West St. Catherine Neighborhood Association

Beautification & Cleanliness

Sep 14, 2001

Not long ago, a writer from Southern Living came into Louisville, intending to stay at one of our bed-and-breakfasts and contemplating the possiblity of writing an article about our historic neighborhood. Unfortunately, she got off I-65 at the St. Catherine exit, took one look around her, imagined a war zone, and went elsewhere.

The appearance of the St. Catherine exit--our principal gateway from the interstate to Old Louisville--has long been a problem for our neighborhood's attempts to draw tourism, publicity, and business. Those who approach Old Louisville need to feel invited, not menaced, and an attractive entry point would certainly be among the first of many amenitites we could add in our community.

That is why some of the neighborhood's smaller organizations--among them the West St. Catherine Nieghborhood Association and the Louisville Business and Professional Association--have been brainstorming with architects and landscapers over the last several months. Their intentions are to present a beautiful and economically feasible package to Alderman George Unseld--something that he could plausibly support with his customary tireless advocacy. Several plans have been placed in front of our organizations, and we are trying to decide which is the most suitable, both easthetically and financially.

The problem is that smaller organizations do not have the deep pockets and influential voices of some local busineses and larger neighborhood associations. That is why further support is urgent: a project that would improve the image of the whole neighborhood deserves the whole neighborhood's backing. We urge your support in any way you can offer it, whether financial, advisory, or through simply joining your voices with ours.