Plus, the Louisville Zoo is up for a national award.
 
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Today’s Forecast

62º | Cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:41 a.m. | Sunset 6:13 p.m.
 
🏢 High profile real estate
Two skyscrapers stand tall against a the backdrop of a sunset.
More than 33,000 pieces of granite were used in constructing the building. | Photo courtesy Louisville Tourism
Earlier this week, news broke that Humana plans to vacate its award-winning 26-story tower on Main Street over the next 18 to 24 months, moving workers to its other office buildings in downtown Louisville.

Some quick facts to know about the building:
  • Built: 1985
  • Designed by: Michael Graves
  • Size: ~650,000 sqft
  • Time Magazine named it one of the 10 best buildings of the 1980s
  • American Institute of Architects recognized it with its National Honor Award in 1987
Louisville skyline

The Humana building, seen on the far right, has been an iconic part of the Louisville skyline since 1985.

|

Photo by Louisville Tourism

Humana officials are reportedly working with Mayor Craig Greenberg’s office on future plans for the building. So, we asked our ~43,000 Instagram followers what they thought should happen. Here are some of the responses:

“Mixed income residential. It would be the smartest city intervention ever undertaken in Louisville. It would reinvigorate downtown and reclaim it as a living urban center. The location is perfect.” — @drewpluta

“I’d like to see someone attempt to build a mixed income, walkable community, but vertically... Have plenty of affordable housing, but offset the cost with some nicer apartments near the top. Incorporate a grocery store, some retail space, a primary care and mental health clinic, a library and a community center.” — @rahamilton

“Turn it into an apartment building over looking the city.” — @1stshft

“Reimagine the space as a state of the tech and arts public high school. It’s already hard wired for tech, has loads of common spaces for open learning, and is across the street from the Kentucky Center for the Arts, a potential collaborator.” — @markusnyc20

“Bring another big company in to buy it out.” — @rccoffey22

“Put back the Ollie’s Trolley that used to be there?” — @tonia_bee.329
 
Asked
 
What should happen to the Humana Building?
 
 
Events
 
Thursday, Feb. 8
  • Valentine’s Day Speed Dating Event | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 7-9 p.m. | Number 15, 121 W. Main St., Louisville | $25 | If you’re between the ages of 40 and 60 + looking for love, stop by this event and see if sparks fly.
  • Ladies’ Night Out | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 5-7 p.m. | Westport Village, 1301 Herr Ln., Louisville | Free | This Galentine’s Day-themed celebration will feature discounts at various Westport Village businesses, wine and bourbon tastings, permanent jewelry, and more.
Friday, Feb. 9
  • “Last Night at Mikell’s” | Friday, Feb. 9-Sunday, Feb. 25 | Times vary | Theater at the Henry Clay, 604 S. 3rd St., Louisville | $12-$22 | This play depicts a New York meet-up between author James Baldwin, jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, and poet Maya Angelou.
  • Swift Me Away: Swfitie Valentine’s Dance | Friday, Feb. 9 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | Vernon Lanes, 1575 Story Ave., Louisville | $13-$15 | Meet up with other Taylor Swift fans to dance, with no chance of “Bad Blood.”
Saturday, Feb. 10
  • Kids Valentine’s Painting | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 1-3 p.m. | Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave., Louisville | $30 | Bring your kids, 12 and under, for a Valentine’s painting experience.
  • Heartbreaker’s Ball: An Emo Silent Disco | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 9 p.m. | Mile Wide Beer Co., 636 Barret Ave., Louisville | $10 | Dance along with other emo kids to songs from DJ SpringBreak.
  • Palentine’s Day Cocktail Class | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 1-3 p.m. | Angel’s Envy Distillery, 500 E. Main St., Louisville | $65 | Invite your best pals along for a special celebration of friendship and the whiskeys that bind.*
Sunday, Feb. 11
  • “Facing East” | Sunday, Feb. 11 | 12:30-2 p.m. | Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. 3rd St., Louisville | Free | See this eye-opening documentary about controversial burial practices at a Louisville cemetery.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Civic
  • Three Louisville sites may soon be designated as historic landmarks. The Metro Council Planning and Zoning Committee passed a resolution designating Wheelman’s Bench, Manual Stadium, and Iroquois Amphitheater as landmarks. It now heads to the full council for consideration. Guess we’ll have to update our landmarks guide. (WHAS11)
Featured
  • TripAdvisor released it’s Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best Awards, and Louisville was named as a Top-15 Trending Destination. Derby City placed 12th on the list. This is the second “Trending Destinations” list that LOU has been featured on.
Award
  • The Louisville Zoo has been nominated for two awards as part of USA Today’s “10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.” The Zoo is up for Best Zoo in the US, while the Glacier Run exhibit was nominated for best zoo exhibit. Vote for the Louisville Zoo.
Arts
  • Ballet artist Natalia Ashikhmina is retiring from the Louisville Ballet after 18 seasons. Her last performances will be on Friday, March 1 + Saturday, March 2 in the role of Juliet in “Romeo & Juliet.” Get tickets.
Sports
  • Take me out to the ballgame...The Louisville Bats have released their promotional schedule for the upcoming season. The schedule includes a Derby 150 night on Saturday, April 13, and a Muhammad Ali bobble-head giveaway for season-ticket holders. The Louisville Slugger Field home opener is Friday, March 29.
Traffic
  • A new Dept. of Public Works policy will make it easier to get speed humps installed on your street. The policy will automatically send ballots to people living on a street where a hump had been proposed. Previously, the applicant had to personally track down their neighbors for approval. (WLKY)
Health
  • UofL Health wants to help you unlock the power of prevention. Learn how a heart-healthy diet can be your shield against cardiovascular issues with the preventive cardiology program at UofL Health.*
Wellness
  • Give yourself a gift this Valentine’s Day with a different kind of facelift from Elivate Wellness. IntimaLase® is a unique, incision-less, non-invasive laser therapy to help those experiencing vaginal relaxation syndrome. Interested or have questions about the procedure? Connect with the Elivate Wellness team.*
Travel
 
 
History
 
Positively monumental
A bronze statue of a man holding a musket and a bird stands with tall skyscrapers in the background.
The Statue of York was created by artist Ed Hamilton, and installed on the Belvedere in 2003. | Image via National Park Service
History is more than what you can read in a book, and this Black History Month you can see important locations from the past yourself.

These four monuments honor Louisville’s Black History.

On the Banks of Freedom | 10th and Main Streets

These two limestone benches are engraved with the names of enslaved persons from Kentucky along with portraits representing an enslaved man and woman. They are located on the banks of the Ohio River.

Statue of York | The Belvedere

This bronze statue overlooks the Ohio River and depicts York, an enslaved man who traveled with Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery.

Charles H. Parrish Jr. Freedom Park | University of Louisville

This park features glass plaques honoring nine people with connections to the UofL that had impacts on Civil Rights.

Civil Rights Trail | Downtown Louisville

During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, sit-in demonstrations were held across the south, including in Louisville.
 
The Buy
 
The Giving Heart pillow — a cream, knitted, heart-shaped pillow that’s weighted to replicate the feeling of a real hug. It’s the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for loved ones who deserve some extra coziness and care.
 
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The Wrap
 
Jeff-Milby-headshot-LOU Today’s edition by:
Jeff
From the editor
If you read LOUtoday or follow us on social media, you’ve likely seen the photography skills of Pradip D. Patel on display.

Patel’s work isn’t totally Louisville-centric — there are frequent shots of Las Vegas and, as the @U2Photography handle implies, the band U2 — but Patel’s stills of the ‘Ville are always top-notch.
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