I want to thank all of the residents who participated in the tour of the Waterfront Park. From my vantage point, it appeared everyone enjoyed themselves and learned a lot. I was surprised by the number of folks who had never been to the Waterfront and many more had not seen some of the public art or cruised on the Mary M. Miller Riverboat.
This was the third tour of a series of outings that I plan to host for the residents of District 7 and others who get invited. I always announce the tours in an eNewsletter issue, and invite you to join me by signing up through EventBrite. Stay tuned for the announcement about the date, time and nature of the fourth tour. As with all these community-wide tours, you won't want to miss!
I hope you enjoy the recap of the Waterfront Park tour, and it inspires you to sign up and attend the next one.
Sand Dollar Transportation picked us up Saturday morning at Westport Middle School to get the tour started (We failed to take a picture of everyone on the bus!). Once everyone boarded the bus, we headed downtown and was greeted by staff and management of the Waterfront Park. We all loaded into golf carts (below) and were well on our way to an educational experience.
The golf cart drivers and tour guides were staff members of the Waterfront Park. They shared their Saturday with us, and for that, we are grateful. They were gracious, informative, and accommodating. We could not have asked for better weather or better staff to hang out with. We are pictured here at the tip of the Big Four Bridge. From here, you can see parts of Louisville, KY and Jeffersonville, IN.
My golf cart tour guide, Gary, is the Director of Facilities/Park Management. He shared lots of interesting (and funny) stories along the tour route and kept us entertained. He has a small staff, but they are mighty because every part of the park is well manicured and trash-free. It is quite amazing how he and his staff manage to keep our park so lovely, especially given the number of special events and functions held there on a consistent basis. Our hats are off to Gary and his staff!
We were able to ride-and-learn, and get out of the carts to walk around and view the sights. It was truly a lovely and educational day.
The Big Four Bridge is a great place to walk or ride a bike. If you've not been on or across the bridge, you should give it a try. The scenery is second to none! Also, the public art throughout the park is welcoming, beautiful, and inspiring. Oh, and you had to be there to get the unadulterated story about the the Flock of Finns (pictured above - bottom right).
We rode carts from one end of the Waterfront Park to the other, and then boarded the Mary M. Miller Riverboat for a cruise on the Ohio River. We ate lunch while cruising and were entertained by the Juggernaut Band. The band was fabulous (and a bit edgy, if you really paid attention to the words of most of their songs). It was great to hear about the riverboat and how it was named for Mary M. Miller, America's first female licensed steamboat captain.
THANK YOU, Waterfront Park management and staff. District 7 had a ball! We truly appreciate your time, and the knowledge you shared with us about the park's many features and attractions. The Waterfront Park is a community jewel and we are fortunate to have all of you involved in maintaining it and inviting guests from all over to enjoy it. The Waterfront is for everyone.
A very special THANK YOU goes to Deborah Bilitski (President/Executive Director, Waterfront Development Corporation) (WDC) (Pictured), David Karem (Director Emeritus, WDC) (Pictured), Ashley Smith (Director of Development, WDC), and Krista Snider (CEO, The Belle of Louisville). ALL OF YOU ARE SUPERSTARS!
Council Committee Meeting Recap
Several Council Committees included debate on some significant ordinances that are being proposed by various Council members. Several impending ordinances are summarized below:
1. Parks and Sustainability Committee - An ordinance to change the current Rental Registry to address rental property that is sub-standard or not code compliance.
2. Parks and Sustainability Committee - An ordinance related to temporary living accommodations or habitation in Metro Parks and obstruction of sidewalks and public right-of-ways. An amendment to this ordinance would make it illegal to camp in public parks with fines of up to $200 per day for a violation, as well as illegal to store personal property in a public space for any period of time, with fines of up to $1,000 per day.
3. Committee on Equity and Inclusion - A resolution relating to the voting of incarcerated individuals at Louisville Metro Department of Corrections. Several guest speakers addressed the committee about voting rights and education for incarcerated citizens, particularly those in jail pre-trial. The ordinance supports ID services, voting access, and voter education about restoration of voting rights and the rights to run for office.
4. Community Affairs, Housing, and Health Committee - A resolution in support of better public housing management and maintenance and a request that the Louisville Metro Housing Authority terminate its current contract for services with the CT Group, LLC or CT Associates, Inc,, or any subsidiaries or assignees responsible for managing and maintaining LMHA properties.
All of these proposed ordinances and resolutions are held in committee for further discussion. To view the meetings or review the agendas for these meetings, click here:
If you would like to see the agenda for any of the Metro Council’s Committee meetings clickHERE.
The full Metro Council meets this week on Thursday. To watch the Council meeting and access the agenda and related attachments, click here: Metro Council Meetings
2. Ormsby Lane Sidewalk Final Phase - FINISHED. The sidewalk now expands from Westport Road to New LaGrange Road. Additionally, the project came in underbudget by $15,000!
3. Other Sidewalk Projects:
A. Wesboro Road from Herr Lane to Hayward Road - Proposed for FY 2022 (Winter)
B. North Hubbards Lane from Westport Road to Brownsboro Road - Proposed for FY 2023
4. Abandoned Home Foreclosure on Carlimar Lane: This home has been abandoned and a problem for over 10 years. In my first year of my term in 2019, I was made aware that dilapidated cars with expired tags were parked in the driveway and the home was possibly abandoned. I met with Louisville Metro personnel and the code enforcement officer assigned to District 7, and was able to have the abandoned cars towed away from the property. The homeowners were contacted by Louisville Metro about the home and the towed cars, and the property owners updated the car tags and paid the fine to get them out of tow. Nothing was done to the home during the pandemic, but I managed to host a virtual meeting with some of the residents in Windhurst Acres and the Chief of Louisville Forward, Jeff O'Brien. We were told during the meeting that the house would be reviewed for foreclosure. I followed up months later with Mr. O'Brien and was told the house would be on the foreclosure list this fall. To date, I have not been able to verify that the house is in foreclosure and up for sale. I have sent an email to Jeff, the code enforcement officer, and a couple of Louisville Forward staff members. I have requested and I expect an update on this property this week. I will update you when I have additional information. NOTE: The foreclosure process in Louisville, KY is slow and inefficient. I plan to work with my Council colleagues to see if there is anything we can do by way of an ordinance to improve this process and the issue of abandoned houses. Both the foreclosure process and abandoned houses issue are out of control!
5. Herr Lane Developments by Hagan Properties - A. I spoke with a member of Hagan Properties staff on last Thursday and was told that construction on the 520-unit apartment complex called Providence Point will not begin until approximately 2024 or early 2025. I was told that they are working on another complex in another part of the city that will be constructed before the Providence Point apartments. B. Regarding the proposed condominiums, Hagan stated that there are a few more adjustments to be made to the plan before submitting for final approval (or denial) by the Planning Commission. This project is anticipated for 2023 or early 2024.
6.No U-Turn Signage at Westport Road and Washburn: The existing sign was plowed down by a motorist, but was replaced several days later by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). However, the No U-Turn sign has not yet been installed. The Louisville Metro Public Works Department told me on August 21st that the KYTC reviewed my request for a No U-Turn sign and it was approved. Then, Public Works accepted the responsibility of creating and installing the signage. To date, the sign has not been installed. I will follow up for the third time to see where they are with the project. Unfortunately, I continue to witness U-turns at this busy intersection. Very Dangerous!
More information on zoning processes • Public comment opportunities • Applications for a petition for a night hearing, including procedures to change the time and/or location of a public hearing to 6:00 pm or later downtown, or to a convenient location. • Visit https://louisville.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx for meeting agenda and staff report
I-71 South Between I-264 and I-265 Closes for Repairs
The closure of a portion of I-71 South began Friday, September 16th and will last for 10 days. Drivers will be rerouted from I-265 South to I-64 West to I-264 East to I-71 South. Those on I-265 North should continue on to U.S. 42 West to I-264 East to I-71 South.
The Juvenile Detention Center in Lyndon
From riots, fights, assaults on staff and teens having sex, some are urging for the Jefferson Regional Juvenile Detention Center to be closed down.
The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) has announced a second impound lot amnesty period for the Frankfort Avenue Impound Lot, located at 1487 Frankfort Avenue. This amnesty period is to help alleviate the tow lot overcrowding. This amnesty period will begin on Monday, September 19 and run through Friday, September 23.
The amnesty ordinance was passed by the Louisville Metro Council last December, and temporarily waives fees for removing vehicles from the impound lot.
The Frankfort Avenue Impound Lot is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM – 8 PM.
To determine if your vehicle is at the Frankfort Avenue location, please use this link: https://bit.ly/3LflHs4.
You may call the impound lot to schedule an appointment to pickup your vehicle at (502) 574-7078.
Monkeypox Cases are Low, But Stay Informed:
Have questions? Call the Kentucky Monkeypox Hotline at 844-520-6670.
Building from the Louisville Sustainability Council's mission to connect communities in pursuit of a sustainable and equitable future, we are proud to host Louisville 2030: A Better Tomorrow Begins Today. For this year's Louisville Sustainability Summit, we’re convening local and regional leaders in the business, non-profit, and government space to speak on policy, activism, and the sustainability movement required to shape a community vision for Louisville 2030. The summit begins October 6 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Achieving clean energy in Louisville—how they’re getting it done in other cities—a virtual event
One way for Louisville to meet its clean energy goals is to learn how other cities are meeting their goals—and that’s the focus of a public virtual forum this September.
On Wednesday, September 28, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., an event titled “REAL Good News” will hold its eighth in a series of quarterly public Zoom meetings to make sure Louisville implements its green energy goals. In 2020 the Metro Council passed a resolution to move the city’s operations to 100% clean renewable electricity by 2030. That resolution also sets a goal of 100% clean energy for the entire Louisville community by 2040.
This September’s event will feature a discussion about other cities with similar renewable energy resolutions. The discussion will focus on Cincinnati, which in 2018 became the 100th city to adopt a clean energy resolution. Today, some 200 cities have adopted similar renewable energy resolutions.
Speakers at the September event will include Robert McCracken with the Cincinnati Office of Environment and Sustainability, and Sam Avery and Margaret Stewart with the Renewable Energy Alliance of Louisville (100%REAL.)
Music by Louisville musician and activist John Gage will open and close the event. People attending will also be encouraged to attend Metro Council meetings to speak in favor of implementing Louisville's clean energy resolution.
The three sponsoring organizations are 100%REAL, Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light, and the Christian Action group of St. Paul United Methodist Church.
1. Betty Botter had some butter, “But,” she said, “this butter’s bitter. If I bake this bitter butter, It would make my batter bitter. But a bit of better butter, That would make my batter better.” So she bought a bit of butter – Better than her bitter butter – And she baked it in her batter; And the batter was not bitter. So ’twas better Betty Botter Bought a bit of better butter.
2. Ned Nott was shot and Sam Shott was not. So it is better to be Shott than Nott. Some say Nott was not shot. But Shott says he shot Nott. Either the shot Shott shot at Nott was not shot, Or Nott was shot. If the shot Shott shot shot Nott, Nott was shot. But if the shot Shott shot shot Shott, Then Shott was shot, not Nott. However, the shot Shott shot shot not Shott, but Nott.
3. A tree-toad loved a she-toad Who lived up in a tree. He was a two-toed tree-toad, But a three-toed toad was she. The two-toed tree-toad tried to win The three-toed she-toad’s heart, For the two-toed tree-toad loved the ground That the three-toed tree-toad trod. But the two-toed tree-toad tried in vain; He couldn’t please her whim. From her tree-toad bower, With her three-toed power, The she-toad vetoed him.
Safety Reminder:
The BIG Table
Metro Louisville now has an interactive map that will allow you to see what is happening in your neighborhood as well as others across the city. The map updates daily and if you choose you can receive alerts for your area by subscribing using the red receive alerts button on the page. Click here to try it out: Interactive Map to Track Crime.
Message from the LMPD 8th Division
. Please make note of the below tips to help make sure theft doesn't happen to you.
Never leave anything of value in your vehicle; this includes laptops, purses, GPS devices and even loose change.
Do not leave your vehicle running while unattended.
Always lock your vehicle doors.
Remove garage door openers from vehicles when parked outside.
Do not leave your keys in your vehicle, this includes key-fobs.
Do not leave the windows of your vehicle open, or partially open.
Try to park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
Never leave a firearm unprotected in your vehicle.
Immediately report any suspicious person, or vehicle to (502) 574-7111.
COVID-19 & MONKEYPOX INFORMATION
Louisville COVID-19 case counts are holding steady at the red-alert level. Health experts recommend people living in high community-level counties to wear a mask indoors in public, stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if experiencing symptoms. Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness
47.6 of those fully vaccinated have received a booster dose
Wastewater testing data shows the BA.5 variant to be the dominant variant.
Need help finding a COVID test or vaccination location? Have you tested positive for COVID, but aren't sure what to do? Call the LOU Health COVID-19 Helpline, 502-912-8598, available Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Language translation services are available.
Monkeypox tends to spread through close contact with someone who is infected with the virus. It can spread through prolonged face-to-face contact and intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling or sex. The virus can also be spread through materials, like bedding, that has previously touched an infectious rash or bodily fluids. Click here for more information: monkeypox
Louisville Metro Council livestreams all of its regular meetings and committee meetings on Facebook Live.
To see all meetings on Facebook Live, go to the Metro Council Facebook page by clicking here.
The public can also view all council and committee meetings on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. Proceedings are live streamed from the Metro Council Clerk’s Archived Media page here.
If you would like to see the agenda for any of the Metro Council’s Committee meetings click here.
To watch the Council meeting and access the agenda and related attachments, click HERE.
District 7 Disclaimer:By taking part in District 7 events, you grant Councilwoman Paula McCraney full rights to use the images resulting from photograph/video filming. Councilwoman McCraney will have the right to any reproductions or adaptations of the images for inclusion in her e-Newsletter or other Council publications. This might include, but is not limited to, the right to use them in printed and online materials, social media and news releases.
If you do not wish to be photographed, please email the District 7 office at paula.mccraney@louisvilleky.gov prior to event attendance.
