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On The Agenda Of Tomorrow’s Metro Council
Louisville City Hall
Metro Council will be meeting tomorrow, Thursday, February 25 at 6:00pm. Here are a few items on the agenda. They might not all be addressed, but I suppose we’ll see. Any thoughts?
- Metro Council could approve a parking waiver for the new wine shop, restaurant, and art gallery planned at the old Housman Motors building on East Market and Campbell Streets. The waiver would reduce the required on-site parking from 28 spaces to 13 and requires the approval of MC because its a gross reduction of over 50%. This seems like a no-brainer considering the ample street parking in the area and its inherently urban quality and it’s another step forward for an East Market Street venture. A site plan submitted shows a new 3,650 square foot one-story structure to be built directly east of the existing 2,350 square foot structure and a one-way driveway wrapping around the new and existing structure from Market to Campbell. In addition to a roof terrace, there will be about 600 square feet of outdoor dining space.
- An amendment to the Louisville Development Code (LDC) could create a new designation in the Traditional Neighborhood Zoning District (TNZD) governing development in Old Louisville called the “Form District Edge Transition.” This change would provide for the proposed redevelopment of the Masterson’s block near U of L into a mixed-use project and is the result of discussions between the developer, Investment Property Advisors, and Old Louisville. The change should provide greater design flexibility for compatible projects that respect the historic area’s character.
- The Floyds Fork Greenway Master Plan could be incorporated into the city’s Cornerstone 2020 Comprehensive Plan in the Land Development Code and would establish a relationship between the 3,800 acre 21st Century Parks initiative and future development. The master plan “promotes a healthy relationship between the park, existing neighborhood features and future development.” Guidelines include requiring structures lining the park to face the park, planting street trees, and preserving natural ecosystems.
- Another change to the LDC aims to preserve existing trees on new development sites by adding incentives to developers and provides enforcement measures to penalize developers who illegally remove trees. The amendment has been worded to promote native species and offers no protection for existing invasives and also stresses preservation over replacement of trees. It’s a move spurred by a couple recent cases where developers removed trees that were supposed to be preserved, angering neighbors.
- Metro Council could approve a new member of the planning commission, John Stockton, appointed by Mayor Jerry Abramson. Stockton hails from the 18th district in the east end would serve a term expiring October 1, 2012.
- A couple city owned parcels, one in Portland and one Downtown, could be deemed surplus so they could be sold. The Portland parcel is a grassy residential lot and the parcel Downtown is at 400 S. 1st Street on the southwest corner with Liberty Street. It’s currently occupied by an ugly beige brick building and a parking lot. Also, an alley in Shelby Park could be closed at the request of St. Vincent de Paul. Two other alleys could also be closed.
- An ordinance could implement a geographic diversity requirement on government boards and commissions.
- A $300,000 loan could be extended to Herz Investment Group, the owners of the Starks Building on Fourth Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard. The loan would cover fit-up costs for a planned steakhouse on the first floor.
PrintStill Hope For Louisville’s Transportation Future
9th St. Interchange & Wasted Land Beyond (BS File Photo)
Despite a reckless and unfair hearing at the Metro Council Transportation Committee last week, there’s still hope that the resolution sponsored by Tina Ward-Pugh and Tom Owen calling for public input in the soon to be named tolling authority will get a hearing, if at least only symbolic.
Last week, the Ward-Pugh / Owen resolution was defeated in committee after virtually no discussion. The opposing Kremer / Tandy resolution placing the Ohio River Bridges Project tolling authority on the fast track with no public scrutiny or input was passed after about 45 minutes of discussion.
After the rushed meeting, Tina Ward-Pugh was scratching her head wondering how a decision so fateful for the city can garner such little serious attention. She was shocked but not surprised, and plans to continue to fight for community input in the project that will define Louisville for generations.
The full Metro Council must now vote on the resolutions. Tina Ward-Pugh says there are Metro Council members willing to voice their opinion for public comment on the tolling authority. She expects 7 or 8 votes in favor of the Ward-Pugh / Owen resolution this week, a number that falls short of the fourteen votes needed to pass. The resolution’s wording, though, makes it clear what’s at stake (read more after the click):
[I"]f the Metro Council chooses to create the Bi-state Infrastructure Authority without establishing and executing its own fair and public process that ensures all citizens of this newly merged government understand the ORBP and its everlasting consequence to our community, it will be abdicating its responsibility to its constituents to an unelected, appointed body which will decide to impose what could be the largest tax increase in our city’s history.”
Ward-Pugh will sill hold public meetings, no matter what the outcome, to inform the public of what’s happening with the project. She remains optimistic that the best solution will emerge victorious in the end and hopes the public continues to pay attention as plans progress.
When the Kremer-Tandy resolution likely passes Metro Council this week, the Mayor will appoint four members to the bi-state tolling authority. The Ville-Voice speculates on the composition of the appointments:
“We’re guessing David Tandy’s in line for that one. He sponsored the Council’s ordinance and pretty much goes along with the Mayor’s whims. And the Mayor can do him a big favor, perhaps, in his quest to become the city’s next Mayor. The other sponsor of the ordinance, Republican Kevin Kramer, isn’t likely to be Jerry’s pick.
“You can guess that Abramson and Beshear will pack the authority with people who share their views, rather than a mix of people holding different opinions on the Bridges. This is why you can eliminate people like Tina Ward-Pugh of the Metro Council or 8664’s Tyler Allen, who would be most knowledgeable, from consideration.”
Passage of the Kremer / Tandy tolling authority resolution is by no means the end of the road. Tina Ward-Pugh notes that the upcoming leadership change as we elect a new mayor is one major step and encourages all Louisville residents concerned with the future of the city to find a candidate willing to stand up for progressive transportation policy among other ideas.
Click through to read some national perspective and take a look at the resolution.
8664.org Polling Data Released, Metro Council Squanders Opportunity
9th Street Interchange at Main Street
Metro Council’s Transportation Panel took the opportunity to rubber stamp the creation of a tolling authority without public comment Thursday, and took less than an hour to do it. From 8664.org:
“Despite articulate pleas by Councilwoman Ward-Pugh and Councilman Owen for public involvement, the four other present transportation committee members abdicated their responsibility to govern and passed the resolution.”
Council Members Kremer and Tandy, who sponsored the resolution, say there is no more need for public comment despite outcry from Louisville residents. The hasty move left many in attendance including Metro Council members stunned. The full Metro Council will take up the issue on July 30 with a vote on the Kremer-Tandy resolution.
8664.org also released internal polling numbers it sought in 2008. The LEO’s Fat Lip blog has the best coverage by far, so check out the findings over here. Download a press release and the polling data at 8664.org. Suffice it to say, most people in Louisville by a large margin think the East End Bridge is the most important transportation piority. You can read more from Page One over here, but don’t expect any mention in the C-J. Per Fat Lip:
“Our prediction? In less than 48 hours The Courier-Journal will run an editorial saying how this study was funded by communists and that anybody who believes the study is a communist, too, and should be deported to communist-land.”
Interstate 64 terminates the view on 9th Street
Museum Plaza Watch: ‘Trust Us, This Thing’s Getting Built’
Museum Plaza Drawings Ready To Go (photo by Museum Plaza)
Craig Greenberg went before Metro Council today to answer the tough questions about the state of the Museum Plaza development. We didn’t have a chance to sit in on the Q & A but did read over a letter Greenberg sent to Metro Council about the project. The gist of the meeting probably goes something like, “Financial meltdown. We’re doing our best. We’re ready to go. Economic crisis. We’re going to get this thing built. Credit crunch.” More realistically, Craig is trying to reassure Metro Council that matters are under control and the project will move forward as the economy improves.
Life’s not easy for a mega-project in these trying economic times. That giant spire that Santiago Calatrava designed in Chicago is just a hole in the ground and going nowhere fast, Dubai is in meltdown mode, and even the new World Trade Center is being held up every other day or so. Louisville is not unique by having a delayed mega-project. What is unique are a group of developers so dedicated to the city. And with $47 million already invested in the project so far, including $1.2 million to purchase property not owned by the city and about $14 million more to bury some power lines, the group can’t just walk away from an already substantial development.
So far, 20 permits and approvals to get started have already been acquired for the project, the Westin hotel franchise is still ready to go, and the developers are good for the money. They were even forced to bear all in a confidential letter demonstrating “Evidence of Net Worth” and their ability to personally meet the financial obligations. Greenberg reassures the Council as well that no city funds have been used so far in the project, and won’t until a complete financing package has been obtained.
And so far, the plans and design for the building haven’t changed. Greenberg’s letter to Metro Council explains that “the architectural and construction documents for Museum Plaza are to build a building and infrastructure that is the same as has been shown in renderings… over the past two years.” And the construction documents are done. Waiting. Sitting in a back office somewhere biding their time until financing rolls in. That’s them in the photo above.
Despite a barrage of concerns and worries from Metro Council, the developers are still showing no sign of breaking. While an anxious public keeps fingers crossed or pointing fingers poised, the pressure must be great for the four who have already put so much at stake. Here’s the optimism Greenberg and the rest of the development group still maintain for Museum Plaza:
“Laura Lee Brown, Steve Wilson, Steve Poe, myself and the entire Museum Plaza development team remain as committed as ever to building this important community project. It is too important not to build. Museum Plaza will not only energize and improve West Main Street, Downtown Louisville, and our entire community, but serve as a symbol of our community and state’s ability to rebound from these challenging times stronger than ever.
“Museum Plaza will be under construction within 30 days of closing our financing, building $150 million of infrastructure and having an economic impact of over $1 billion during our construction period. Over 4,500 different people will help build Museum Plaza, earning prevailing wages. Over 600 people will work on the site every day during its peak construction period. And, over 1,500 people will have permanent good jobs in the building upon its completion. Museum Plaza will quickly and forcefully stimulate Kentucky’s economy, while improving it and its image in the process.”
- Museum Plaza (Official Site)
- More Museum Plaza coverage from Broken Sidewalk
Metro Council’s Fear Of Museum Plaza Unfounded, Lawyer Says
Museum Plaza construction site covered in snow
Several million dollars of construction liens filed against Museum Plaza by contractors caused a panic among some Metro Council members last week as they worried public land on the construction site could be jeopardized. Council members Hal Heiner and Jim King asked for a legal opinion on the issue and demanded a report on the future viability of the Museum Plaza project, calling into question the developers’ business practices. Today, the Jefferson County Attorney’s office released a statement putting Heiner’s and King’s fears to rest: city land won’t we taken and the developers must assume full responsibility for the liens.
Attorney Craig Greenberg, partner in the Museum Plaza development, wasn’t all too pleased, however, that the issue was brought up at all: ”It’s unfortunate that Councilman Heiner continues to put roadblocks in the way of progress and job creation… There are enough challenges today outside of our control and community to get this project under way.” The team reassured the public, again, that they will be moving forward with Museum Plaza when the credit markets improve. Meanwhile, the power lines the developers paid to have burried should be completely switched over in the next month or so and two large electrical towers will come down. Crews already removed the riverfront dinosaur for just such an occasion.
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