April 24, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

70º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:54 a.m. | Sunset 8:28 p.m.
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What’s up with the Urban Government Center?

The original hospital building was built in 1924, but plenty of annexes and additions have come since. | Photo via Louisville Metro.

If you’ve spent any time in Paristown or the Highlands, you’ve probably seen the massive, empty buildings between Barret Avenue and Vine Street. The property is enclosed by chain link fencing, and tall grass covers much of the exposed concrete. A huge smokestack dominates the center of the property — it’s tough to get lost in this area if you can spot it.

This is the Urban Government Center, a ~10 acre site that served as offices for Louisville Metro Government for decades until it was abandoned in 2016.

Since the government offices moved out, there have been multiple attempts to reuse the property. Here’s a breakdown of where things stand:

How we got here

2017: Metro Government reached an agreement with Louisville-based developer The Marian Group to renovate the property with townhomes, shotgun-style homes, and other affordable options. Sounds like middle housing.
2019: That agreement fell through.
2020: The city put out another solicitation of interest. It received two responses and selected Underhill Associates, which had similar plans to install housing on the abandoned property.
2021: Metro Government terminated the Underhill agreement after the developer failed to identify private funding for gaps in its budget. In December, the other applicant signed a development agreement with Louisville Metro Government.

Paristown Preservation Trust is the current prospective developer for the Urban Government Center property. The site was rezoned last year, but there are still a lot of “i’s to dot” before groundbreaking can begin.

The current situation

Paristown Preservation Trust is currently seeking a tax-increment funding district — aka TIF — to help pay for the costs. The developer is working with Metro Council’s labor, economic development, and appropriations committee + a community advisory group of surrounding neighborhood associations to move the project forward. You can contact the advisory group with questions or comments here.

Events

Thursday, April 25

Garden & Gun Distilled: Women of Whiskey | Thursday, April 25 | 11 a.m. | Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, 6220 Old Lagrange Rd., Crestwood | $200 | Raise a toast to the women of the bourbon industry with a curated meal and bourbon pairings.

Friday, April 26

The Spring StoryWalk® | Friday, April 26-Sunday, April 28 | Times vary | The Parklands of Floyds Fork, The Egg Lawn Signature Trail at Beckley Creek Park, 1411 Beckley Creek Pkwy., Louisville | Free | Read along with “A Mouthful of Minnows” by John Hare as you walk a 0.7-mile paved trail.
Once Upon An Orchestra: Bunny’s Book Club | Friday, April 26 | 2-3 p.m. | St. Matthews-Eline Library Branch, 3940 Grandview Ave., Louisville | Free | Enjoy an interactive orchestra performance + make your own instruments from recycled materials.
“Our VOICES Carry” | Friday, April 26-Sunday, April 28 | Times vary | Calvary Episcopal Church, 821 S. 4th St., Louisville | $20-$25 | Celebrate the 30th birthday of this local choir dedicated to equality and acceptance.

Saturday, April 27

Plant Sale | Saturday, April 27 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Louisville Zoo, 1100 Trevillian Way, Louisville | Free | Browse a selection of native plants to kickstart your garden.
The Bootroots Local Food Drop | Saturday, April 27 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Bootroots Drop Zone, 8003 Vine Crest Ave., Louisville | $6.50-$17 | Buy local sausage, bacon, beef, bread, and kombucha from four participating farmers at this group-buy event.

Sunday, April 28

Holi Mela 2024: Spring Festival of Colors | Sunday, April 28 | 12-6 p.m. | Hindu Temple of Kentucky, 4213 Accomack Dr., Louisville | $5 | Enjoy vegetarian food, carnival games, and live music and dance performances.
Uriah Heep & Saxon: Hell, Fire & Chaos | Sunday, April 28 | 7 p.m. | Mercury Ballroom, 611 S. 4th St., Louisville | $39.50-$49.50 | Find the Rainbow Demon and meet some other Demons + Wizards at this prog rock and metal show.

Saturday, May 25

Chamber Music Festival of the Bluegrass | Saturday, May 25-Sunday, May 26 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Rd., Harrodsburg | $50-$75 | Join New York’s Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center for performances on Memorial Day Weekend at Shaker Village in Harrodsburg, KY.*

Events calendar here

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Travel

10 Vrbos so amazing, they won 2024’s “Vacation Rentals of the Year”

The Paradise Found Vrbo in Florida, seen from the back with its expansive pool, palm tress, and outdoor living room.

Yes, all of these incredible houses are available to book. | Photo of Paradise Found via Vrbo

Vrbo released this year’s list of Vacation Rentals of the Year, and we can’t stop looking at these incredible homes.

Ranging from $711 to $4,750 a night and built to accommodate a crowd, these Vrbos were made to host the next big family vacation or group trip.

Sedona, Arizona: Palatial Paradise Estate

Heated infinity pool, game room, outdoor fireplace

Sand Lake, Michigan: Sandy Lakehouse

Pickleball court, bikes, paddleboards, and kayaks

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: Casa Acantilado

Ocean-view bedrooms, cliffside sauna, hot tub

See photos of all 10 Vrbos

News Notes

Civic

Beginning Saturday, June 1, Louisville will begin random inspections of rental properties. These inspections are part of the revamped Rental Registry program, a public registry of all rental properties. Inspectors will attempt to notify property owners + tenants prior to inspection.

Watch

Local historian Steve Wiser gave a presentation last week on the 1974 tornado that devastated large swathes of Louisville 50 years ago. The ~12-minute presentation is now available to watch online via the Louisville Historical League.

Edu

Teachers enrolled in the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Louisville Teacher Residency program can now pursue an accelerated master’s degree through Bellarmine University. Prospective instructors must have a bachelor’s degree, but doesn’t need to be in education. The program seeks to diversify JCPS faculty. (WDRB)

Kids

A 10-year-old Louisvillian named David Bowling placed second in his age category at the 2024 Elks National Hoop Shoot Finals basketball free throw competition in Chicago this weekend. Bowling scored 23/25 He was one of two Kentucky kids in the finals.

Feel Good

A family of baby geese was born yesterday at the South Central Regional Library. LFPL posted image of six goslings and two proud parents on Instagram — a sure sign of spring. Maybe they’re there to check out a telescope.

Sports

It sounds like Pat Kelsey needs to give David Bowling a call as he builds his winning Cards roster. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Cardinals with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

City

🚍 TARC launches a new ticketing app

The new TARC app makes ticketing cashless. | Photo courtesy Jamie Monck, TARC

The wheels on the bus go...

The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) launched a new mobile app yesterday allowing Louisville riders to purchase tickets with their smartphones.

The Token Transit app (available for Apple and Android) eliminates the need to bring exact change or purchase a MyTARC card. All standard passes, including single ride, 24-hour, 7-day, and 30-day passes are available in the app. Simply purchase a ticket on your phone and scan it face-down when boarding.

Anyone who currently uses reduced fares can still access them in the app, but they will need to call (502) 585-1234 to have their rates changed. Tickets purchased in the app also receive a $0.25 discount, bringing the standard adult fare down to $1.50.

MyTARC cards will still remain active, and can be purchased at participating Kroger locations, TARC’s headquarters (1000 W. Broadway), Nia Center (2900 W. Broadway), or online.

The Buy

A two-in-one wine stopper and pourer. We love: The drip-proof pour and how easy it is to flip the lever down for air-tight storage.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Declan

From the editor

If you’re looking for last minute plans tonight, come on out to Noble Funk Brewing + support the Center for Women and Families Denim Day community event. If you see me there, please say hey!

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