Ben's Pen: A Note from CM Reno-Weber

This month, we’ve seen the kind of community leadership that makes me proud to call District 8 home. After a wave of disruptive behaviors that put both safety and small businesses at risk, the response from city leaders wasn’t just swift—it was thoughtful, collaborative, and rooted in care for our community.

Thanks to a coordinated effort between LMPD and Mayor Greenberg’s office, we saw a noticeable shift. With a stronger, smarter public safety presence, businesses were able to open their doors without worry. Neighbors felt more confident strolling Bardstown Road. The tension gave way to the kind of energy we want in the Highlands—vibrant, welcoming, and safe.

This is what community-centered public safety looks like. It’s not just about cracking down—it’s about showing up, listening, and acting with intention. It’s about balancing enforcement with empathy and making sure every stakeholder—from late-night workers to early morning dog walkers—feels like they belong here.

Speaking of energy, the Mid-City Mall listening sessions have been packing the rooms at the Highlands-Shelby Park library with passionate people giving input about what we want to see in the next phase of this historic space's life.  We heard loud and clear about the importance of a grocery store (yeah Value-Market!!), mixed use development, Beechwood Park, how treasured the Baxter Avenue Theater is, and several other issues.  We also heard about the importance of the site because of its accessibility, transit connections, and walkability for so many, in and outside of our neighborhood.  Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the conversation to this point - more opportunities to engage will come when we know more about the potential sale. 

We all want the same thing: a neighborhood that’s alive with music and laughter, where families feel safe, small businesses can grow, and everyone has a stake in what comes next.

Lots of content below,

Ben

P.S – You know the drill. Keep reading to the end of this newsletter for the punchline to this month's dad joke.

Why is the Councilman so focused on sidewalks?

What’s Bubbling Up? Events & Opportunities to Engage

Community Sound Study: New Date

🎶 Bardstown Beats: A Community Sound Study 🎶

Let’s Find the Right Volume Together

Join us for an innovative, hands-on community meeting where your voice—and your ears—matter. As we consider updates to Louisville’s noise ordinance, we’re inviting neighbors, musicians, business owners, and anyone who cares about the balance of life and liveliness on Bardstown Road to participate in a real-time sound experience.

Before we revise our existing Noise Ordinance, we want to be sure we get smart. We’ll be using live demonstrations to explore how sound travels through our shared spaces—both indoors and out—so we can better understand what “too loud,” “just right,” and “not loud enough” really mean for our diverse community.

Location: Big Bar, 1202 Bardstown Rd.

Time: August 11th at 6:00pm

What to Expect:

• Interactive sound tests
• Space for community dialogue
• Live input that will shape policy

Musicians—this is your moment!

Bring your instruments and get ready to get loud (responsibly). We want to hear the full range of sounds that make Bardstown Road come alive—from acoustic to amplified. Your sound is central to this conversation.

Why This Matters:

The heart of District 8 is alive with music, conversation, and connection—but we also all deserve the right to quiet enjoyment in our homes. This event is part of our commitment to thoughtful, inclusive governance that listens before it legislates.

Let’s tune in together.

Aglow in July

Join us for Aglow in July on Saturday, July 26 — a summer sneak peek of Bardstown Road Aglow’s 40th Anniversary! 🌟

Hop on the free Trolley de Ville from 10AM–3PM, with stops along Douglass Loop, Bardstown Road, and Baxter Avenue. This event, hosted by the Highlands Commerce Guild, celebrates the heart of our community and the small businesses that make it special.

Save the date, spread the word, and let’s light up the summer together!

ROARchestra at the Zoo

🎶🦁 The wildest concert in town is BACK — and bigger than ever! ROARchestra returns to the Louisville Zoo this summer with two unforgettable nights of music under the stars 🌌🎻 Join the Louisville Orchestra on Saturday, July 5 and Saturday, July 19 for symphonic adventures featuring everything from Star Wars and Jurassic Park to Copland’s Rodeo and live country harmonies from Suede Saddle. Perfect for families, music lovers, and anyone who wants to experience the magic of live music in a one-of-a-kind setting. Gates open at 7PM — explore the Zoo, grab a snack, and settle in on the Oasis Field. 🎟️ Tickets on sale now: louisvillezoo.org/roar

CTA Summer Concert Series

The 2025 Cherokee Triangle Summer Concert Series kicks off June 1 and runs every Sunday through July — plus a special season finale on Sunday, August 31!

🕖 7–9 PM

📍 Gazebo in Willow Park

🎸 Featuring local favorites from blues and classic rock to Caribbean-Appalachian fusion!

This is one of our neighborhood’s best traditions — free, family-friendly, and filled with great music. Bring your blanket or lawn chair… and if you can, bring a canned good or hygiene item to support Highlands Community Ministries & Dare to Care.

World Affairs Council Youth Leadership Program

Help build bridges across cultures by hosting a Pan-African Youth Leadership Program participant! These talented teens (ages 14–19) are visiting Louisville to grow as changemakers and global citizens—and you can be part of their journey. All it takes is 10 days to open your home, share your traditions, and welcome a young person into your family. Call to Action: 🌟 Sign Up Now to Host – Limited spots available!

D8 Works

Let’s be real — sidewalks across District 8 are in rough shape. Years of deferred maintenance and limited budgets have left too many stretches cracked, crumbling, or downright unsafe. It’s one of the top things we hear about from neighbors, and it’s one of the top things we’re working on.

That’s why it feels great to share small wins like this one from a Longest Avenue neighbor:

“Please pass my thanks to all who have made sidewalk repair possible!! I am thankful for the new and smooth sidewalk section on Longest!!!”

Thanks for the kind words — and for your patience.

We know we’ve got a long way to go. Our office is pushing hard to get more sidewalk funds into the District, to improve how repairs are prioritized, and to make our streets safer and more walkable for everyone. If you see a section in need of repair, let us know — and we’ll keep chipping away at it.

Trespass Waiver Reminder

📢 Highlands Business Owners: Help us keep Bardstown Road safe and vibrant for everyone. If you haven’t yet, please take a moment to sign a Trespass Waiver — it allows LMPD to take proactive action on your property to help deter crime and maintain public safety during late-night hours. In partnership with LMPD and the Highland Commerce Guild, we’re working on short-term strategies to address large, disruptive gatherings that have led to violence in our community. Signing this waiver is one small but important step. 🔗 Sign the waiver here: https://louisville-police.org/942/Authorization-for-Enforcement-of-Trespas 📞 Report suspicious activity: 502-574-LMPD (non-emergency) or 911 (emergency) Let’s work together to keep the Highlands safe, welcoming, and thriving.

Ben in the Wild: CM Reno-Weber Out & About

Algonquin Pool Opening

Excited to be at the reopening of the Algonquin Pool with my colleague Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins! This state-of-the-art space is a testament to what’s possible when we invest in neighborhoods and prioritize family-friendly, affordable options for joy and wellness. Grateful to be part of a Metro Council that’s working to make every corner of our city feel seen, supported, and celebrated. Here’s to more safe, vibrant public spaces for all.

Mid-City Mall Listening Sessions

If you spotted me at Mid City Mall recently, no — I wasn’t just picking up ramen and dropping off library books. I was there as part of the series of listening sessions we hosted to hear directly from neighbors about what you want to see in the future of this iconic space. Mid City Mall is more than just a shopping center — it’s a shared piece of Highland history and one of the few places in our city where folks from all walks of life regularly cross paths. And as conversations about redevelopment take shape, we want to make sure those paths lead somewhere inclusive, vibrant, and community-driven. We heard everything from “keep it weird” to “make it walkable” — plus plenty of great ideas about housing, small business support, and green space. These listening sessions are about making sure any future plans reflect the people who live, work, and build community here.

Bardstown Rd. Bar Owner Meeting

I had the chance to sit down with a group of Bardstown Road business owners to tackle something that’s top of mind for all of us as summer heats up: public safety. As many of you know, we've seen an uptick in crime and large, late-night gatherings that create real challenges for both residents and the small businesses that make our community special. So we brought folks together — restaurant owners, retailers, bar managers, and service providers — to share what they’re seeing, what’s working, and what support they need. We talked through practical safety measures, including the role of trespass waivers, adjusting late-night hours, coordinating with LMPD, and strengthening the communication loop between businesses and the city. Most importantly, we strategized as partners — because keeping Bardstown Road safe and vibrant isn’t about one department or one rule, it’s about working together as a community. Huge thanks to everyone who showed up, spoke candidly, and stayed solution-focused. These kinds of conversations are what make local government work — and we’ll keep showing up to have them.

Meeting with the Office for Violence Prevention

Stopped by the Goodwill campus to meet with the incredible team from the Office for Violence Prevention. I’m so impressed by the tireless work they do every day to make our community safer—by meeting people where they are and building real paths forward. Community safety doesn’t just happen—it’s built through trust, connection, and support. Grateful for their leadership and partnership in that work.

Dad Joke of the Month

Councilmember Ben Reno-Weber  |   Louisville Metro Council   |   District 8

601 West Jefferson Street, Third Floor

Louisville, Kentucky 40202

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