Louisville Metro D1: Weekly News Report

D. Infrastructure, Environment & Utilities

1. Public Works: Road Work, Paving, and Closures in District 1
   Louisville Metro Public Works has several paving projects listed for District 1, including stretches of Maravian Drive, Hunters Chase Lane, Hunters Creek Boulevard, Christian Ridge Court, Jennifer Valley Way, and Hackel Drive.46
   A significant ongoing project impacting District 1 is the Louisville Water Company’s lead service line replacement on S. 23rd Street between Algonquin Parkway and Vorster Avenue. The road closure for this work, originally scheduled to end May 10, was extended to May 24, 2025, meaning it was active throughout the review week.4
   Long-term infrastructure projects with major implications for District 1 include the Broadway Corridor Project, which aims to retrofit Broadway from Shawnee Park to Baxter Avenue with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a two-way cycle track, and pedestrian safety improvements, with construction anticipated by 2028.48 Additionally, plans are being considered to convert sections of Muhammad Ali Boulevard and Chestnut Street/River Park Drive to two-way traffic.48 River Park Drive is a key corridor within District 1. These projects indicate a sustained focus on both immediate repairs and future modernization of infrastructure in the district.
2. KYTC Road Projects Affecting District 1
   The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 5 “ROADSHOW” report for the week of May 11, 2025, indicated that general maintenance activities such as pothole patching and sweeping might occur on major interstates within Louisville Metro during non-peak hours.49 However, this advisory did not list any specific new projects or lane closures on state-maintained routes within District 1 neighborhoods for the review week.49 Residents should continue to monitor weekly KYTC updates for potential impacts on routes like Dixie Highway or sections of Broadway and Market Street.
3. Bakelite Synthetics Permit Renewal (6200 Camp Ground Road) & Public Comment Period Opening (May 17)
   The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (APCD) announced its proposal to renew the operating permit for Bakelite Synthetics, a formaldehyde and phenolic resin manufacturer located at 6200 Camp Ground Road.50 The APCD stated that this permit renewal is not expected to result in an increase in pollution.50 The facility’s last notice of violation for unplanned excess emissions was in 2019 and has since been resolved.50
   A 60-day public comment period for this permit renewal commenced on Saturday, May 17, 2025, and will conclude on July 16, 2025.50 Drafts of the permit and a summary are available on the APCD website, by contacting Matt King at (502) 574-6000, or by visiting the APCD office. Written comments can be submitted via an online form on the APCD website or directly at the APCD office.50
   This permit renewal is of particular relevance to District 1 due to a previous chemical spill at the Bakelite Synthetics plant which directly affected the Riverside Gardens neighborhood, an area within District 1.51 That incident prompted communication from Councilwoman Hawkins’ office and an advisory for residents within a half-mile to avoid contact with natural streams due to an “acrostic” chemical soluble in water, though levels were deemed below hazardous for human exposure.51 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) subsequently cleared the affected ditch line.51 Given this history, heightened community awareness and participation in the current public comment period are anticipated.
4. Updates from Louisville Water Company, MSD, LG\&E, Norfolk Southern relevant to District 1

• Louisville Water Company (LWC): Beyond the ongoing S. 23rd Street lead service line replacement in District 1 4, LWC announced on May 13 that its Oak Street Project road had reopened for the summer (specific location relative to D1 not detailed).52 General news included updates on water main breaks (May 15) and continued investment in infrastructure along River Road for a new residual line (May 12).52
• Louisville MSD (Metropolitan Sewer District): In early May, MSD reported that sewer overflows had reduced following a period without significant rain, a recurring concern for the city’s combined sewer system.4 MSD also continued its “clAIRity” community meetings focused on odor management, which began in late April.54 On May 15, Metro Council approved a resolution (R-040-25) accepting four scenic-conservation easements for MSD along the South Fork of Beargrass Creek.9
• LG\&E: No specific service disruptions or project updates for District 1 were noted in the provided information for the week of May 11-17.55 A general announcement on May 15 detailed ongoing system investments aimed at enhancing reliability against severe weather.57
• Norfolk Southern Railroad: Councilwoman Hawkins’ May 1 newsletter had indicated several District 1 railroad crossings (Woodland Ave, Catalpa St., Wilson St., 25th St.) were scheduled for closure starting May 5 for an unspecified duration; these could have extended into or concluded during the review week.4 Separately, a service alert noted a brief, temporary ingate outage at the Landers Intermodal facility (location relative to Louisville and direct D1 impact not specified) on Saturday, May 17, for electrical maintenance.58 The various activities of these utility and infrastructure entities underscore the complex operational landscape affecting District 1 residents, from water line replacements and sewer management to power grid resilience and rail maintenance.

1. Development Project Updates
   Several significant development projects in or impacting West Louisville are progressing:

• The Eclipse at Russell (610 S 29th St): Construction continues on this 280-unit affordable housing community in the Russell neighborhood, with an anticipated opening in Winter 2025. Adjacent to this development, Bezos Academy plans to open a tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschool, also expected in 2025.60
• Gateway on Broadway (Park Hill Industrial Corridor): This redevelopment project by Housing Partnership, Inc. (HPI) is transforming the former St. Augustine’s Church and National Candy Company site into a senior apartment community with 116 units and a resource center. The project was anticipated to conclude in late 2024 and should be nearing completion or recently completed.60
• Churchill Downs West End Investment: A previously announced commitment from Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) includes a $1 million pledge to the West End Opportunity Partnership (WEOP). This initiative is designed to fund economic development and quality-of-life improvements across nine West End neighborhoods, including the District 1 areas of Shawnee and Portland. The investment is tied to a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement ensuring that 80% of new tax revenue generated in these neighborhoods over the next 20 years will be reinvested in the West End.64 These projects collectively point to a substantial, multi-faceted effort to address housing needs and stimulate economic activity in West Louisville and District 1.

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