Louisville is booming... What do we need next? (Frankfort, Bardstown: how much, theatres)

[louroclou]

Yesterday I went to the "Buy Local First" discussion at Rainbow Blossom. There was a presentation by Stacy Mitchell, author of Big-Box Swindle, followed by a panel discussion and Q & A with Mitchell, John Timmons of EarX-tacy, John Yarmouth, and DeVone Hunt of Greater Louisville Inc. The article in this morning's CJ was actually a pretty good summary.

The surprisingly large turnout and the message of Mitchell and the panelists really energized me. As I think about what we have discussed here, I am driven more and more to stress this growing feeling: Louisville is on the cusp of morphing into something new. Downtown development changes a lot of dynamics - concentrations of populations, political centers, business attitudes and shopping habits. At the discussion yesterday people peppered remarks with the phrase "Anytown USA" (not in reference to Louisville, but as the doom of towns infected by Big Boxes and national chains). It is clear it is still early enough to make a decision: do we, in our development, give in to the temptation to lure all the big names in - and thus become nameless - or do we foster, encourage, assist the independent? There is the 'little brother' syndrome we suffer from that makes us want what the big guys have. We are not validated without a Nordstrom or an Urban Outfitters. I often have these feelings myself. But isn't it possible to regulate those incursions, and boost our locals? Mitchell's book explains the many ways in which independents help a local community and the big guys siphon and hurt.

I'm often reminded of what I call the "Phoenix Effect." Those as old as I am may remember a time when Phoenix's growth was due to its arid, pollen-free air. The first Phoenix boomers went there for their health... and then planted lawns and flowers and trees... and made Phoenix into non-Phoenix, into Anytown.

If we don't nurture our "Louisvilleness" - and that's a truly soulful thing - we run the risk of undermining why we want to be here in the first place - and why we want others to be with us.

[louroclou]

Big-Box Swindle

[louroclou]

The last question in the Q and A was from a gentleman claiming the 'customer' had not really been addressed. His implication was that no matter how you hype the local, the customer can't be drawn away from his big-box, his chain.

I wanted to answer him, but the forum was ended. I talked afterwards about this to John Timmons of EarX-tacy. That store, one I go to often, is the epitome of why a 'Keep Louisville Weird' campaign can work. There are two things about Louisville that foster independent business: Every business transaction here is a social transaction and the people of the city have a deep sense of place. When we first moved back here, my wife would go off to get something and not come back for ages... "The clerk and I got into a conversation, and she told me..." Louisvillians love to talk, connect, find connections ('Where did you go to high school?' just means, 'let's see if there's a connection)... Local businesses foster those connections, and unless the drive towards uniformity overcomes that drive, we'll support the local, little guys.

And a sense of place, as opposed to parochialism, should be the root of cosmopolitanism.

[hubba]

I'm looking to find out further info about a new grocery store and other growth downtown on Main St as well as Market. Can anyone help me with this?

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by hubba

I'm looking to find out further info about a new grocery store and other growth downtown on Main St as well as Market. Can anyone help me with this?

There are several small grocery stores already open downtown, and one opening in the theatre district near the Palace:

Market on Market (http://www.marketonmarket.com/ - broken link)

The Bodega at Felice (http://thebodegaatfelice.com/ - broken link)

There is also a Kroger downtown on second street, between downtown and Old Louisville, but it is kind of dated and known as "ghetto Kroger" colloquially because it is so old and small. Still, it has everything you need.

Downtown is just booming. View the Louisville develoment sticky.

Also this site and its forumers are EXCELLENT for keeping up with urban development.

They have catalogued most development for the last two years:

Louisville/So Indiana Development News IV - SkyscraperCity

[bw87a]

I believe Louisville needs to do a better job at promoting regionalism if it wants to progress through the coming years. Too much of Louisville's growth is concentrated on the east side.

If you look at areas such as Dallas/Ft. Worth or even a smaller market like Oklahoma City, growth is occurring at a steady pace on almost all sides of the city. The south(west) side(s) of Louisville is/are growing at a stagnant rate.

Louisville needs to promote a sense of regionalism and renew its commitment to these blighted areas. The more neglect these areas receive, the greater despair for the future. To start, the city could possibly do a better job at attracting more businesses to these areas. There isn't even a nice bookstore in the area.

I also believe that a South end bridge it very much needed in this area. This would further connect the region to Harrison County. It would allow for a smoother traffic transition down Cane Run Road and allow some residents to get to Indiana faster. With the casino across the river, development would sure explode with a nearby bridge. Southwest Jefferson County is virtually trapped and has nowhere to go without a bridge. Its growth will probably remain stagnant until something is done to enhance the quality of life in this area.

Business parks could also be geared towards higher end jobs. This could help retain some higher-paid citizens to the area. There are some very nice neighborhoods in Southwest Louisville and with more higher paying jobs, more development and money is sure to be spent in the area.

Regionalism and working together is a key for healthy future development.

[louroclou]

It's been a while since we have gotten much action here. Let me unch ('oonch'?) this back to the first page...
bw87a is right: we need to be thinking about all of Louisville and making sure that the growth we are seeing seeps into the West and South Ends ( I grew up in the South End, spitting distance from Iroquois Park. Most weekends my friend Ronnie and I would pack a lunch and hike the park, looking for fossils and adventure. I was 9, 10, 11 years old - I'd say bye to Mom about 10 in the morning and not come home till the sun was setting. It was a beautiful and safe park).

My Mama and Aunt Tenny lived on Taylor Blvd. I have nothing but fond memories of that house. I went to first grade at Hazelwood when it was first built. I was in the first 6th grade at what was then Rubado Elementary on Southern Parkway...


Ahh... things have changed. Excuse me my revery. I guess my point is that that area and the West End are potentially lovely places that need the boost my current neighborhood - and all of downtown, Old Louisville, and the East End are getting (I live in St Matthews. At the age of 11 we moved to the Highlands. I was in the first graduating class from the current Atherton).

I would like to see more public discussion of the direction we're going... more of the kind of public forums that happen on-line. I think we need a 'social and aesthetics' squad to make sure our development is balanced and fair and... beautiful. We need more talk about and more public say over decisions to change and destroy old buildings, over the kind of architecture we want, over who benefits, over where things grow. Louisvillians love to talk. We need more formal and informal -and empowered - venues for that talk.

[louroclou]

Perhaps we should extend my original question to include " What do we need to save?" - "save" as in "rescue" and "save" as in "keep."

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by louroclou

Perhaps we should extend my original question to include " What do we need to save?" - "save" as in "rescue" and "save" as in "keep."

That's what I am all for myself... preserving tradition.

[frankmaraschino]

Funding the libraries adequately would be a good start.