Auburndale Neighborhood Group

A Time to Listen – The New Cut-Taylor Corridor (July 23rd)

July 23, Sts Mary and Elizabeth Assembly Room – Fifty-four South End residents along with area state and local elected officials, neighborhood leaders and business owners gathered in force to share with urban planners what improvements would make the area a “nice place to live”.

Representatives from the University of Louisville’s City Solutions Center and Kentucky League of Cities presented an update from the work of the Advisory Task Force appointed by Mayor Fischer including the draft Vision Statement:

Residents of South Louisville envision their neighborhoods as a community with tremendous potential. With a culture rooted in the land-use aesthetics of Fredrick Law Olmsted’s Iroquois Park and Southern Parkway, the New Cut Road/Taylor Boulevard Corridor is prime for developing the boulevard concept.

Neighborhood and business areas are interspersed, affording the opportunity to cluster activities, develop appropriate signage and attract supporting businesses.

Safe neighborhoods that embrace the culture of the corridor are priorities for the community. We seek to reinvest in the infrastructure and housing stock of our neighborhoods, while preserving our cultural heritage.

Within the vision are found these values:

A well thought out neighborhood plan that sustains the value of the community. To include:

• Pedestrian friendliness
• Safety  (Crosswalks – Lighting – Up-to-date traffic control)
• Senior living housing
• Encouragement of new investment through zoning

A safe and efficient parkway that is inviting, manages congestion and considers all users.

A vibrant local economy where business owners are invested in a public/private partnership, and foster the unique diversity of the corridor.

A green, vibrant, inviting and livable appearance that welcomes visitors and residents alike with clear signage that is consistent, functional, and easy to navigate.
 

A redefined corridor freed of utility obstruction that supports bike and pedestrian improvements, adaptive reuse of structures, and environmental improvements through unified plantings.

Identified key historic features that define the area and preserve those concepts in future development.

Councilwoman Vicki Welch, D-13 observed:
With 54 people in attendance, we exceeded our goal of 50. I was pleased to have representation from the entire corridor present and engaged with positive suggestions. I was especially pleased that 3 of our state legislators attended, Sen. Perry Clark, Reps. Wade Hurt and Mike Nemes, as well as School Board Rep Linda Duncan. Along with myself and CW Marianne Butler, ccommunity elected officials are greatly interested in improving this corridor in South Louisville.
Let's hope the next meetings will generate even more community interest. This is an exciting plan which encourages revitalization to our unique but aging corridor of Louisville Metro.

The next phase of the project will be the Charrette, planned for September 10 from 9 am until noon.  A location will be will be named at a later date.  At the design session South End residents can choose the aspect they feel most strongly about and offer up their vision about particular aspects of Corridor Development.   100-150 persons are expected to attend.

The Corridor Project has been made possible through the efforts of Council Members Welch D-13, Butler D-21, and Yates D-25.