Google Fiber and Mayor Fischer announced last week that Louisville is one of three additional cities being considered for a fiber-optics network that could provide ultrafast Internet service, at lower prices than is now being charged for other services.  Google Fiber can provide broadband speeds of a gigabit per second, or 1,000 Mbps, where download speed in Louisville now averages 11.9 Mbps. The monthly residential costs in other cities with the service are $130 for TV and Internet or $70 for only Internet.

Louisville was named along with Irvine and San Diego, two California cities, for a joint planning process between Google Fiber and city leaders.  First steps involve a detailed study of factors that affect construction, such as local topography, housing density, and the condition of existing infrastructure. Meanwhile, cities will complete a checklist of items - such as providing a map of utility lines—that will prepare them for a large-scale fiber build.  Google Fiber says the process, which it has used in other cities which eventually received the service, takes a massive infrastructure project and breaks it into manageable pieces. 

When the planning process is completed, Google Fiber will determine if and when it can begin providing its service in the city.  

Google Fiber’s announcement noted that Louisville and the other two cities “are growing tech hubs with entrepreneurial cultures—great places to show us what’s possible with gigabit speeds.  We’re looking forward to working together as we explore bringing Google Fiber to these communities.”

To show your interest and receive updates from Google on its progress, enter your physical and email addresses here:  https://fiber.google.com/about/louisville. 

Last week there were three water main breaks on Haldeman Avenue in Clifton. It’s been a rough period for residents as crews closed the street, worked to connect a temporary water service line and prepared the street for work on the water main. The Louisville Water Company determined the water main needs to be replaced and work started last week by removing the old bricks on the street. Louisville Water plans to clean the bricks and then replace them back onto Haldeman after the new main has been installed.

Louisville Water will work to begin the installation of the new water main the week of September 21. It anticipates the project taking several months but plans to work hard to minimize lane closures and temporary water outages. Stay tuned for additional information about this project.

Last month, Metro Council approved a resolution encouraging more solar energy facilities -- both in private and public spaces in Louisville.  I was proud to be one of the two original sponsors. 

D9 resident Steve Ricketts is an owner of Solar Energy Solutions (SES) (http://www.solar-energy-solutions.com/), which installed the solar panels off Cannons Lane that power the Air Pollution Control District's station and other facilities there (featured in our August 27 eNews).    The company is currently completing solar arrays on Louisville Metro Housing  Authority' s Sheppard Square revitalization in Smoketown.   The former Presbyterian Community Center at the site will be transformed into housing for the elderly and disabled, including apartments for disabled veterans. The rehabilitation of this property also includes community space on its main level, which will house a variety of offices and a large community room. It will be powered by a 200-panel solar system.   SES will start the installation in October and be complete by year end.  In addition, seven apartment buildings, with eight units each, will have solar.  Each of these buildings will have a 20-panel solar system.  The photo shows progress at the site earlier this summer.

President Obama recently announced a series of measures designed to put more solar panels on low-income housing and expand access to solar power for renters.  The plan's goals include tripling the amount of solar power installed on low income housing and promoting “community solar" -- solar panels on public property that supply clean power to renters or others without the ability to put panels on their roof.   The plan is part of the administration's overall plan of transitioning to cleaner energy by offering support for renewables.  The administration notes that the cost of a typical rooftop solar system has fallen by 50% since 2010, and that last year more solar power was brought online every three weeks than in all of 2008.

D9’s Steve Ricketts thinks the combination of solar and affordable housing has great potential.  He also hopes Metro Council's recent resolution will be a first step in Louisville taking more of a role in an area where it has lagged.  I do too!

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. 

The Parking Authority of River City (PARC) recently launched a new system so residents and visitors to Downtown Louisville could pay for their parking transactions by mobile phone. Motorists may initiate parking sessions from the comfort of their vehicle, or while walking to their destination – without ever needing to deal with credit cards or coins!

To use the new PassportParking system, customers register for free from their mobile phone by downloading the mobile app, calling the toll free number on the signage or sticker or at www.passportparking.com.

Once registered, motorists can use a mobile app, the internet, or a mobile phone call to 502-785-7230 to pay for parking. The phone number is displayed on signage throughout the city and on the parking meters and pay stations.

After setting up the account, customers can immediately start using the system with their registered mobile phone. Motorists can also select the option for reminders to receive text message & in-app reminders before your time expires. Motorists can track parking expenses & print reports through PassportParking’s secure site.

For the past seveal years, the District 9 office has hosted a mobile tax preparation site at United Crescent Hill Ministires, offering free tax prepration to individuals and families under a certain income bracket. Each year we depend on volunteers to help prepare taxes and greet clients at our mobile site. We have a few dedicated volunteers that help us out every year, but we need more! This year we’d like to offer additional tax preparation dates and hope you’ll consider joining our team! If you are interested in volunteering for the 2015 tax season (February-April 2016) please contact Kyle Ethridge at kyle.ethridge@louisvilleky.gov or call 574-1109. The first volunteer training will be offered on December 12.

United Crescent Hill Ministries (UCHM) has begun an After-School program for the 2015-16 school year. It is open Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m. to allow time for both middle and elementary school youth to participate. 

The program’s goals include:

• Work on important school “stuff” (homework assignments & tutoring);
• Allow the kids to learn from each other;
• Eat healthy snacks;
• Balance work with play – in UCHM’s game room or outdoors;
• Encourage creative thinking;
• Offer opportunities for expression through arts & crafts projects;
• Maintain a safe space with qualified supervision; and
• Work with each child and his/her family to best meet individual needs.

For additional information, to enroll your child, to volunteer, or to learn other ways you can participate, please contact Gayle Collins at 893-0346, ext 102.  Please enroll your child(ren) as soon as possible so they can plan staffing and programs more effectively.