In 2023, the Office of Sustainability (OS) was elevated to Mayor's Office, received a budget increase unanimously approved by Louisville Metro Council, welcomed two new staff members, and posted three new positions. With a growing team and elevated office, the OS has had the opportunity to work with agencies across Louisville Metro Government (LMG) to align budgets and plans with the city's goals to reduce emissions and promote renewable energy. Notably, sustainability has been incorporated into the Mayor's affordable housing strategy My Louisville Home as well as the economic development strategy Growing Louisville Together.
The OS also hosted another successful year of Solar Over Louisville with partners, the Kentucky Solar Energy Society and Louisville Sustainability Council, as well as selected installation partners Solar Energy Solutions and Icon Solar Power. The program resulted in nearly half a megawatt of solar installed.
The OS engaged with the community through hosting an Earth Day Town Hall with the Mayor and more than 80 attendees, sponsoring the Environmental Justice Conference, Louisville Sustainability Summit, and Earth Walk, hosting Solar Over Louisville workshops, and attending mutiple community events including CycLOUvia and Waterfront Wednesday. Other projects and programs included advocating with the Public Service Commission for cleaner energy that supported the retirement of two coal plants.
Through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Buildings Upgrade Prize, the OS secured $400,000 towards increasing energy affordability through energy efficiency measures in Louisville. LMG also received $1 million through the EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. In early 2024, the OS will work with partners within and outside of LMG develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution with this federal funding.
Below, you will find a non-exhaustive list of sustainability efforts across LMG:
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 In December, the OS, in partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), hosted a feedback session with affordable housing and energy justice stakeholders to discuss an equitable clean energy transition for housing.
Safe Streets for All
Louisville Metro Public Works won two Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) implementation grants in 2023 totaling nearly $30 million. The first is to “rightsize” ten corridors throughout Louisville, including parts of S. 22nd Street and Zorn Avenue. Rightsizing, also called a road diet or roadway reconfiguration, typically includes converting a four-lane undivided roadway to a three-lane roadway, with two travel lanes and a two-way left turn lane, or center turn lane. This strategy has been proven to reduce both the number and severity of crashes.
The second grant will convert 2nd and 3rd Streets from one-way to two-way, between W. Broadway and W. Cardinal Blvd. The project corridors of 2nd and 3rd Streets are in historic Old Louisville and connect Downtown and the University of Louisville. The project aims to transform 2nd and 3rd streets from one-way thoroughfares to two-way streets that reduce speeding and improve the safety and vibrancy of a dense, walkable neighborhood.
Complete Streets
The Complete Streets Coalition (CSC) spent a majority of their allocated funds through a participatory budgeting process, and started to review the Complete Streets Checklist, which is an oversight process to ensure that all publicly funded transportation projects align with LMG’s complete streets goals. Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities must be able to safely move along and across a complete street. Please visit the Complete Streets website for more information on the CSC and the completed projects.
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Energy Efficiency
Since 2021, energy efficiency strategies implemented by LMG's Energy Manager have produced approximately $2.3 million of energy cost savings and reduced overall energy use by more than 10%. In 2022, Louisville Metro Council formalized a new Energy Innovation Fund (EIF) to reinvest these savings back into energy capital projects that improve LMG’s energy performance.
16 energy projects have been selected for funding from the EIF, including LED lighting projects, improvements to HVAC systems, and expansions to our building automations and controls systems. LMG has also issued a Request For Proposals for an energy services and construction management contract in order to pursue deeper building energy retrofits on a larger scale.
In 2023, the Department of Energy awarded LMG a Better Practice Award for launching a self-financed energy management system through the implementation of the Energy Innovation Fund.
In November of 2023, LMG hired its first ever Energy Analyst, Spencer Ruggles. Spencer brings valuable energy management experience to the team and will help accelerate the implementation of energy management priorities.
LMG’s fleet now include 25 electric and 75 hybrid vehicles, and there are ongoing efforts to continue purchasing suitable electric vehicles as they become available. Charging stations have been installed to keep up with internal needs accordingly.
100% Clean Electricity for Metro by 2030
This year, OS in partnership with the Department of Facilities and Fleet and Louisville Gas & Electric, has been actively exploring options to achieve LMG’s goal of achieving 100% clean electricity for LMG operations by 2030.
 Louisville’s move to improve the quality of its tree canopy and limit future effects of the Urban Heat Island received a significant win when Louisville Parks and Recreation received $12 million, the department’s largest-ever grant, from the USDA Forest Service. This funding is being invested in underserved communities in Louisville through maintaining and growing the urban tree canopy, protecting green spaces and pollinators, increasing green workforce development, and creating neighborhood community outreach initiatives. Alberta O. Jones Park officially opened in the California neighborhood. Under the leadership of the nonprofit Parks Alliance of Louisville and a community-driven planning process, residents chose everything from recreational amenities to naming the park after Alberta Jones, a pioneering Louisville attorney and civil rights champion.
2023-2024 Tree Plantings and Prunings
Prun-A-Vul: October 10, 2023, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Victory Park
Community Wide Planting Day with TreesLouisville: November 11, 2023, 12-3 p.m. at 1617 Maple St.
Community Forester Training: November 18, 2023, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at 9300 Whipps Mill Road
Schnitzelburg Neighborhood Tree Planting: December 2, 2023, 12 - 3 p.m. at 1107 S. 17th Street
Pruning and Pints: December 13, 2023 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Noble Funk Brewery
MLK Day Tree Planting: January 15, 2024, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. at Victory Park
Pruning and Pints: February 7, 2024, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at the Granville Pub
Pruning and Pints: February 21, 2024, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at the Old Louisville Tavern
Community Forester Training: March 2, 2024, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at 9300 Whipps Mill Rd
TreeFest: March 16, 2024, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Petersburg Park
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 On January 9 at 6 p.m., the Air Pollution Control District will host State of the Air: Louisville's Year in Air Quality, a free virtual workshop on Louisville’s air quality in 2023. The workshop will include updates on local monitoring data, Louisville’s national air quality standards status, wildfire smoke impacts, odors, and other aspects of APCD’s work. Register for the State of the Air workshop here.
The APCD’s Lawn Care for Cleaner Air program celebrated 20 years in 2023. Since LCCA’s inception in 2003, the program has issued over 12,000 total rebates on lower-emitting lawn equipment, keeping nearly five million pounds of pollution from Louisville’s air. Learn more about getting a rebate or how nonprofits can apply for a grant package of electric lawn equipment.
In 2023, 29 local businesses signed up to be Air Quality Action Partners. In addition to taking voluntary actions that improved air quality, the helped at least 2,700 local employees receive air quality alerts on days when air quality was forecast to be unhealthy, allowing them to take action to protect their health and reduce their own impact on the air.
APCD and partners received $1 million from US EPA’s Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program (EJG2G) for Ambient Air Toxics and Health Action for the Rubbertown Area. During this three-year project, partners will complete an air pollution monitoring study at various locations in west Louisville. Results of the study will be used to develop and support policy recommendations for air pollution and land use to reduce air pollution exposure and help medical practitioners improve early detection and treatment options.
 The Louisville Metro Department of Economic Development is remediating and redeveloping brownfields. At the Rhodia site near the Park Hill and Algonquin neighborhoods, Louisville Metro Council approved an investment of $10 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to pay for the removal of contaminated soil at the site of the now vacant Rhodia chemical plant.
Proposed development for the site includes a mixed-used, mixed-income community with affordable, market-rate and student housing, offices, retail and café-like spaces, a wellness center, and an urban park plaza as the centerpiece of the complex, all of which are amenities requested by Park Hill and Algonquin community members who participated in the proposal.
Read frequently asked questions and WDRB's story on the redevelopment at the Rhodia site.
 Large Item Pickup by appointment is available in the Urban Services District. Quickly get rid of up to four large items, once per week, by simply making an appointment. This means plenty of opportunities to dispose of large items and improved neighborhood cleanliness!
Landfill diversion rate from the 2023 Pop-Up Drop-Off events increased by 2% compared to 2022 events (47% to 49%).
SWMS began a partnership with WaterStep in August 2023 to collect gently used shoes at the Pop-Up Drop-Off events, the Solid Waste office on Meriwether, and the three staffed recycling drop-off locations. Since August, over 600 lbs of shoes have been collected which has provided 200 people with safe water for life.
Mayor Greenberg announces first steps to bring Amtrak service back to Louisville
In an effort spearheaded by the Office of Planning, LMG and the Kentucky Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) received $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to explore the viability of a passenger rail line between Louisville and Indianapolis. Over the coming months, LMG and KIPDA will use the grant funding to begin the first step of the planning process and evaluate key elements for this potential rail line. Read the press release here.
 Community Crosswalks Pilot
The Offices of Planning and Arts & Creative Industries blended public art and public safety with the launch of four new colorful asphalt art projects in April 2023, bringing in local artists to add their personal touches to busy intersections in downtown Louisville. Following the pilot installation, Louisville Metro officially launched the Community Crosswalks program, offering local community organizations, neighborhoods, and small businesses the opportunity to install unique, colorful crosswalks to locally-maintained intersections in their neighborhoods. Read the press release here.
 Asphalt Art & Bloomberg Philanthropies
In November 2023, The Offices of Planning and Arts & Creative Industries were awarded a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to use an arts-driven street redesign to improve pedestrian safety in the Parkland neighborhood. This grant will bring new curb extensions, local asphalt art, and Louisville’s first-ever street mural to the 28th Street corridor near the recently renovated Parkland Plaza. Read the Bloomberg press release here.
Parklet/Streatery Program
Park·let /ˈpärklət/ : a small seating area or green space created as a public amenity on or alongside a sidewalk, especially in a former on-street parking space.
Streatery /strētərē/ : a portmanteau of “street” and “eatery”, a streatery converts on-street parking into outdoor dining establishments.
Our summer 2023 Parklet pilot on Shelby Street was a great success! The well-received Parklet pilot created a unique gathering space for Nulu patrons and helped drive foot traffic to several nearby businesses, prompting LMG to launch a new initiative that transforms on-street parking into public spaces for people to enjoy. Interested businesses and organizations can apply for a Parklet or Streatery by submitting a pre-application to LMG's Department of Public Works. The Parklet/Streatery program is expected to fully launch in early 2024.
 CycLOUvia:The Office of Planning held three CycLOUvia events in 2023, including a return to the Three Points region in September! Louisville’s Open Streets event continues to be one of the most popular LMG-sponsored programs in the city, promoting sustainable transportation, public health, and economic development. Follow CycLOUvia on Instagram to keep up with events!
A safer and smoother pedestrian crossing awaits you at Goss and Spratt! Thanks to the joint efforts of the Office of Planning and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, new curb extensions, crosswalks, signage, and scooter parking were installed in fall 2023 to improve sightlines for motorists and enhance pedestrian safety at this busy intersection in Germantown. The Office of Planning and Public Works is currently implementing a multi-modal safety project on Ellison Avenue that aims to slow down cars and add a protected bike and scooter facility connecting Goss Avenue to Tyler Park.
Cresent Hill Neighborhood Plans: The Office of Planning oversaw the adoption of two new neighborhood plans in 2023: the Berrytown Neighborhood Plan and the Clifton & Crescent Hill Area Plan. The plan for Berrytown established a vision for the future of the historically black neighborhood in eastern Jefferson County–the first of its kind for the community since the 1980s. The Clifton and Crescent Hill neighborhoods collaborated on a new plan to replace their outdated individual plans, which will serve as a guide for the future of two of Louisville’s most historic neighborhoods. Both plans include a significant emphasis on protecting and preserving green space and tree canopy.
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Don't forget your bags! They're not just for grocery shopping - bring them when shopping for holiday gifts too! And when you do have plastic shopping bags, reuse or recycle at participating stores. They don't belong in your home recycling bin. |
If you just can't get them to work, recycle them with your old electronics. Never put them with household recycling because they'll get tangled up and cause problems at the recycling sorting facility. Louisvilleky.gov/Electronics |
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As you start wrapping gifts this season, be creative: use newspaper, old maps, paper bags, or even fabric and dish towels. Or give your gift in a reusable shopping bag. There are lots of ways to reduce waste! |
- Walkability is a hallmark of the most vibrant U.S. cities. Here's how Louisville ranks (via Courier Journal)
- Old Louisville street conversion plan gets boost with federal grant (via WDRB)
- '100% preventable': Louisville has a path to end childhood lead exposure (via Courier Journal)
- Indiana manufacturers want to continue using toxic PFAS, aim to pass legislation (via Louisville Public Media)
- Amtrak could be making a return to Louisville. Here's what we know
(via Courier Journal)
- 3 companies to pay $100M after lawsuit over 'forever chemicals' dumped into Ohio River (via Courier Journal)
- Louisville Metro offers year-end update on sustainability efforts (via Louisville Public Media)
- 3 companies to pay $100M after lawsuit over 'forever chemicals' dumped into Ohio River (via Courier Journal)
- New life for old coal: Minelands and power plants are hot renewable development spots (via Kentucky Lantern)
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