebook and Instagram, where we post every day about what’s going on around Louisville.

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