I also think I remember the “Nulu” designation was reluctantly or narrowly approved by the East Market Business association. (Again, that’s just how I think I remember it going down…I may be way off base and it passed with flying colors?). Either way, I do think the general naming concept warrants a wider discussion, if only in the completely non-biding confines of Broken Sidewalk.

I fancy myself a resident, though cosmopolitan Louisvillian. I welcome changes, influences, improvements, etc brought in by newcomers, recently relocated, etc. With that said, careful consideration of (note: “consideration of”, not “deference to”) the standing history, traditions, and rituals should be observed, especially in a town like Louisville that (backwardly, IMHO) references gas stations and Bacon’s stores closed decades prior.

The “Nulu” thing was a little too fast/too soon/too outsiderish?/too anticipatory/not properly rooted in history or geography for me.

Vast investment and rehabilitation of an area of Louisville? Check. That’s awesome. Work and money appreciated.

Renaming rights of an area of town dating to the mid 1800’s? Eh…..?

Props to (new, out-of-town, whatever) investors in the area and I think Gil Holland has some good ideas. Just think a bit of legacy should be involved in a wholesale name change. Should his ideas and imprint have staying power, I would have no problem calling the area, say, “Hollandville” 50 years from now. But, for the time being, it’s “East Market” for me.

It’s a newly created commercial section, not a historical one. As such, the business powers that be are going to create a name that is specific to that place and easy to remember and say. “East Market” will eventually be too specific (if you want to go New York, it could be EaMar, which sounds like that nerdy science teacher in ninth grade – or a car parts store). NuLu is more specific in area than Phoenix Hill. No one is going to say ‘Let’s go down to Phoenix Hill’ when they mean they want to eat at Social and check out Scout. Phoenix Hill encompasses a large area that no one really calls Phoenix Hill. Growing up in the 50s and 60s that area was ‘down by the stockyards.’ Phoenix Hill now means the Tavern, which is actually ON that hill.

The thing about place names that stick – and this one will… it already has – is that they gain patina eventually. In 25 years NuLu will have that. History didn’t happen all in the past. It’s happening now.

I agree that we do not need to fabricate a name, especially one that seems more NYC than Louisville, but what do you define as tackiness – the new Creation Gardens, the new restaurants, Legacy Lofts?

What would you call this area? East Market District? East Market & East Main District? West Butchertown?