Broken Sidewalk . Striking Visions Of Louisville’s Future Within Our Grasp

Striking Visions Of Louisville’s Future Within Our Grasp

Riverfront Boulevard west fron near 6th Street

Riverfront Boulevard west from near 6th Street

These renderings are simply amazing. The folks over at 8664.org released today a few jazzed up renderings at what’s possible along Louisville’s waterfront. There’s also a video fly-by all through downtown and along the waterfront detailing just how great life without the 7th Least Wanted Highway slicing between the city and its river can be. It’s already smothering the grass at the Great Lawn and we all should know how destructive the junction will be to Downtown, but these beautiful visuals should help everyone realize what great potential there really is along Louisville’s waterfront. Perhaps most dramatic are the views of Shippingport and the areas immediately west of Downtown. The potential for urban growth and real city life almost feels graspable from the above view. As anyone who has walked the stretch of RiverWalk over in this area, this is quite an unmistakable transformation. And the numbers back the plan up, too. Here are a few of the most dramatic stats kept by 8664.org.

Consider the following:

The East End Bridge is supported by more than a 2 to 1 margin over a Downtown Bridge.
FrederickPolls, January 2008, 500 Jefferson County Voters

The East End Bridge will divert more than 30,000 cars per day from the Kennedy Bridge by 2025.
Ohio River Bridges Project, Environmental Impact Statement, 2003

The Bridges Project will widen I-64 through Cherokee Park.
KYTC Kennedy Interchange Area Study, November 2008

The “8664″ alternative provides 99% of the “system-wide performance” of the Bridges Project.
KYTC Kennedy Interchange Area Study, November 2008

These images speak louder than words, so sit back, watch the video, and ponder a stroll along Louisville’s future Waterfront Boulevard on a warm Spring morning. And then go to 8664.org to find out how you can take action to realize a better Possibility City.

(Make sure you click through below to see the rest.)