The holiday season is upon us again. In the spirit of togetherness, we’ve put together a list of 14 things that we want for the city some more urgently than others, but all important nonetheless.
For marijuana to be FULLY legalized
We’re with you all on this. We saw your many comments and DMs when it became public news that Gov. Beshear would make medical marijuana sort of legal in Kentucky under very specific and limited circumstances. We agree with you: that’s not enough. #LegalizeIt for a stronger economy and to help end the overcrowding of local prisons.
Realistically, though, we’ll settle for decriminalization.
Photo via Adobe StockFor venues to stop closing
RIP Diamond. RIP Gold Bar. RIP Wiggle Room. RIP Flamingo Lounge. Almost-RIP Whirling Tiger. Just in the last year alone, we’ve lost these venues (and more), and we’re tired of it. In 2023, let’s all make sure we support local performance spaces, because “XYZ Venue Announces Upcoming Closure” is a headline we’re tired of writing.
Photo by Carolyn BrownFor Forecastle to come back
It was only a few weeks ago that Forecastle announced it’d be “taking a pause” for 2023. No matter what happens, we just hope that the hiatus only lasts a year — the two years we waited during the pandemic took long enough.
Photo by Kathryn Harrington Kathryn HarringtonAn IKEA
Swedish meatballs, assemble-your-own furniture, plush sharks — what’s not to love? Here’s what: the fact that we don’t have one. To IKEA, we say: Vi vill ha en butik i Louisville.
Photo via IKEA NewsroomA train line, subway, or other light rail
We know we’ll never have anything like the robust train system that, say, NYC or London or Chicago can brag about, but it’s embarrassing that other cities our size already have these and we don’t.
Photo of the NYC subway via Jenna Day on UnsplashFor Bardstown Road to get a parking garage
We know it’s controversial; we know a lot of people in the Highlands are opposed to the idea. Their concerns are understandable… buuuuut you can’t deny that it’d be convenient to have a spot to park that isn’t what little street space is available, especially on a Friday or Saturday night. Then again, if we had a light rail system, we could avoid this problem altogether….
Photo via Flickr / Paul SablemanFor the next mayor to have a solid vision
We don’t know what Mayor-elect Craig Greenberg’s term in office will look like. No matter what, we hope that the criticisms and skepticism he faced during campaign season — that he’ll be Fischer 2.0, for example — do not come to fruition.
Photo by Carolyn BrownMore late-night dining
There are some local bars and restaurants (like Losers 812, pictured here, for example) that offer late-late hours – like, for-real after-midnight dining. We wish those hours were more common at other local venues.
Photo by Carolyn BrownFor Louisville to fix potholes faster
If you report a pothole in Louisville today, here are some things that will happen before it gets fixed: Mitch McConnell will leave office, Rand Paul will leave office, Bardstown Road will get a parking garage, and Hometown Rising will come back.
Photo by Carolyn BrownMore airport destinations
We have an “international” airport because of UPS, not because Louisville has a ton of flights abroad every day. But what if we did? What if it were possible to go straight from Louisville to London or Paris without having to drive or fly through Cincy or Atlanta first?
Photo via flylouisville/InstagramMore street performers
One of the fun things about big outdoor festivals in Louisville is seeing street performers — musicians, puppeteers, artists and more. Our wish: to see them more often, even when it’s not for a special occasion!
Photo by Carolyn Brown Carolyn Brown • cbrown@leoweekly.com • @cebrownphotoFor the Sherman Minton construction to be finished (for real)
Perhaps there will come a day when the Sherman Minton Bridge is not closed or did not just announce an upcoming closure or is not about to do so. Today is not that day. Nor is tomorrow.
Photo via cmh2315fl/Flickr under Creative Commons BY-NC 2.0An NBA team
Louisville is obviously a basketball city — we used to have an ABA team, in fact — and the momentum for the Cards is incredible. We already have a venue that’s bigger than most NBA arenas and seats thousands of fans. So why not expand our basketball foothold (and city revenue) by starting an NBA team?
Kentucky Colonels logo via SportsLogos.netBetter drivers
Actually, this one’s too unrealistic. Better just wait on that NBA team instead.
Photo via Adobe Stock
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