Sep 2, 2008

The Giant White Monkeys we reported on earlier that appeared on West Main Street this morning are not fully inflated. That’s right: six monkeys are now loose on downtown Louisville.

The next step in completing the art installation by Stefan Sagmeister is to install a word in front of each balloon primate that will eventually read: “Everybody Always Thinks They Are Right.” The pale creatures actually are slightly frightening and stare menacingly to the myriad photogs littering the sidewalk. Stay back… the monkeys think are right! Stay tuned for further updates…

Giant White Monkeys Invade West Main Street (Broken Sidewalk)

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Museum Plaza Utility Work Exposes Original Wharf

By Branden Klayko -

Sep 2, 2008

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The massive hole in the middle of River Road near 6th Street has exposed some urban archaeological remnants buried deep below the street. About eight feet below grade, a line of cobblestone runs sloping towards the river; it’s the old wharf!

These stones likely haven’t been glimpsed since the highway was under construction, but we keep our eyes peeled for those buried artifacts underneath Louisville.

Trolley Tracks Revealed on Preston Street (Broken Sidewalk)

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Arena Mayhem: Demolition Update

By Branden Klayko -

Sep 2, 2008

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There’s nothing like seeing actual work on an actual project, and the folks over at O’Rourke aim to please. Demolition and clearance has all but finished at the former Humana Riverside site and is progressing at lightning pace at the LG&E site.

Last time we stopped by, we discovered the remains of a giant jet engine. This time, just a hulking pile of metal. Work on the new floodwall along Second Street is about to begin, too. We noticed some bright spray paint indicating the demise of the sidewalk under the bridge.

Arena Mayhem: Giant Engine Found Amid LG&E Rubble (Broken Sidewalk)

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Morning News Roundup

By Broken Sidewalk -

Sep 2, 2008

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Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run in front of Police HQ (Fox 41)
Blind pedestrians along Frankfort have new map (Fox 41)
Louisville’s airport is really busy, 9th busiest in world (Metro Lou)
The air today might kill you (Metro Lou)

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Giant White Monkeys Invade West Main Street

Design

By Branden Klayko -

Sep 2, 2008

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Yes, there are indeed six giant white monkeys currently taking over the area around Fort Nelson Park. We already told you how West Main Street was going to the animals, but this new development at the former home of the Museum Plaza construction trailer that suddenly went missing last week brings new meaning to the “urban jungle.”

The installation, by Austrian-born, New York–based graphic artist Stefan Sagmeister, originally appeared at the Six Cities Design Festival in Scotland, but the monkeys have hopped the Atlantic thanks to the 21c Museum Hotel. The monkeys each hold a word that delivers the overall message, “Everybody Always Thinks They Are Right.”

Stefan Sagmeister has recently written a new book called Things I have learned in my life so far which you can purchase here. The installation will be completely set up by tomorrow and will run through the IdeaFestival in late September. We will be sure to bring you the photos.

Stefan Sagmeister (Official Site)
Stefan Sagmeister (Wikipedia)
Things I have learned in my life so far (Amazon.com)
Complaining is Silly – An Interview with Stefan Sagmeister (Ciba Xymara)
Designer monkeys around in cities (BBC)
6 inflatables delivering a message downtown (C-J)
IdeaFestival (Official Site)
Tropical Frogs Descend on West Main Street (Broken Sidewalk)
Update: Museum Plaza Construction Trailer Missing! (Broken Sidewalk)

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New Manhattan Grill Location Opens Tuesday

By Branden Klayko -

Aug 29, 2008

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The new location of Manhattan Grill on the corner of 5th Street and Muhammad Ali Blvd. will open on Tuesday, September 3rd in the Republic Building.

The new space features lots of glass on a busy intersection for those wishing to look out and widescreen plasma televisions for those wanting to look in. The restaurant takes up about 2,300 square feet so there should be plenty of room to do both.

Manhattan Grill Expands to 5th Street (Broken Sidewalk)

Update: Museum Plaza Construction Trailer Missing!

By Branden Klayko -

Aug 29, 2008

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Wednesday, we told you about the imminent “relocation” of the Museum Plaza construction trailer to accommodate a few IdeaFestival festivities. After some nostalgic reminiscing yesterday, we stopped back today to see where they would stash the giant white box, but the entire trailer had been removed completely from the site.

It wasn’t hiding behind the floodwall, or tucked between the empty row buildings on Main Street. The trailer has been “relocated” to an undisclosed location in presumably the Louisville area.

As for our friend the first Museum Plaza resident? He was sent packing, or rather… Mortenson Construction packed for him, leaving his belongings in a dumpster on site.

Museum Plaza (Official Site)
Breaking News: Museum Plaza Jobsite Trailer Being Disassembled (Broken Sidewalk)
Remember When They Were Building Museum Plaza? (Broken Sidewalk)
Activity at the Museum Plaza Lot! (Broken Sidewalk)

Doctor’s Office Building Finished

By Branden Klayko -

Aug 29, 2008

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The University of Louisville Outpatient Center and Doctor’s Office Building on the corner of Chestnut Street and Preston Street is now finished with construction and open for business. The seven-story, 193,000 square foot building houses physician’s offices and outpatient surgery suites.

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Nulu Building Kills Birds

Preservation

By Branden Klayko -

Aug 29, 2008

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Over the summer, two unassuming historic structures covered in metal siding along East Jefferson Street in the East Village were stripped and re-clad in new siding. Briefly their historic faces caught a glimpse of sunshine before being masked off for years to come. Simple story of preservation gone wrong and building maintenance. Not so!

Bird Killing Building on the Loose. (Branden Klayko / Broken Sidewalk)

A few weeks later, the newly sided buildings became blood-thirsty. The structure has ensnared a bird in its metal jaws and left its lifeless body dangling two floors above the sidewalk. Take a look at the historic facade as the building undergoes residing below.