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IT’S B.O.B. WEEK!!!!!!
Even if you don’t live in Lucky Horseshoe, you should still take note of what my office is doing through our Building Our Blocks (B.O.B.) initiative. Over the last 3 months, we’ve worked with residents to identify services that we can provide at their house, and worked with neighbors to reimagine their neighborhood.
The entirety of the Lucky Horseshoe neighborhood has been canvassed THREE TIMES to distribute:
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Information about our community meetings in January
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Door hangers with our “menu” of services we are offering on April 6th
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Goodie bags filled with everything from information on suicide prevention and cancer screenings to stress balls to coloring pages from Speed Art Museum to signups for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Let me break it down for you this way: Alena and volunteers have went door-to-door to every house in the neighborhood, knocking on over 1,300 doors in the process.
We haven’t even gotten to the official event day and we have already installed speed humps on Bohannon, placed our Gallopalooza horse on Taylor Blvd, and replaced residents broken or missing trash/recycling carts.
The goal is to replicate B.O.B. in every neighborhood in my district. We started with Lucky Horseshoe because it is the smallest neighborhood (great for our pilot program!) and it’s an area with great need. I’d say that it has nothing to do with Derby 150, but I guess I would sort of be lying.
I’ve always said that when the eyes of the world are upon Louisville for that first Saturday in May (and the days leading up to it), with hundreds of thousands of people flocking to Churchill Downs, visitors should be able to see communities that are thriving. They should see happy, healthy neighbors in safe neighborhoods. They should see that Louisville cares about all of its residents. But, most of all, the folks in Lucky Horseshoe should feel like they have a stake in their place. That they can take pride in where they live and not feel like they are being pushed out. That they don’t have to feel like someone is trying to gobble up their home and tear it down.
So, please join us on Saturday, April 6th to see the whole B.O.B. machine in action (see below for more details). I really can’t wait to see it all come together and I’m really excited to see how this spurs even more beautiful things in this community.
Here are some other things that’s been happening over the last month:
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MSD organized a Watterson Lake Park clean-up and Brightside organized another in the northern part of the District
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Easter egg hunts were held in Cloverleaf, Taylor Berry, Schnitzelburg, and Wilder Park
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TreesLouisville had a tree giveaway that accompanied a tree planting along Longfield Avenue in which 30+ trees were planted along the backside
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I visited the MUSCL Jim King Senior center and got feedback on how the seniors feel like their center could better serve them
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We collected the results from the Emerson Park survey and I met with a park/playground specialist to start planning updates
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I visited the Humane Society with Director Alisa Gray and met the fantastic surgical team at the SNIP Cilnic—they even let me name two dogs after my parents, Carol and Barlow!
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I went to DC for the National League of Cities Conference where I learned a lot about ways to advance Louisville leveraging national resources—I also fit in a visit with Congressman McGarvey
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We celebrated the opening of Hop Atomica and Early Bird Bagels—delicious additions to Schnitzelburg
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I attended events such as SLCM’s Families Helping Families Dinner, We the People Dinner, and the Louisville Metro Youth Cabinet Gala
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I chatted with the Southwest Rotary Club
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We honored 10 remarkable women as part of the Louisville Metro Women’s Caucus
Obviously, it’s been a BUSY month.
I had initially intended for this newsletter to go out bi-weekly, however, it seems that it’s only been going out monthly. That’s my fault. I’m probably the only councilperson who puts together their own newsletter. Part of that is because I’m high-strung and still learning how to delegate, but the larger part of it is because I take great pride in curating an informative and tailored newsletter for my readers. Connecting is so important, and I feel like taking an intimate approach with my communications is vital for me to connect with you…and for you to get to know me. Plus, it helps me stay in-the-know with everything going on. I doubt I’ll be able to prioritize a bi-monthly newsletter, so this is a long way of telling you that you should look for this newsletter monthly going forward. Don’t forget to follow me on social media for more up-to-date information.
Oh, one last thing—please take the 2024 Louisville Metro Parks survey. It's a quickie!
B.O.B. is a one-day event that improves a neighborhood through a series of volunteer projects and events. The goal is to bring city services directly into neighborhoods to help solve issues and address community needs.
Extensive canvassing has occurred over the last few months and Lucky Horseshoe residents have signed up in advance for services that will be provided on April 6th, including home repairs through New Directions Housing Corporation, security checks through Louisville Metro Police Department, smoke detector installation through Louisville Division of Fire, and trees from Louisville Grows. The event will include fun stuff for the whole community to enjoy (not just Lucky Horseshoe residents) such as a Louisville Metro Animal Services vaccine clinic, resource fair, kid zone, and more.
Here's a preview of the great offerings that will be available to the public on April 6.
 Resource Fair from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Wellman Wesleyan Church, located at 3220 Bohannon Avenue
Kid Zone area from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Cole Chiropractic parking lot, located at 3317 Taylor Boulevard
LMAS Vaccine Clinic from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Churchill Downs, located at 700 Central Ave
FREE UofL Health Mobile Clinic
FREE Mindfulness Workshop with yoga at 10:00 a.m., located at 3317 Taylor Boulevard
FREE safe and secure collection of expired and unused medicine by the sheriff’s office
FREE gun locks provided by the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods (OSHN)
BrightSide neighborhood cleanup
And a whole lot more!!
We need volunteers to help us pull this off, so please consider signing up to volunteer today! We have a spot for YOU!
Questions? Email Alena at alena.balakos2@louisvilleky.gov
On top of super cheap vaccines, you’ll have the ability to license your pet and we’ll be giving away free pet supplies to those who need it. First come, first serve. THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO EVERYONE.
Owning a pet can be cost-prohibitive, but we don’t want that to stop you from experiencing the joys of having a furry best friend (or a few!). I’m so grateful for the unconditional love and companionship my critters bring me every day.  
We’re also asking that all who are able to bring a donation to help our neighbors. We’re specifically looking for dog and cat food, litter, and blankets/towels. That last one is a great opportunity to clean out your closets! 
Louisville Grows will be planting 33 trees in the Lucky Horseshoe neighborhood on April 6th. We have all the volunteers we need for tree planting, but consider signing up to volunteer for something else that day.
Louisville Metro Public Art has contracted to have pieces within Louisville Metro's public art collection undergo professional conservation treatment and repair, including the Wheelman's Bench at Wayside Park (3190 S. 3rd Street). Questions? Email arts@louisvilleky.gov
Join Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Louisville Parks and Recreation at Iroquois Park for an eclipse watch party! Enter at the gate at Rundill and Uppill Roads, or hike the trails to the top. The gate will be open 1 to 4 pm. Food will be available for purchase and the first 300 attendees will receive free eclipse glasses.
District 15 will have 4,142 homes reassessed in 2024, most of which are in Germantown and Schnitzelburg. This year, the PVA is accounting for houses that have been completely renovated and sold by adding a “renovated house type” and making sure those houses are not being used to determine value for older, non-renovated, housing stock.
You can find sold properties used to determine your homes value for the assessment on the PVA’s website by searching your address and navigating to “comparable properties” during the appeal window of April 26 through May 20. Outside that timeframe, the website requires a subscription but full access to property details including the neighborhood sales list is also always available at the PVA office and all branches of the Louisville Free Public Library without a subscription.
There are several community meetings being held about reassessments, as well as an appeal period.
More information: https://jeffersonpva.ky.gov/property-assessment/
The Saint Joseph Area Association's spring neighborhood cleanup is on Saturday, April 13th at 10am! Meet on the patio at Zanzabar (2100 S. Preston Street) to gather supplies, and enjoy pizza from our neighbors at Craft House Pizza afterwards. This will be a joint cleanup between the St. Joseph and Meriwether neighborhoods.
The Iroquois scenic overlook is open to cars this weekend: April 13 and 14.
The road to Iroquois Park's North Overlook will be open one weekend a month to vehicular traffic. 🚗🌳
Louisville Parks and Recreation will open the gate to Uppill Road on the second Saturday and Sunday of every month through November 2024 (weather permitting). Gates will be open from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Here's the full 2024 schedule:
🔹 April 13 and 14
🔹 May 11 and 12
🔹 June 8 and 9
🔹 July 13 and 14
🔹 August 10 and 11
🔹 September 14 and 15
🔹 October 12 and 13
🔹 November 9 and 10
More info: https://www.olmstedparks.org/events/iroquois-park-uppill-road-to-north-overlook-opening/
Derby may be Churchill Downs event, but Derby is our day! As the eyes of the world fall upon Louisville during Derby week, we want to make sure that the neighbors around the track have the information, tools, and resources to have a safe and productive Derby.
Join us on Tuesday, April 16th at 6:30 PM at Sojourn Carlisle on Taylor Boulevard to discuss Derby 150.
Louisville Metro representatives from Metro Council, the Mayor’s office, Codes & Regulations, and LMPD will be on hand to answer questions, as well as representatives from Churchill Downs. We will be focused on what we can do this year, although we will use this conversation to help guide how we can do better in the coming years.
Answer questions, such as: What are the legal exemptions? Can I drive my golf car in the street? Where can people park? Can I sell hot dogs in my yard?
Food and refreshments will be provided.
We’ll be giving away tickets to #502sday at Churchill Downs to attendees. These tickets are on a first come, first serve basis and will be prioritized for those who live near Churchill Downs. Thanks to Churchill Downs for providing those tickets.
NOTE: This meeting will replace the annual "parking meeting" that is typically held at Churchill Downs.
Next Tuesday, April 16th, join Louisville Parks & Rec for an evening litter walk in Wyandotte Park from 5-7 pm. You don't have to bring anything (except for maybe a friend!) and you'll be provided with trash bags, pick-sticks, gloves, and safety vests. No sign-up or registration required!
As much as I love a trash clean-up, I won't be able to attend since I will be at the Derby Our Way townhall that is happening at the same time (see above for more info on that event).
The Greater Germantown Business Association (GGBA) is excited to announce that the inaugural Eat Drink Germantown culinary showcase will be held on April 18th at Germantown Gables (986 Swan Street) from 6 to 10pm. The evening will celebrate the best of Germantown's culinary scene while supporting the local business community.
Eat Drink Germantown will feature a diverse array of food samples from multiple Germantown-area vendors, including Canary Club, Awry Brewing, Merryweather, Monnik Beer Co., Bean Coffee, Perso, and more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to indulge in a selection of Germantown-made beers and cocktails.
The event will also feature "The Germantown" cocktail competition presented by Campari. Beginning April 8th, participating vendors will create unique cocktails that customers can vote on as best representing the Germantown neighborhood. The winning cocktail will be announced at Eat Drink Germantown on April 18th and served to attendees.
Admission for Eat Drink Germantown is $45 and includes samples from each food, beer, or cocktail vendor. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Greater Germantown Business Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting local businesses within the community.
For more information about Eat Drink Germantown or to purchase tickets, please visit www.greatergermantown.com/eat-drink-germantown or contact Michael Moeller at michael@louisvillealetrail.com.
Kentucky Shakespeare is bringing their performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream to Iroquois Park this Sunday, April 21st at 6:30 pm. Get ready to be whisked away into a whimsical world where love, mischief, and magic collide in Shakespeare's timeless comedy, "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Follow four young lovers as they navigate the enchanted forest, encountering mischievous fairies, bumbling actors, and the unpredictable whims of the fairy king and queen. Will true love prevail, or will chaos reign supreme?
My office worked with Iroquois Amphitheater to have the production IN the amphitheater, so you can leave your chairs at home! 
Join the Schnitzelburg Area Community Council (SACC) for a neighborhood clean-up on Sunday, April 21 at 9 am. Volunteers can meet in Emerson Park to get supplies, such as gloves, bags, and grabbers.
Join the Friends of Iroquois Park on Monday, April 22 (Earth Day!) at the Iroquois Library (601 W. Woodlawn Ave) at 6:30 pm to discuss ways to make the park better for all.
STREET CLOSURES
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Saturday, May 4, 2024 – closed
• 4th Street from Heywood Avenue to Oakdale Avenue
• Oakdale Avenue from 4th Street to alley at Churchill Downs Backside Gate
7 am - 11 pm (Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Saturday, May 4, 2024)
• Central Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Floyd Street
• 3rd Street from Central Avenue to Central Station
• 9th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
• North Alley of Central Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
• Burton Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
• Lillian Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
• Rodman Street from Central Avenue to Lillian Avenue
• 6th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
• 5th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
• 4th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
• 3rd Street from Central Avenue to Brook Street
• Oakdale Avenue from 3rd Street/Southern Parkway to alley at CD Backside Gate
• West Alley (south of Brown Lot) from 3rd Street/Southern Parkway to 4th Street
• 4th Street from West Alley to Longfield Avenue
• Longfield Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to 4th Street
• Queen Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Warren Avenue
• Thornberry Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Warren Avenue
• Homeview Drive from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
• Racine Drive from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
• Wizard Avenue from Longfield Avenue to Queen Avenue
• Warren Avenue from Thornberry Avenue to Homeview Drive
Interstate Ramp Closures
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Thursday, May 2, 2024)
• I-264 West exit ramp at 3rd Street/Southern Parkway
• I-264 East exit ramp at Southern Parkway
• I-264 West exit ramp at Taylor Boulevard
• I-264 East exit ramp at Taylor Boulevard
9 am – 8:30 pm (Thursday, May 2, 2024)
• I-65 South exit ramp at Crittenden Drive
5:30 pm – 9:30 pm (Friday, May 3, 2024)
• I-264 West exit ramp at 3rd Street/Southern Parkway
• I-264 East exit ramp at Southern Parkway
• I-264 West exit ramp at Taylor Boulevard
• I-264 East exit ramp at Taylor Boulevard
8 am – 9:30 pm (Friday, May 3, 2024)
• I-65 South exit ramp at Crittenden Drive
5:30 pm – 10:30 pm (Saturday, May 4, 2024)
• I-264 West exit ramp at 3rd Street/Southern Parkway
• I-264 East exit ramp at Southern Parkway
• I-264 West exit ramp at Taylor Boulevard
• I-264 East exit ramp at Taylor Boulevard
8 am – 10:30 pm (Saturday, May 4, 2024)
• I-65 South exit ramp at Crittenden Drive
NO PARKING AREAS
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Saturday, May 4, 2024
• 4th Street from Heywood Avenue to Oakdale Avenue
• Oakdale Avenue from 4th Street to alley at Churchill Downs Backside Gate
• 3rd Street from Brook Street to Cardinal Boulevard
• 3rd Street from Central Station to Southern Heights Avenue
• 5th Street from Longfield Avenue to Lansing Avenue
• Bohannon Avenue from Racine Drive to Queen Avenue
• Homeview Drive from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
• Southern Parkway from 3rd Street to Southern Heights Avenue
• Taylor Boulevard from Ashland Avenue to Algonquin Parkway
• Winkler Avenue from Algonquin Parkway to 3rd Street
• Winn Avenue from 4th Street to Southern Parkway
• Dearcy Avenue from Longfield Avenue to Queen Avenue
• Kenton Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
• Evelyn Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
• Fairmont Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
• Whitney Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
• Lansing Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
• Arcade Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to 7th Street
7 am - 11 pm (Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Saturday, May 4, 2024)
• Central Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Floyd Street
• 3rd Street from Central Avenue to Central Station
• 9th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
• North Alley of Central Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
• Burton Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
• Lillian Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
• Rodman Street from Central Avenue to Lillian Avenue
• 6th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
• 5th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
• 4th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
• 3rd Street from Central Avenue to Brook Street
• Oakdale Avenue from 3rd Street/Southern Parkway to alley at Churchill Downs Backside Gate
• West Alley (south of Brown Lot) from 3rd Street/Southern Parkway to 4th Street
• 4th Street from West Alley to Longfield Avenue
• Longfield Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to 4th Street
• Queen Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Warren Avenue
• Thornberry Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Warren Avenue
• Homeview Drive from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
• Racine Drive from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
• Wizard Avenue from Longfield Avenue to Queen Avenue
• Warren Avenue from Thornberry Avenue to Homeview Drive
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A new South End Community Market is coming to Iroquois Park this summer/fall!
Mark your calendars for the Germantown Baseball Opening Day Parade on Saturday, April 13th at 10 am.
This year, the parade will start at Audubon Elementary School and will traverse through Parkway Village and George Rogers Clark Park neighborhoods before ending at the ballpark next to St. X High School. Hoping for a beautiful day with plenty of sunshine to kick off the spring season!
I'll be riding in the parade and I'd love to toss ya some candy!
The Louisville Audubon Society reminds you that peak spring bird migration occurs March through May. Please consider participating in LIGHTS OUT LOUISVILLE to make your home, neighborhood, and our city more bird-friendly.
Did you know that most birds migrate at night? Over 3.7 million birds flew over Jefferson County on Derby Night last year alone!
Between 11 pm and 6 am you can:
- Turn off unnecessary lights indoorsUse shades, blinds and curtains to prevent the glare from indoor lights shining through windows
- Turn off unnecessary lights outdoors
- Put necessary lighting on timers or use motion sensors
- Make sure external lighting is down-shielded so light shines where people need it, not upward into the night sky
For more information, visit www.louisvilleaudubon.org.
Questions? Email louisvilleaudubon@gmail.com.
TreesLouisville has officially kickoff the Louisville Tree Plan (Urban Forest Master Plan) in partnership with Louisville Metro. This initiative will be a year long process of engaging with the public to learn how we can create a robust tree canopy that serves all communities. Upon completion we will have a comprehensive plan in place for maintaining and improving our canopy across Jefferson County.
What can you do?
- Take the quick online survey
- Invite TreesLouisville to speak at your next club/neighborhood meeting
- Attend one of the seven public workshops across Louisville
- Sign up for the TreesLouisville newsletter
The Department of Codes & Regulations has initiated their new Rental Registry program and your action is required. Property owners must register all their rental units with the city and pay a fee ranging from $25 to $250; failure to register is subject to a fine up to $100 per day per housing unit.
The registry will provide accurate and up-to-date contact information for property owners and management companies to help the city better identify and contact the responsible parties should Code Enforcement Officers find code violations at a rental property. Louisville Metro Government will randomly select properties from the list each year to undergo inspections to ensure the units meet the city code of ordinances.
Registration is available online at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/codes-regulations/. Property owners/managers may also apply in person with the Department of Codes & Regulations at 444 S. 5th St., Suite 200, Louisville, KY 40202.
The Office of Planning’s Library Hours return in 2024! City Planners from Louisville Metro’s Office of Planning will be available to answer questions about zoning (What is zoning? Why does it matter?) and discuss the ongoing LDC Reform project, including Middle Housing. We want to hear about your neighborhood and discuss what the reform means for you!
These conversations are part of the ongoing Land Development Code (LDC) Reform. The LDC Reform is an equity focused approach to revise the LDC consistently with Plan 2040 to allow for increased housing choices and opportunities in new and existing neighborhoods, to create procedures and regulations that are easier to use and increase the quality of life by reducing the concentration of environmental hazards near housing.
- Tuesday, April 16, Northeast Regional
- Tuesday, May 7, Western
- Tuesday, May 21, Fairdale
- Tuesday, June 4, Main Library
- Tuesday, June 18, Shawnee
- Tuesday, July 30, Iroquois
- Tuesday, August 13, South Central Regional
- Tuesday, August 27, Bon Air
- Tuesday, September 10, Newburg
- Tuesday, September 24, Shively
All sessions are from 3 pm to 7 pm.
If you have questions or want to learn more, contact ldcreform@louisvilleky.gov or (502) 574-5860/(502) 574-8272
 Volunteering offers numerous benefits, both for individuals and the community at large. Beyond the selfless act of giving time and skills to help others, volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Engaging in volunteer work can enhance one's social and interpersonal skills, fostering connections with diverse groups of people.
Louisville Metro has launched a new page on the website that helps connect community members with volunteer positions. Find a volunteer opportunity.
 The Jefferson County Law Library (Old Jail building, 514 W. Liberty St.) now offers walk in civil legal assistance on Tuesdays from 10 am to 2 pm.
Thanks to a partnership with Mental Health Lou, the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) will offer free workshops for adults focused on mental health and wellness starting in March. The Mind-Body Wellness Series is a 4-part series that focuses on the ways in which our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs can positively or negatively impact our bodies, and vice versa. Taught by licensed experts from Mental Health Lou’s partner groups and providers, the series will be offered at six library locations: Southwest, Northeast, Newburg, Main, Western, and Bon Air.
Each workshop in the series addresses a different topic:
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Discovering the Mind-Body Connection: Learn ways to identify and connect feelings, thoughts and somatic responses and develop tools to help manage stress, anxiety, depression and more.
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Movement & Mental Health: Explore the impact of movement on your mental health by using yogic practices and breathing techniques as a means of self-care – deepening your connection with your body.
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Practical Mindfulness for Stress Management: Learn basic tools to help identify stressors and implement Mindfulness techniques to manage/decrease stress response. This will be an experiential workshop that focuses on skill building of stress management tools.
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Taking Charge of Your Wellbeing: Begin developing a realistic and easily executable self-care plan with the help of a mental health therapist.
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