seicer

Downtown public housing, retail project unveiled By Marcus Green, The Courier-Journal [Louisville], August 2, 2007 Map of the location. On August 2, city officials announced a $3.5 million mixed-use development at Broadway and Shelby Street as part of a city-wide effort to replace the public housing units lost when the Clarksdale Homes were demolished. The three-story building will contain first-floor retail and 22 apartments on the upper two floors, which will consist of a mix of public, subsidized, and market-rate apartments. The cost of the project will be covered by the city's share of federal grants and other funds being used to build Liberty Green, a mixed-use housing developement on the site of the former Clarksdale housing project. The Louisville Metro Housing Authority bought the land for $1 from the city's land bank and demolished the former Broadway Meat Store.

Narrow lanes to get marks to aid cyclists (w/ illustration) By Justin Hesser, Courier-Journal [Louisville], July 28, 2007 Clark Memorial Bridge, one of the most dangerous crossings for bicyclists, connects Louisville to southern Indiana. It was the site of a deadly accident on July 5 when a motorist ran over a bicyclist. The Louisville Metro Government is trying to make the bridge, and other streets, safer for bicyclists. Pavement markings and signs, called "sharrows", will be placed on the bridge and other narrow streets in the city where there is not enough room for a separate bicycle lane. The pavement markings will go in the center of the lane and will include a graphic depiction of a bicycle with two chevrons above it. Each marking is 3 feet wide and 10 feet long. A sign will be installed adjacent to the marking that states, "SHARED LANE, YIELD TO BIKES." The markings and signs will be the first in Kentucky (Lexington is considering this) and are intended to reinforce the rules of the road for motorists -- that cyclists have the same rights in the travel lanes as vehicles. The city has obtained permission from the state, who controls the bridge, to place the signs and markings. They will be used on an experimental basis because the federal government has not yet placed the sign in its Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The city sent a seven-page letter to the Federal Highway Administration in April seeking permission to use the signs, and received permission on July 5. Other cities, including Denver, Portland, San Francisco, and Chicago already use the markings and signs. The signs and markings will cost $4,000 on the bridge. The city is currently evaluating streets and will begin placing markings on them soon. The streets being considered are -- 15th Street from Kentucky Street to Wilson Avenue. Third Street from River Road to Broadway. Main and Market streets from Ninth to First streets. Jackson Street from Woodbine Avenue to Broadway. Spring/Adams Street from Mellwood Avenue to Washington Street. A memorial ride is planned for August 12 in honor of Cronen, who died in the accident on the Clark Bridge.

Headley-Whitney will double in size: First expansion since museum opened in 1973 By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader [Lexington], July 28, 2007 The Headley-Whitney Museum opened in 1973 along Old Frankfort Pike. Jewelry designer George Headley has operated the unique museum since then, luring visitors into the heart of horse farm country to view a unique collection of jeweled baubles and other decorative items. It also features a large collection of custom doll houses and miniature versions of buildings on the C.V. Whitney Farm on Bryan Station Road -- a collection of the now-deceased Whitney. The museum has not expanded since it opened, although a green light on July 27 from the Lexington Board of Adjustment has given the museum permission to grow in size. The project will more than double the size of the main museum building and add about 3,000 sq. ft. of new exhibit space. The additional space will allow the museum to take advantage of its status as an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and bring Smithsonian collections to Lexington. The museum achieved Smithsonian affiliation status in 2003, which means it can partner directly with 19 Smithsonian museums to receive exhibits, collections, educational programs, and technical support. In the plan, the new north wing will have two galleries, while the south wing will have a gallery, storage space, and an area to prepare exhibits for display and staff offices. Construction is expected to begin this fall and be completed by May 2008 in time for the museum's annual Bibelot Brunch. The museum was constructed on Headley's farm, La Belle, in part to house his collection of bibelots. Bibelots are small, but ornate decorative objects. Whitney, who was a sister-in-law of George Headley, died in 1985. In 1994, burglars broke into the museum and stole 103 of the unique items, which were never recovered.

[url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070723/ZONE07/70723027]Ali Center

^ I wouldn't mind personally seeing some nice apartment complexes constructed just south along what was once a burgeoning residential district. It's kind of fallen on the wayside, especially since development accelerated along the riverfront. -- Loft project opens on Market: Effort continues area's development By Sheldon S. Shafer, Courier-Journal [Louisville], July 23, 2007 Forty-two condominiums are now ready for occupancy in the $10 million Mercantile Gallery Lofts development at Market and Floyd Streets in the East Main-Market corridor near the Louisville Slugger Field. Within the past three to four years, there have been numerous restaurants, galleries, and market-rate housing that have opened in the area. Since the marketing began on the development last month, eight units have been sold. The units range from $179,000 to $400,000, which does not include the $850,000 penthouse (still available). The common area features a theater room, billiards and poker tables, a fireplace lounge that can be reserved, a fitness center, laundry, and an open-air courtyard. The development included the restoration of two major structures that were combined -- the former five-story OEM Building (circa 1933) and the former four-story Rosenbaum Building (circa 1880). A third smaller structure that was once a warehouse operated by Brinly-Hardy, a lawn-equipment company that provided land for Louisville Slugger Field, moved to southern Indiana. The building, built around 1960, is the development's parking garage. A delay in construction was caused by the partial collapse of the old Charnette Building (circa 1900) that collapsed in 2005. The Charnette Building has three floors and approximately 9,500 sq. ft. of space and is located at the corner of Floyd and Market. The original plan was to develop the building for four or five condos, but now it will include retail on the ground floor and offices on the upper two floors. Restoration work on the building should be complete by mid-September.

Posted many new photographs of Lexington, Kentucky on my web-site article at UrbanUp. You can read more about it here and view the 100+ photographs already on the site. The site is still new and in its infancy, and much of the text was copied from articles that I wrote at other web-sites, but it's coming along! Downtown 1. Christ Church Cathedral: Constructed in 1848, this Gothic Revival church was designed by Major Thomas Lewinski. It is currently the home of the Cathedral for the Diocese of Lexington. 2. 500's on the Main: View of Phase One. Phase Two includes the signature steel and glass spire. 3. A grand office tower at Short and Mill. 4. This large structure at South Upper and Short recently had its windows replaced. 5. Park

I think the ones on S. Upper will be separate, but the ones on S. Limestone are connected to the ones being constructed in the rear.

I posted more photographs and commentary at the (crude and unfinished) UrbanUp web-site. Enjoy! "College Town" 1. This historic church was demolished for new development near the University of Kentucky. It was neglected for many years and had lost most of its historic value. Downtown 2. The intersection of Vine and Limestone. 3. Looking east along the Vine Street corridor. The Transit Center is to the right. 4. At the intersection of Esplanade and East Main Street are numerous local stores and eateries. 5. The former Ades Dry Goods Building was renovated in 1987 into lofts and businesses. South Hill 6. These homes are being renovated into condos as part of the Kimball House Square project. 7. A view of the new infrastructure along South Mill. 8. South Hill 525. The new homes along South Mill and other adjoining streets are part of the South Hill Crossing project. 9. The new homes along South Mill and other adjoining streets are part of the South Hill Crossing project. Woodward Heights 10. 11. Manchester Avenue corridor 12. Former Pepper distillery. University of Kentucky 13. New North Hall is a new residential dormitory complex. 14. The CRMS Building is home to the University of Kentucky Center for Manufacturing. 15. Central campus, looking towards White Hall and the Patterson Office Tower. 16. Central campus with White Hall on the right. 17. The administration building is in the foreground, while the Patterson Office Tower looms in the background. 18. The south campus dormitories are visible.

Major expansion of 4th Street Live planned: Owner leases part of Starks Building By Alex Davis, Courier-Journal [Louisville], July 2, 2007 The owners of 4th Street Live in downtown Louisville have fully leased the first floor of the adjacent Starks Building as part of the first major expansion of the entertainment hub since it opened three years ago. Officials with The Cordish Company will announce today that they plan to add restaurants and retail shops to the ~25,000 sq. ft. first floor of the Starks Building at 4th Street and Muhammad Ali Blvd. The investment will be around the tune of $6 million, and should open within one year. The project should revitalize the building, whose retail shops "bottomed out" in recent years; the cafeteria in the basement closed around 2006. Other tenants in the building that still are there include law firms and medical practices on the upper floors. Seng Jewelers, one of the main tenants on the ground floor (and one remaining on 4th Street since the early 1950s), will remain at the current location. The building dates to 1913. When it was purchased last year, 45% of the space was leased, or half of the occupancy rate from the early 1990s. The assessed value of the 14-story building had fallen to $12.5 million from $17.6 million in 1998. The 4th Street Live tie-in is expected to create additional momentum for leasing efforts. More than 4 million visit the 300,000 sq. ft. 4th Street Live complex annually Mayor Jerry Abramson said that the project will help connect 4th Street Live with a larger proposed retail complex at the Louisville Water Company block along Third Street. City officials have identified Cordish as one of the leading candidates to develop the water company block. The city currently has options on the 6.2-acre block, and hopes to have an agreement with a developer within the next 12 months. Other development projects for the downtown include the $50 million office and retail complex along East Main Street between First and Second, called Iron Quarter. Last week, a developer announced plans to turn the old Vermont American plant on Main, across from Louisville Slugger Field, into shops, offices, and a micro-distillery. And a developer will buy a building later this month at 501 S. Fourth Street (Hillard Lyons Center) and spend as much as $30 million to renovate it into a hotel, with offices and retail.

Humana giving free rides: Company will pay for its employees to use TARC buses By Sheldon S. Shafer, The Courier-Journal, June 27, 2007 Humana announced today that it is providing free TARC bus rides to all 8,500 downtown Louisville employees, due to the high gasoline prices and concerns about air pollution. Under the deal, Humana is paying the Transit Authority of River City $175,000 a year to let its workers ride TARC buses, any time, anywhere, for free -- if they show a Humana employee ID card. The $175,000 is roughly what Humana had been paying previously annually to buy bus tickets that it distributed to workers who agreed to not take up space in the company parking structure. While it is hard to compute the cost of providing the service to Humana, if TARC loses money, the annual payment may be adjusted for 2008. The new bus program has been in effect since June 1, and now at least 400 Humana employees are riding the bus most work days. Some employees are doing it to save gasoline, wear-and-tear on their vehicles, and for personal reasons (environment, global warming, etc.). Ridership is also up, where some rides are now standing-only. Mayor Jerry Abramson will join Humana officials in announcing the program today at 10:30 at the Kentucky Center, where he is (was) expected to say that commuting is a factor in traffic jams, pollution from vehicle emissions, and global warming. "There's a better way. And Humana employees have discovered it." Humana is following the lead of the city, which in mid-2005, it struck a deal to pay TARC about $90,000/year to allow all metro employees to ride for free. Metro employees logged 17,000 rides in May, an increase of 17% over May 2006. The mayor is now challenging other businesses, large and small, to set up similar programs for their workers. TARC is also making the same pitch to local companies. Humana is the first corporation to sign a deal offering employees free TARC rides, but at least 20 other companies and agencies offer different types of aid for employees who take the bus. Many of the agencies and firms buy tickets and give them to employees, or discount the cost of the tickets. One such company is E.On. U.S., who has been fully reimbursing employees the cost of riding the bus to and from work for the past 15 years, although not many take up the offer. The Galt House Hotel and Suites offers its nearly 500 employees reduced prices on bus tickets that it purchases from TARC, but it is considering a program similar to Humana. U of L has paid TARC $400,000/year to let all of its students ride the bus for free.

Urban areas see biggest gains in property value Notes -- 1. Property values in many inner-urban neighborhoods, especially those close to downtown, are seeing large increases. This is because, per developers and government officials, of private investment that has followed through when the government initiates public incentives and financing to build new housing and remove blight. 2. One instance of this is the Russell neighborhood. 17 years of urban renewal have brought about a surge of property values - 113% increase from 2000 to 2006, from $18,065 to $38,500. More than 500 homes and apartment shave replaced abandoned lots and buildings. Some are rented to families on government subsidies, but others have sold for more than $400,000. Developers in this neighborhood received tax credits to build low-income rental houses; others were allowed to buy city-owned lots for $1. 2a. Part of this stemmed from a U of L project in an effort to revitalize the neighborhood in the mid-1990s. A federal government housing grant was used to buy some new housing. 3. In some areas, like Park DuValle, where there is a lot of new development, property values can spike - 241% jump in six years, from $26,540 to $90,500. This is because $100 million in government funds were secured to tear down public projects and replace them with mixed-income housing and apartments. Another $100 million came from private sources. 3a. Phoenix Hill, just east of downtown, also posted a large gain. Others, with 75% gains, include California, Portland, Old Louisville and Shively. 4. Overall median residential property value rose 32%, from $83,790 to $110,380 in six years. Article information: "Urban areas see biggest gains in property value, By Marcus Green, The Courier-Journal, June 5, 2007"

The Henry Clay Old hotel renovated for many uses Notes -- 1. The Henry Clay, a mixed-use restoration project at Third and Chestnut Streets, is filled with life after nearly 20 years of abandonment. Restoration cost $20 million; work began in 2005. 1a. The eight-story building was built in 1924 as the Elks Athletic Club and was operated as the Henry Clay Hotel from 1928 to 1968. It then became home to the YWCA until 1986 when it moved elsewhere in the downtown. The city then took the title to the building. 1b. Nearly 6 groups tried to redevelop the building over 20 years before Bill Weyland stepped in. He designed the Louisville Slugger Museum and developed Glassworks. He partnered with 15 others on the Henry Clay project. 2. All but one condominium is sold, the retail space is 100% filled, and a theatrical group has scheduled its first performance. The event space is rented regularly for receptions and other activities. 2a. There are 11 condominiums that are all on floor 8. They are all but sold (exception of 1), and cost $189,000 to $340,000. The condos have spiral stairways that lead to a glass-enclosed rooftop deck. 2b. There are 33 apartments, 11 each on floors 5-7, that rent from $600 to $1,200 a month. 21 are rented currently and all should be occupied by July 1. 2c. A gymnasium is being converted into the new home for the Bunbury Theatre at 145 seats. The first performance is scheduled for July 18. They plan to have five plays a year, and have the space rented out to nonprofit agencies. Bunbury has been without a permanent home since its old place at Seventh and Main Street was converted for the 21c Museum Hotel. It raised $400,000 to renovate the former hotel and has a 20-year lease. 3. Businesses include the Road to Morocco, a boutique that offers Moroccan decor and gifts. Dooley's Bagels will open around the beginning of June, and an art gallery called Kentucky Back Roads will open by July 1. A deli will open by Labor Day. These are all ground floor tenants. 4. Another "companion project" is the renovation of the historic Wright-Taylor Building behind the Henry Clay on Fourth Street. It will feature a two-level Japanese restaurant with a sushi bar in a sailboat, and will open in the fall. Article information: "Old hotel renovated for many uses, By Sheldon S. Shafer, The Courier-Journal, May 23, 2007"

Museum Plaza project OK, but some changes needed More will be posted tomorrow. Notes -- 1. The Downtown Development Review Overlay board, which oversees the design of downtown projects, stated that Museum Plaza meets most of its guidelines for new construction. However, it is recommending a few small changes, 1a. A way to connect a public plaza to the Ohio River -- similar to how the Belvedere reaches the wharf at Fourth Street and River Road. 1b. Encourage public art on the site. 1c. Submit plans for signage, landscaping, exterior lighting and details on the four-story parking structure that will serve as the base of Museum Plaza. 2. The city landmarks committee has recommended that an obelisk at Fort Nelson Park (Seventh and Main streets) remain at its current location. They wanted to remove it to build a parkway that would lead to the public plaza. The obelisk marks certain distances to Fort Nelson -- the second fort built in Kentucky. It is located on the site of Museum Plaza. Article information: "Museum Plaza project OK, but some changes needed, By Marcus Green, The Courier-Journal, May 23, 2007"

Empire News and Books is an independent bookstore at Pullman Square in Huntington, West Virginia that features hundreds upon hundreds of magazine subscriptions, books, and local flare. The success of Pullman Square, which replaced a two square-block parking lot, has sparked a revitalization in downtown.

Two Projects Show It's Not a One-Horse Town Notes -- 1. Two development projects are projected to generate more buzz year-round. 2. Downtown Louisville has been undergoing a transformation in recent years, adding thousands of residential units and opening attractions such as the Muhammad Ali Center. Churchill Downs has also kept up with the times, adding suites that have annual lease rates of $185,000. 3. Two new projects include a 'boldly designed' $465 million mixed-use project that will include a contemporary-art museum, hotels and condos. An arena that will be used by UofL is also moving ahead. 4. The two projects above come as a time when Louisville is transforming from a manufacturing economy to one based on knowledge. It is home to Humana Inc. and Yum! Brands. Non-farm growth increased 1.9% in February, above the national 1.5%. 5. UPS also stated it would invest $1 billion to expand its Worldport air hub at Louisville International Airport.

Groundbreaking set Sept. 27 for Museum Plaza tower Key -- 1. Groundbreaking for the 703-ft. Museum Plaza's construction will be September 27. 2. It will be completed in 2010. 3. Features include, 3a. 98 luxury condos 3b. 117 studio loft condos 3c. 270,400 sq. ft. of offices on 13 floors. 3d. 250-room Westin Hotel that has a ballroom, fitness center, spa, restaurant and bar/lounge 3e. 140,000 sq. ft. public plaza 3f. 20,000 sq. ft. of restaurants and shops 3g. 36,500 sq. ft. of studios for the U of L fine-arts program, a glass shop, and fine arts gallery 3h. 40,000 sq. ft. of contemporary art space 3i. 800-space parking garage 4. Over three years of construction, there will be ~560 workers on-site. 5. A 'string of shops' will be constructed behind the three facades that were saved at 615-621 W. Main Street -- providing an entryway over the floodwall into Museum Plaza. Article information: "Groundbreaking set Sept. 27 for Museum Plaza tower, By Sheldon S. Shafer, The Courier-Journal, Friday, April 20, 2007"

I thought I had a thread on the 21c Museum Hotel somewhere, but can't find it via search. Museum hotel idea to expand Key -- 1. The Museum hotel idea is expanding, with 15 more planned. 2. When the 21c Museum Hotel opened in the spring of 2006 in downtown Louisville, there was uncertainty as to how the guests would react to the lobby, hallways and restrooms resembling a contemporary art gallery. 3. The room's rates average a little less than $200/night; the average downtown rate is $103/night. 3a. On weekends, local residents fill more than half of the 91 rooms. 3b. The occupancy rate is ~72%; the average downtown occupancy rate is 56%. 4. The new 21C Museum Hotels will cost about $30 million each and include a restaurant that is modeled after Proof on Main. Article information: "Museum hotel idea to expand, By Alex Davis, The Courier-Journal, Monday, April 16, 2007"

Blooming blocks on Main Includes map of all the new developments. Key -- 1. Main Street has numerous neglected structures -- visible from the 'faded ironwork facades, boarded-up windows, crumbling buildings'. 2. A $450 multipurpose arena complex (at 2nd and Main) and a $50 million retail/office 'sports-anchored' complex (101-119 W. Main) will set the stage for a larger revitalization for a part of Main that was home to the city's whiskey businesses. 2a. More specifically, the section of Main between the Louisville Slugger Field and the proposed arena. 3. This is a trend already becoming reality -- with the $27 million Fleur-de-lis project and the $12 million Preston Pointe condominium complexes -- nearing completion. 4. Two other buildings considered prime for new development... 4a. Seven-story Arctic Ice building at 217 E. Main is under contract -- according to Walter Wagner Jr. Company who is marketing the building. 4b. The five-story former warehouse at 231 E. Main on the north side of Main is for sale. 4c. A pub at 123 W. Main will open in March 2008. It was formerly the home of Schoch Heating Supply Co. The arena announcement boosted the price of the property from $136,000 in 2004 to $600,000 in 2007. A banquet facility will be on the second floor. Other uses may include a sports bar accessible from Washington Street -- considered as a promenade leading to the new arena. 5. At 110 W. Main, the former Belknap Garage building is a planned mixed-use retail/restaurant site. Article information: "Blooming blocks on Main, By Marcus Green, The Courier-Journal, Monday, April 9, 2007"

^ Follow up. Fourth St. landmark may become a hotel Key -- 1. Purchased for ~$10 million. 2. It will take ~1 year to renovate it into an Embassy Suits that will cost $15-$20 million. 3. A fitness center, offices and retail are being considered as part of the project. 4. For much of the 20th century, it was home to The Stewart Dry Goods Co. department store. Article information: "Fourth St. landmark may become a hotel, By Alex Davis, The Courier-Journal, Tuesday, April 3, 2007"

Developer eyes Hilliard Lyons Center for hotel Key -- 1. A Florida businessman plans to buy the former Hilliard Lyons Center at 501 S. 4th Street. (Bottom right bldg.?) 2. Renovations for the 250-room Embassy Suites should begin soon and last about a year. The estimated cost of the project, including the purchase of the property, is between $30 and $34 million. 3. The current owners, PNC Financial Services Group, asked $9.95 million for the 97-year-old building. The purchase price is less than the asking price. Article information: "Developer eyes Hilliard Lyons Center for hotel, By Alex Davis, The Courier-Journal, Monday, April 2, 2007"

Wahoo! From the article -- "Museum plaza will get built." -- Craig Greenberg, a member of the development team.

Museum Plaza bill OK'd by House HB 549 passed by a 79-13 vote that would allow the state to provide funding for 1/4 of the Museum Plaza project. The going is that for every $1 spent from the state, $2-$3 will be returned in benefits. HB 549 now heads to the Senate where it is expected to pass. Article information: "Museum Plaza bill OK'd by House, By Marcus Greenand Joseph Gerth, The Courier-Journal, Friday, March 2, 2007"

Museum Plaza tax plan may face battle in House, Panel advances bill despite opposition Here is the key:

I photograph using... Nikon D70 Nikon N80 Canon AE-1 My lenses include (sadly I don't have more)... 18-70 Nikon DX 28-80 Sigma 70-210 Sigma And a variety of Canon lenses and telephoto converters This spring I should be purchasing a new, higher quality lens. I prefer to do color with my Nikon for the sheer simplicity, and black-and-whites with my film cameras. When I am doing enlargements for others, I typically shoot with color slide film using my Canon AE-1 or my Nikon N80.

Committee approves Museum Plaza bill The bill, to provide funding for work on public infrastructure using some hotel room taxes, was approved today by the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee. This now goes to the House. Article information: "Committee approves Museum Plaza bill, By Marcus Green, The Courier-Journal, Tuesday, February 27, 2007"