The MSD Board voted this week to expand a massive underground tunnel to Lexington and Grinstead and eliminate a combined sewer overflow basin planned at the site. 

The Waterway Protection Tunnel will capture combined sewer overflow points that now discharge millions of gallons of sewage and rainwater into the South Fork of Beargrass Creek and the Ohio River. 

The tunnel will allow capture of 98 percent of these overflows and store the mixture until the rain subsides and sewer system capacity is available. The mixture will then be pumped back into the sewer system and conveyed to MSD's Morris Forman Water Quality Treatment Center resulting in a safer, cleaner environment and waterways for MSD’s community.

The tunnel begins just west of the central business district, at 12th and Rowan streets and was to continue east and southeast for 2.5 miles, ending near The Home of the Innocents on East Main Street. The expansion takes the tunnel further east to Lexington and Grinstead. 

MSD has assured me that plans for a trailhead to the Beargrass Creek Greenway will continue despite the elimination of the basin. Watch future editions of the eNews for more information about the trailhead and the eventual reopening of the Greenway. 

Jefferson County residents may drop off storm debris free of charge through Friday, July 27. Eligible debris includes tree limbs and other compostable materials. No construction or demolition materials, shingles, municipal garbage or manmade materials will be accepted.

Location and hours:
Metro Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue, Tuesday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 8am-3pm

The free service is available to Jefferson County residents only. Contractors or persons for hire must pay according to the posted fee schedule. They are not included in the free service. To qualify for the free drop-off residents must present the attendant government issued identification verifying Jefferson County residency.

Thanks to Siemens and CSX, St. Joseph Children's Home now has a high tech railroad crossing arm at the main entrance crossing. The equipment and installation is valued at nearly $250,000 but was donated to St. Joe’s by the two companies.

I was happy to be on site last week to help celebrate the partnership. Thank you Siemens and CSX! 

Litter is more than unsightly. The debris you see on our sidewalks and streets often ends up in the sewers, Beargrass Creek and the Ohio River. 

Earlier this year, we used your tax dollars to purchase and place eighteen new trash receptacles at bus stops along Frankfort Avenue.    

We need your help to fill them up, and keep the Avenue and the rest of D9 green and clean.  So what can you do? 

• When you see litter, pick it up and throw it away!  Bring a bag on your walks and fill it up as you go.  You will feel better by improving your neighborhood and you might just make someone who sees you a little more responsible.
• Make sure your trash (and that includes cigarette butts) is securely placed in the proper receptacle.
• Carry a litterbag in your vehicle or bicycle.
• Report at litterer to MetroCall: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metrocall-311/services/report-litterer.  The owner of the vehicle will receive a letter saying that someone reported seeing litter being thrown from their vehicle, and reminding the owner that littering is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or up to a year in jail. 
• Organize a cleanup in your neighborhood. Call our office at 574-1109. We’ll be happy to help with tools and supplies. 

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. 

Community ticket grant applications are now being accepted by Actors Theatre of Louisville. Local community groups and charities are invited to apply for a chance for your group to attend performances throughout the year. Click here to apply by August 3, 2018.

Who can apply: 501(c)(3) charities and community groups that serve individuals in the Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana area that for various reasons do not have the resources to attend a performance on their own.

Questions, please contact Melissa Hines, Marketing Manager, at mhines@actorstheatre.org or 502.584.1265 x3140.

On August 4th from 11am -10pm, Frankfort Avenue between Lexington Road and Bauer Avenue will be transformed into one of the best street festivals in Louisville! You’ll find bands, food, vendors, and activities for both adults and children.

Showcased will be area retailers, restaurants, and live entertainment. Family fun and activities include the free Kids Zone, Fun Zone and Wellness Fair. You will find vendors who have something special, unique or delicious to share with everyone! For more information, please visit www.stmatthewsstreetfestival.com.

LMPD will host National Night Out on Tuesday, August 7 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Peterson-Dumesnil House, 301 S. Peterson Avenue. There is fun for all ages, including food, music, door prizes, child ID cards. There will also be a way to safely dispose of expired drugs. National Night Out is a great way to interact with the LMPD officers who keep us safe every day.

St. Joseph Children’s Home, 2823 Frankfort Avenue, will host the 169th Annual St. Joe’s Picnic on Friday, August 10 and Saturday, August 11. All proceeds from the Picnic support children who have suffered abuse and neglect as well as help continue St. Joe’s mission of “Giving Children a Home”.

The Pre-Party on Friday, August 10 begins at 5:00 p.m. and will feature a new casino tent, new carnival rides, new booths, food vendors, live music and a cornhole tournament. The event will end at 10:00 p.m. The official picnic on Saturday, August 11 runs from Noon – midnight.

Tickets are required this year for all food, beverages, rides and activities at St. Joe’s Picnic. Avoid the ticket lines and purchase tickets in advance online until August 3, https://sjkids.ejoinme.org/picnictickets. Tickets will be mailed or picked up at will call.

Sign up to volunteer during the event. This is a great opportunity for youth to gain service hours. Click here to sign up online.

Consider making a donation or purchasing a cake for the cake booth. The Cake Booth is one of the largest grossing gaming booths at St. Joe’s Picnic. Click here to make a donation and St. Joe’s will pick it up for you.

Please mark your calendars for the 19th Annual Back to School Block Party at the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center, 201 Reservoir Park on Friday, September 7th from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Enjoy FREE Mellow Mushroom pizza, swimming, door prizes and family fun!  Make a child ID with LMPD.

We need VOLUNTEERS to make this event successful. If you are interested in volunteering or if you have any questions, please email Kyle Ethridge. 

Youth door prizes are still being accepted. If you are interested in donating a new children’s item or gift card, please contact the office at 574-3908 or email Kyle Ethridge. 

Thank you to sponsors who have already committed door prizes: 5-0-Lou, Blue Dog Bakery, Carmichael’s Bookstore, Heine Brothers' Coffee, Margaret's Consignments, Red Hog Butcher, and Roar-Shack Bookstore.