Louisville Water is making additional repairs to its 60-inch water main that broke on June 18 along Grinstead Drive.  Following the break, Louisville Water replaced a section of the main and then performed two robotic inspections of the pipe before putting it back into service.

The inspections use electromagnetic devices that move through the water main to check for leaks and pipe strength.  The inspection found two places where Louisville Water needs to make additional repairs.  One site is very close to the original break and the second is near Peterson Avenue. 

Louisville Water began the repair work on Tuesday (07/14) morning. It will take approximately 10 days to complete.  During the work, part of Grinstead Drive will be closed to through traffic and/or have detours between Kennedy Avenue and Springdale Road and a second location between South Peterson Avenue and South Galt Drive.

The repairs do not involve removing sections of pipe.   Instead, crews will install steel bands to strengthen the pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipe. Water service will not be interrupted.

Curious on how the robotic inspections work?  Check out a video at LouisvilleWater.com

The food pantry at St. Matthews Area Ministries (St. MAM), located at Beechwood Baptist Church in Beechwood Village,  is closed due to a flooded basement from Sunday morning's storm.  Water, which was as high as three feet in portions of the building, destroyed both food supplies in the food pantry and some equipment.   The pantry will be closed at least the rest of the week and perhaps next week as well.  

St. MAM serves the 40207 zip code, which includes much of District 9.  It brings together ten member churches to effectively meet emergency needs, to stabilize families in transitional situations and to provide a nurturing and healthy environment for children.

St. MAM is requesting financial donations so that it can reopen and serve families in need as quickly as possible.  Donations can be made here:  http://www.youcaring.com/st-matthews-area-ministries-392220 or by mail to Julie Abbott, Executive Director, 201 Biltmore Road, Louisville, KY 40207. 

Nick Campbell, a Trinity High School sophomore, chose a sustainability issue for his Eagle Scout project and enlisted the help of friends and other members of Boy Scout Troop 325 in the effort.  The group labeled 200 storm drains in the St. Matthews area with the "No Dumpling- Drains to Beargrass Creek" labels.  The label shown here is on Nanz Avenue in District 9. 

Nick learned of the difficulties of Louisville's combined sewer system and the pollution problems that exist with Beargrass Creek at a presentation by the Beargrass Creek Alliance (BCA). After deciding to tackle the labeling project, Nick, with help from BCA, identified and obtained storm drain maps for a several mile area in need of labeling.  Nick and a dozen or so volunteers then cleaned, labeled and recorded the drains. Both the volunteers and neighbors learned about the creek's pollution problems during the project. Good work, Nick! 

You can learn more about our combined sewer system and BCA here: http://kwalliance.org/what-we-do/watershed-planning/current-projects/beargrass-creek-alliance/

We’d like to feature your sustainability story - a resident or business doing good things for the environment.  Riding the bus, bicycling, walking, gardening and more - our eNews will feature practices which can benefit all of us.  Send your story to Bill Hollander or Kyle Ethridge. 

Last Saturday, July 11, nearly 500 volunteers from Northeast Christian Church – Clifton Campus (NECC) and the Louisville Master Gardeners Association worked along Frankfort Avenue to trim the rose bushes and do general maintenance at the bus stops. The event was a huge success and the corridor looks much better thanks to these volunteers!

Another group from NECC worked along Brownsboro Road between Kenilworth and Lindsay to trim back the overgrowth along the sidewalk and do general maintenance. The area and sidewalk is clear of debris and is a vast improvement for those who walk along Brownsboro Road. Thanks again for the dedicated volunteers from NECC and thanks to Brightside for helping to coordinate the effort.

Metro Public Works (MPW) completed the following paving projects in D9 in the last few days.

• S Hite Ave. from Frankfort Ave. to S Bayly Ave
• Cleveland Blvd from Pryor Ave. to Mt. Holly Ave.
• Country Club Rd. from VA entrance to Cleveland Blvd

Preparations are beginning for additional paving on Payne Street and other District 9 roads.

Photos show before and after repaving.

The D9 office has appropriated funding for graffiti abatement for the past several years. Those funds are used to remove or cover graffiti in the right-of-way on signs, electrical boxes, bus shelters, dumpsters, walls, etc. If you see graffiti, please take a moment and contact our office via email at kyle.ethridge@louisvilleky.gov or call the office at 574-1109. Please have the exact location and description of what the graffiti is on.

Photo: Courier-Journal

The next Community Conversation is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 27 at Louisville Water Tower Park, 3005 River Road. The program will include a discussion of crime and Neighborhood Watch programs in District 9. We also want to hear from you on any topics, an unscripted, open conversation about your vision for D9 and the City. Please mark your calendar and join us – and bring along a friend or neighbor!

Please join us for the 16th Annual Back to School Block Party at the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center, 201 Reservoir Park on Friday, September 11th from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Enjoy FREE pizza, swimming, door prizes and family fun!  We need VOLUNTEERS to make this event successful.  If you are interested in volunteering or if you have any questions please contact our office at 574-1109 or email kyle.ethridge@louisvilleky.gov.

It was a big week at St. Joseph Children’s Home (SJHC) on Frankfort Avenue in District 9. Last Thursday, there was a celebration of four new residential cottages for 48 of Kentucky’s most abused children.  Some of the new residents cut the ribbon, while Kosair Charities presented a $1 Million donation for the project.  Move-in day was this Monday, celebrated with balloons.  

It has adapted to meet the needs of children and families. What started as an orphanage has evolved into three core services:  a Residential Treatment Program for abused and neglected children; a Therapeutic Foster Care and Adoption Program for children birth to 21; and a Child Development Center for children six weeks through pre-K.  

The 166th Picnic is coming soon – August 7 and 8.  Visit http://sjkids.org/picnic/ for more information! 

The staffed recycling center at the East District Public Works Yard, 595 Hubbards Lane, is closed until further notice due to flood damage. A complete list of other recycling centers that remain open can be found at www.louisvilleky.gov/government/public-works/services/recycling.

It’s not too late to sign up for the Louisville Youth Choir Summer Camps. They are open to grades 4th -12th and don’t require an audition or previous singing experience to join in on the fun. The camp runs July 27th – 31st at Sacred Heart School for the Arts, 3105 Lexington Road, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. each day, lunch provided. Closing camp concert on Friday, July 31st at 4:00 PM (This FREE Concert is a part of the Cultural Pass!). Camp fees are $225 and include camp experience, t-shirt, lunch, snacks and one outing to an area attraction mid-week.  For more information, please visit http://louyouthchoir.org/summercamps/.