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The problem with downtown Louisville getting more retail is there are great streetcar suburbs east of downtown that get most of the affluent urban population. Cities without such good urban options outside of downtown have everything downtown our of necessity. That's the case in many sunbelt cities with few urban neighborhoods like Memphis, Nashville, Houston, etc.
Not only that, but now you have New Albany, Jeffersonville, Old Louisville, etc etc. Just too many options. But downtown proper, the CBD is getting there and really booming with construction and development. With the exception of the SW quadrant of dt, there is hardly a block (that is not fully developed like a skyscraper, etc) without construction, rehab, or a proposal for one or the other.
The problem with downtown Louisville getting more retail is there are great streetcar suburbs east of downtown that get most of the affluent urban population. Cities without such good urban options outside of downtown have everything downtown our of necessity. That's the case in many sunbelt cities with few urban neighborhoods like Memphis, Nashville, Houston, etc.
That wasn't particularly the case with Nashville because even without many urban neighborhoods surrounding downtown, the city was able to open a mall downtown. It, of course, failed because there wasn't the population or incomes to support it and has since been replaced with bars and restaurants. Another reason for the lack of retail had to do with Nashville opening several suburban malls back in the day. With that many malls and strict zoning not allowing downtown residential construction, it was doomed from the beginning. Today that has changed for the most part, the city still has a ways to go at creating a critical mass, but the major exception unlike the other cities is that tourism is a major reason why the retail and restaurants are moving in. The tourists and investors/transplants heavily subsidize our tax base.
That wasn't particularly the case with Nashville because even without many urban neighborhoods surrounding downtown, the city was able to open a mall downtown. It, of course, failed because there wasn't the population or incomes to support it and has since been replaced with bars and restaurants. Another reason for the lack of retail had to do with Nashville opening several suburban malls back in the day. With that many malls and strict zoning not allowing downtown residential construction, it was doomed from the beginning. Today that has changed for the most part, the city still has a ways to go at creating a critical mass, but the major exception unlike the other cities is that tourism is a major reason why the retail and restaurants are moving in. The tourists and investors/transplants heavily subsidize our tax base.
Yes, Louisville has the same thing going on, but is probably 2 decades behind Nashville in developing the tourism brand. But just as Nashville is country and music city, Louisville is finally developing an identity as bourbon city, and it is paying off BIG TIME as bourbon is just so hot right now nationally, and even internationally. Ten years ago, youd never see a single Japanese tourist in Louisville. Now there are busloads of them in the last couple years as I walk around downtown
Yes, Louisville has the same thing going on, but is probably 2 decades behind Nashville in developing the tourism brand. But just as Nashville is country and music city, Louisville is finally developing an identity as bourbon city, and it is paying off BIG TIME as bourbon is just so hot right now nationally, and even internationally. Ten years ago, youd never see a single Japanese tourist in Louisville. Now there are busloads of them in the last couple years as I walk around downtown
I see that! I think the state is trying to capitalize on that as well. I see several "come visit Kentucky" magazines in our grocery stores and book stores here. Hell they are even advertising it on the television and radio. But y'all know y'all were wrong for this:
All are good. Nashville is booming, but i think indy and KC are little more complete but they a growing slowly. Indy is a cut above all though. Nashville has the best 5 to 10 year outlook of them all. This is the south next great city. Louisville is moving alone at a more balanced rate. All are great family cities.
That wasn't particularly the case with Nashville because even without many urban neighborhoods surrounding downtown, the city was able to open a mall downtown. It, of course, failed because there wasn't the population or incomes to support it and has since been replaced with bars and restaurants.
Location: New Albany, Indiana (Greater Louisville)
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What hurts Louisville relative to other cities is poor leadership and being in a political backwater. Kentucky is one of the only states that has a ban on Local Option Sales Taxes. While other cities are improving transit or building bike paths with such funding Louisville depends on its richest citizens donating money for projects. Local leadership is also not great, exemplified by things like loosing Six Flags and letting the theme park set closed for 5 years, building a new arena with a contract that forbids an NBA team from playing in it, etc.
Louisville has the benefit of having a county LGBT protection. Didn't TN make local ordinances illegal or something? Pretty sure I read that. Obviously there are more factors, but I think that's one advantage Louisville has.
Kansas City is far and away the better of these 4 cities.
I don't consider Louisville even a peer to KC/Indy/Nash.
Kansas City has the most downtown residents, a new streetcar system opening in April and 4 solid miles of dense urban development from the river to the Plaza. There are currently 6 hotels under construction and 3 more rehabs into hotels in downtown alone. There is simply much, much more to do in KC than in the other cities.
Indy has a fine small downtown, but once outside of downtown there simply is no appeal.
You can see downtown Indy in one day and you're ready to leave.
Nashville is growing but outside of the country music thing why would anyone want to visit?
KC actually has large, urban neighborhoods that you can spend an entire day, 2 or 3 in and not get bored.
The City Market, Downtown, Crossroads Art District, Crown Center, Jazz District, Westport and the Plaza are all major urban neighborhood destinations. Louisville, Indy and Nashville has nothing even close. (And people from Indy if you say "Broad Ripple" I hope your dumb face falls off because only people in Indy could think that Broad Ripple is a thing).
I guess we cant post photos here but anyone that does a little research can easily see that KC is a much bigger, much denser urban city than Indy and Nash (Louisville is basically a peer of Omaha).
Best shopping - KC has Nordstroms, Sak, IKEA...blah, blah
Better homes - KC has every architectural style and material
Best job market/pay - too close to call
Lowest cost of living - All 4 cities have a low cost of living, Nash seems to be going up faster tho
Nightlife - KC has more jazz, blues and R&B music clubs, Nash has country
A city where there's always something to do individually or as a family - KC has Crown Center, legoLand and the Plaza
Sports - KC wins easily, MLB Baseball, NFL Football, MLS Soccor and NASCAR
Different food choices to try - KC has 6 James Beard Restaurant winners in the Crossroads District alone!
Lowest crime rate - KC is easily the worst of the 3, just stay away from the East Side or you will die.
I spit in my mouth when you mentioned better jazz. In the 1930s Kansas City has a great jazz venue but now it's average at best. Both Indianapolis and Nashville have significantly better jazz venues.
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