 Despite the cool and rainy weather we've had, the summer season is well on its way! The District 3 team is so excited for the warm weather and sunshine summer brings, and for all the fun programming for families across the city.
Whether you have young kids, young grandkids, nieces, nephews, or its just you, there are so many fun and useful opportunities across the city, and we've shared a few below. If you have any other events or programming you want us to share, please send it over to the District 3 office!
Please also remember to continue reporting any code or zoning issues to 3-1-1, and let our office know if you need follow-up on an existing case.
More on the annual budget:
Metro Council is in the middle of budget hearings for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This week, members hear from the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods (which is now, for some reason, called the "Office of Violence Prevention"...), Louisville Fire, and Emergency Services.
What budget questions or comments do you have? Please let us know using this link: https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/mapvnx91r2t4ri/
Regional Budget Meeting
Councilwoman Parrish-Wright attended a regional budget meeting with the mayor's administration and a couple of other council members to discuss the budget. This meeting is not an opportunity for members to advocate for things to be funded or changes to the budget, but a formality so members can ask the mayor questions about the budget, which may or may not be met with satisfactory answers. Earlier in the year (shared in previous newsletters), the Councilwoman sent a list of budget requests to the mayor's office. Unfortunately, the administration did not choose to fund most of the projects Councilwoman Parrish-Wright requested. As it relates to District 3, these are what the administration included in the budget:
$3 million to Economic Development to allow Metco grants and loans to attract commercial and retail uses to "south end commercial corridors" (It is unclear how much of this will bring direct benefits to those living specifically in District 3 and Shively. There is no definition to "South End".)
$1.75 million to sidewalk improvements on Gagel Avenue
$1.3 million to a shared use path located at Beech Street & Cypress Street
$2.4 million to a one mile shared use path on both sides of Algonquin Parkway between Cypress Street and 16th Street
These investments are certainly necessary and welcomed. Compare to the asks provided by Councilwoman Parrish-Wright:
$25K support for 7th Street Road Community Garden
$50K for Shively Splash Park
$400K to finish the GG Moore Redevelopment
$100K for Watterson Lake Park fence/gate and lake replenishment for fishing
$75K Harrison Park cleaning of splash ground and renovations.
$40K New gate installation for Schardein Cemetery
$25K new fence on Manslick Road (bid from Mike Nolan in Public Works)
Already in progress:
Fence on Manslick
Grass Cutting for Schardein with Trees Louisville
Capital Investment Goals:
$100K for speed humps and sidewalk repair
$50K Flock Cameras
Alley Clean Ups
$50K Security Cameras
More Lighting near parks and places where people gather.
All of these projects could have easily been funded with an amount that is half of that proposed to be allotted to Economic Development, where borders of "south end" are not defined. The Councilwoman asked for real, tangible improvements that will directly benefit every resident in the third district. While the sidewalk improvements and additions are welcome and necessary, all the projects Councilwoman Parrish-Wright listed could have been funded by half of the $3 million dollars that will be allocated to Economic Development. Economic development is incredibly important to the South & Western parts of Jefferson County, but it is unlikely to come with immediate, physical, visible improvements to the neighborhoods in District 3. Additionally, it will be challenging to develop the economy without the proper infrastructure present in the area, which the Councilwoman asked for. In the last newsletter, we reported the conversation between the mayor and the Councilwoman. His response was that instead of funding necessary projects through a streamlined process, he wanted each district to have an increased budget for projects in their districts. In so doing, it has slowed down the process for funding these projects.
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