What's the "vibe" like in Louisville?

[censusdata]

Originally Posted by ServoMiff

That's not a hostile takeover either. UofL didn't want a downtown facility - they wanted an on campus arena and they have the land to do it. For many years, Louisville played basketball games in a friggin Fairgrounds arena and weren't the primary tenant, getting trumped by the farm machinery show, tractor pulls, and a "host" of other events. So, yeah, they wanted to be the primary tenant in a location that wasn't what they wanted simply because the political folks wanted to create faster economic improvement in the Central Business District. That hasn't worked out as well as hoped, hence the payment issues the AA has had.

That being said though, UofL knows that they lose if an NBA franchise moves here, because there will be very little additional corporate money now being spread out instead of solely for them. However, there is incredibly limited support for an NBA franchise in Louisville anyhow, so the fact that the Yum Lease blocks sharing it with an NBA franchise is a bit moot.

It is a fair point that the U of L people never want the arena at 3rd and Main because it cost $100,000,000 more than a site five blocks further south and far more than near campus. I'm fine with U of L being the primary tenant against any non NBA event but it's not smart to spend so much on an arena and then block any pro sports team from even considering it. And U of L sports get revenue if someone goes to a Bon Jovi concert and buys a soft pretzel. I don't think UK gets revenue for non UK events at Rupp.


The Yum has funding issues despite being a smashing attendance success. If there was no funding issues the lease wouldn't need to be looked at. I think U of L people overstate how much they would be hurt by an NBA team. Univ of Memphis outdraws the successful Grizzlies and U of L bball is much bigger than U of M. There would be a small drop in corporate suit money for U of L games, that's it. Most of the people attending NBA games would be non U of L fans and people from Lexington and Cincinnati.

[ServoMiff]

Originally Posted by censusdata

It is a fair point that the U of L people never want the arena at 3rd and Main because it cost $100,000,000 more than a site five blocks further south and far more than near campus. I'm fine with U of L being the primary tenant against any non NBA event but it's not smart to spend so much on an arena and then block any pro sports team from even considering it. And U of L sports get revenue if someone goes to a Bon Jovi concert and buys a soft pretzel. I don't think UK gets revenue for non UK events at Rupp.


The Yum has funding issues despite being a smashing attendance success. If there was no funding issues the lease wouldn't need to be looked at. I think U of L people overstate how much they would be hurt by an NBA team. Univ of Memphis outdraws the successful Grizzlies and U of L bball is much bigger than U of M. There would be a small drop in corporate suit money for U of L games, that's it. Most of the people attending NBA games would be non U of L fans and people from Lexington and Cincinnati.

That entire 2nd paragraph is bunk. The Arena Authority has funding issues. The Yum is only a part of the entire bond payments that the AA has been having trouble paying. The Yum has been expected to produce more than originally designed because the bond payments cover both the arena and the economic district around the arena, which has not grown to the point where they're making significant revenue yet - heck some of the buildings are going up so slowly, one wonders if it's being slowed on purpose. Hence, why everyone is now turning to the university to lighten the deal because they've not been able to create revenue elsewhere, so let's take it from the one tenant who is creating the economic stimulus of the downtown CBD area.

Don't look at attendance for Memphis and Louisville - those things will always be embedded in the culture, it's the revenue you don't see that makes the difference between profit and loss. Louisville basketball profits about $20m per year, tops in the NCAA. Memphis does not report a basketball profit and hasn't shown a profit since at least 2010 (the latest that I have data for). Their athletic department is in the dumpster - quite the opposite of UofL. Some revenue comes from corporate donations, and there will be a portion of those who will pass on UofL season tickets and spending, opting to spend in the NBA instead. Someone has to do it for the NBA team to succeed. If a major sponsor opts out, that's a huge loss to the school's revenue, and something the school has needed to build the athletic brand that they have been working toward, not to mention all the revenue from the incredibly expensive tickets that fans already experience when they want to buy season tickets in the lower level. Imagine the cost to the fans if money from a major sponsor was dropped?

[SeaRover]

Originally Posted by Fwdvision

I may be posting in several different State/City forums on here as I live in Boise, Idaho and am researching to plan a move next year.

Requirements for me - single 53:

LOW COL - especially housing (I want to rent an apartment, save money, pay off bills and be able to buy within 5 years maybe less).

Diversity. I'm very open minded, educated and tolerant, but I am NOT religious. I'm Jewish but not practicing really. Holidays are for family, friends, good times, etc... I vote Democrat but am more left of center than completely left. I don't base my friendships on religion or politics, and can easily NOT have those conversations, such as at work.

Umm how do I say this one - very few bugs/mosquitos. I don't think that's a problem there. I once visited my sister who used to live in Norfolk area of VA - it was August, and the Mosquito situation was intolerable - too much standing water all around that region!

Progressive feel.

Variety of Restaurants, good music scene and culture. Downtown. I'm 53 so I'm not going out all night bar hoppping, but do like to get out.

This one a lot of you may not know on here but I'm doing my own research on this one - I'm a competitive Mountain Bike Racer and Trail Rider, and also have a road bike I like to train on. It seems there are good trails there, from what I've seen. And probably bigger ones within some driving or day trip distance. I'm a bit "spoiled" in that sense here in Boise, because from my place I can ride road on my Mountainbike and be on trail within 10 mins or so and the Boise Front (foothills) has a lot of trails (though a bit lacking in diversity of trails), with trails also up top the local ski mountain and within the state.

What else - I don't want long commute. I could NEVER handle a "Southern California style commute" - I do NOT want to live in my car!

Good healthcare - in terms of access and quality of care. I'm very healthy, but do have some typical issues a 53 year old guy would, and take a few scripts and see doc and specialist periodically.

Airport - ease of traveling out of the city?

Anything else?

Thanks

In regards to mountain biking it will be huge step down from Boise. Louisville has 3 trail systems: Waverly Hills, Cherokee Park, and Turkey Run. They are great for beginner mountain bikers and will provide a quick workout for the day. I personally have to drive 1 or 2 hours to southern Indiana for my mountain bike fix where I can find decent intermediate riding. I don't even consider myself good enough to race. You (being a mtb racer) may find yourself craving a bigger challenge. Also forgot... an hour south of Louisville there is a short downhill course called Fort Duffield.

One thing that really limits the mountain bike riding around Louisville is the rain. It seems that every time it rains, the trails shut down for almost a week. This factor combined with many cold winter days making trail riding unavailable almost half the year. I'd personally look into cities like Chattanooga, Knoxeville, or Asheville. Good luck.