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"The seed must grow regardless of the fact that it's planted in stone."
— Tupac Shakur
Councilman Jecorey Arthur
Louisville Metro Council District 4
601 West Jefferson Street｜Louisville, KY 40202
P: (502)574-1104
Tell the Government to Protect Tenants
As a result of tenant organizing, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates Fannie and Freddie, is now deciding whether to condition government-backed loans on a set of tenant protections. These protections could include regulations on rent hikes and evictions, housing safety requirements, bans on discrimination, and more. If enacted, they could benefit over 12.4 million rental homes across the country. For more info, visit tenantcomment.org
Louisville Metro Comprehensive Review Commission
During the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly Session, House Bill 314 was passed, changing how Louisville Metro Government works. This bill also created a commission to study the "accomplishments and insufficiencies" of our local government. Councilman Jecorey Arthur was appointed to the commission along with other local and state officials. The commission will be meeting every second Friday at 3:00 PM to make a report due to the state by September 15th 2023. All meetings are open to the public in City Hall. The Commission is currently hosting public meetings and asking for input:
- Monday, July 31, 2023, at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson Street (the public may enter the building through the Sixth Street entrance). Sign ups will begin at 5:30 p.m.
For more information go here.
District 4 Tele-Town Hall
Tuesday, August 15th 6:00-7:00 PM
Video-In: https://louisvilleky.webex.com/meet/D4
Phone-In: (415)655-0001
Access Code: 180-005-6522 #
Stream: facebook.com/loudistrict4
Note: You do not need to download WebEx to join by video on a computer. Once you press 'cancel' on the link's popup there is an option to join by browser at the bottom of the screen.
Legislation
- Historically Black Neighborhoods Ordinance — This ordinance will help prevent displacement by creating a displacement index to be used for new city-supported developments in select neighborhoods. To show support, sign the petition here. It was assigned to the Planning and Zoning Committee and will be on hold until further notice.
- Community Benefits Ordinance — This ordinance will require developers to execute community benefits agreements with neighborhoods prior to the approval of financial incentives such as tax increment financing (TIF) or industrial revenue bonds (IRB). The District 4 office is working with Louisville Forward, local unions, and several neighborhoods on this.
- Gun Buyback Ordinance — This ordinance will start a pilot program where Louisvillians can sell guns to be destroyed.
- Right to Shelter Ordinance — This will create more shelter space for people experiencing houselessness. To show support, sign the petition here.
- Short Term Rental Moratorium — This ordinance will pause new short term rental registrations and permits in Louisville. It passed the Planning and Zoning Committee but will be held at the next Council meeting.
- FY24 District 4 Sidewalk Repairs — There will be several sidewalks getting approved for repair funding in the next couple months. The District 4 office is waiting on an updated sidewalk list to share.
- Short-Term Rental Ordinance — This ordinance will update rules about short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, etc). To review the suggested changes here.
- JCPS Start Smart Start Times Resolution — This resolution requests employers to accommodate employees with children enrolled in JCPS because of their new start times.
- Opioid Funding Ordinance — This resolution approves funding for several local organizations to address the opioid crisis.
- Philanthropy and Children's Funding Project Resolution — This resolution approves funding for early childhood training.
Some of the legislation above is drafted but may not have been filed. We welcome input from constituents, experts, and stakeholders. To learn more about what's coming up on Metro Council please go here.
Two-Way Streets Update
Public Works has sent an update to the Metro Council District 4 Office about two-way street conversions. A map can be viewed here but more details are below:
- Jefferson Street (Brook to Baxter) – Advertising to bid this summer. If bid responses are good, conversion will begin this Fall.
- 7th & 8th Streets – Will advertise in 2024.
- Chestnut; Muhammad Ali; Liberty (Jackson St. to Chestnut Connector); Shelby; and Campbell – Will advertise in 2025.
- Logan & Shelby (Goss to Gray St.) – Slated for conversion in 2023.
- Main Street (Baxter to Brook St.) – Slated for conversion in 2024 with one lane EB, two lanes WB and a protected WB cycle/scooter facility. Public meetings to be held this summer or Fall.
- 2nd St. & 3rd St. (Broadway to U of L) – Portion of 3rd Street to be considered for conversion this year. Applying for BIL grant funding for the entire extent of the roadways.
- Muhammad Ali & Chestnut/River Park (9th Street to Shawnee Park) – Plans are complete. Will advertise early 2025.
- Northwestern Parkway & Bank Street (33rd Street to Shawnee Golf Course) – Initiated public engagement. Needs more effort to advance.
- 22nd St. & Hodges (Dumesnil to Garfield Ave.) – Initiating a study with public engagement in the coming months.
- Mellwood & Story – Planning study will kick off this year or 2024.
NuLu Business Improvement District (BID)
The NuLu Business Association (NBA) is promoting the implementation of a Business Improvement District (BID). A Business Improvement District (BID), or in Kentucky, a Management District, is a designated area within-which property owners vote to assess themselves, based upon property value as determined by the PVA, to provide supplemental services above those provided by local government. There will be a community meeting about this on Tuesday, September 12th at 5:30 PM at the AC Hotel, 727 E Market St. Councilman Jecorey Arthur will be in attendance to learn more. To read more about this and view a map of the proposed district go here.
Mayor Greenberg Celebrates, Thanks Crews for Infrastructural Achievements
Mayor Craig Greenberg joined Jennifer Caummisar-Kern, director of Louisville Metro Public Works and Assets, and District 4 Councilman Jecorey Arthur on 4th Street to thank Public Works crews for the work completed thus far during the current paving season, other infrastructural work and highlight the proposed $37.7 million FY24 budget investment for paving, sidewalk repair, bridge and structure repair, streetlights and furthering Vison Zero goals. To learn more, click here.
Air Quality Alert Issued for Thursday, July 27
An Air Quality Alert has been issued in Louisville for Thursday, July 27. Ozone pollution is forecast to be at levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups due to elevated temperatures and residual smoke from wildfires.
Sensitive groups include children, older adults, those with asthma, COPD, and other breathing ailments, and any other residents that are active outdoors. Sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, take more breaks, and do less intense activities, especially later in the day. Others are not likely to be affected, but should also be aware of symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, or other respiratory issues.
Ozone pollution generally builds up throughout the day and impacts air quality most in the late afternoon and early evening. Follow live air quality conditions at Louisville Air Watch. To learn more, click here.
Majority Caucus Will Tour Affordable Housing Sites
The Louisville Metro Council Majority Caucus members will participate in another bus tour on Saturday, July 29, 2023.
Majority Caucus Chair, Councilwoman Paula McCraney, implemented these tours after she was elected Chair in January. The tours provide an opportunity for members to learn more about individual districts and gain insight on projects, programs, and issues. To learn more, click here.
Minority Caucus to Meet Thursday, July 27, 2023
The Minority Caucus of the Louisville Metro Council will hold its regular meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023 from the 2nd floor Caucus Room within City Hall (601 W. Jefferson Street).
During the meeting members of the Minority Caucus will review upcoming items on the evening’s Metro Council agenda and discuss items that will be heard in committee the following week.
The Minority Caucus holds its regular meetings at 4pm on the same day as meetings of the Louisville Metro Council. Future dates for Minority Caucus Meetings are scheduled for August 10, August 24, September 14 and September 28, 2023. To learn more, click here.
Women’s Caucus Will Meet on Thursday, July 27
The Louisville Metro Council Women’s Caucus will meet on Thursday, July 27, at 2:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Third Floor Conference Room, Historic City Hall, 601 West Jefferson Street.
This month’s topic for discussion is reproductive health. The meeting will feature guest speakers, presentations, and assembly of period packs for donation to local non-profits. Come with your questions, which you will have the opportunity to ask anonymously. To learn more, click here.
Democratic Caucus Will Meet on Thursday, July 27
The Democratic Caucus of the Louisville Metro Council will meet on Thursday, July 27, at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Third Floor Conference Room, Historic City Hall, 601 West Jefferson Street.
The meeting is open to the public. The public may enter City Hall using the Sixth Street entrance. Anyone needing assistance may enter City Hall from the Jefferson Street entrance.
Under KRS 61.826, some members will be video conferencing using WebEx. To learn more, click here.
Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Jefferson County
The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) has found mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus in surveillance traps in the Iroquois area. To help prevent infection and reduce the mosquito population, mosquito fogging will take place this week in the 40214 ZIP code.
To learn more, click here.
New Electric Vehicle Charger Coming to Frankfort Avenue
Councilman Andrew Owen (D-9) is thrilled to announce the installation of a new electric vehicle (EV) charger in the public parking lot located at Frankfort Avenue and Keats Avenue. This initiative is another significant step towards promoting sustainable transportation and addressing the growing need for accessible charging infrastructure.
To learn more, click here.
Hogan’s Fountain Pavilion to Undergo Emergency Demolition This Week
Emergency demolition work will begin this week on Hogan’s Fountain Pavilion at Cherokee Park. Louisville Metro Government issued an order for emergency demolition of the structure last week after finding extensive deterioration of the structure, making it unstable and in imminent danger of failure or collapse. To learn more, click here.
Mayor Greenberg Appoints Gwinn-Villaroel to Lead Louisville Metro Police Department
After a monthslong, nationwide search, Mayor Craig Greenberg announced Thursday he has chosen Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel as Louisville’s Chief of Police. Gwinn-Villaroel currently serves as interim chief and will now be the permanent leader of LMPD, the largest law enforcement agency in Kentucky with more than 1,000 sworn officers. To learn more, click here.
Legal Aid Society Guide to Protections Against Landlord Discrimination
Please view the short legal guide to protections against landlord discrimination based on lawful source of income. To learn more, click here.
Land Development Code Reform
The Land Development Code (LDC) is a set of rules and laws that defines how land can be used, how a development such as a new shopping mall or apartment must be designed, and the procedures for approval. 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.
Work to reform the LDC began in the summer of 2020. Initial recommendations, including accessory dwelling units, notification procedures, and urban agriculture were all adopted within the first year. The work continues and we encourage you to participate!
To learn about the currently proposed amendments to the LDC, please click HERE to view the content or copy the following link into the address bar of your web browser: https://arcg.is/05LCLX0.
Please contact Joel Dock, Planning Coordinator at 502-574-5860 or send an email to ldcreform@louisvilleky.gov with any questions or comments.
Kroger’s Mobile Market
Louisville Metro Government is teaming up with Kroger to bring financial empowerment services into neighborhoods through Kroger’s Mobile Market stops.
Financial services and information available at Kroger Mobile Market sites will include:
- Free financial counseling from the Louisville Financial Empowerment Center
- Free tax preparation services from the Volunteer Income Tax Program (VITA)
- Access to Bank On Louisville’s certified banking products across 10 financial institutions in the Louisville market
- Free financial coaching and counseling for people with disabilities
Find the Financial Empowerment team alongside the Mobile Market on the following dates/sites:
- Dosker Manor on Mondays (starting August 7) from 10:00am-11:30am
- Avenue Plaza Apartments on Thursdays from 12:30pm-2:00pm
- Chapel House every other Friday (starting August 4) from 2:30-4:00pm
*Follow Bank On Louisville on facebook for updates.
Individual Landmarks Architectural Review Committee
There has been a notice issued for 911 South Brook Street. To learn more, click here.
Food Truck Clinic
The Food Truck Clinic is a one-stop-shop where food and beverage vendors can get the green light from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, Louisville Division of Fire and Jefferson County Fire Service, and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to legally sell food and drinks to the public.
Every Thursday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., from now until Oct. 19, food trucks and other mobile vendors can stop by the alley at Armory Place, behind the Metro Development Center to get their permits to operate.
The Food Truck Clinic not only benefits vendors, but community members, too. Each Thursday, the public is invited to the clinic to enjoy food and beverages after food trucks get the go ahead to open.
444 S. 5th St., Louisville, KY 40202
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