Louisville, Kentucky Development around Lynn Family Stadium is officially poised to commence after years of delays. Tuesday authorities revealed plans for Butchertown Apartments, a mixed-use development just east of the stadium.
Along with dedicated shop space on the first floor, the building plans 200 elegant apartment units with 128 one-bedroom and 72 two-bedroom flats. Residents will have access to amenities such as a clubhouse, on-site parking, and extra features.
Described as an “upscale” facility, the project will locate immediately south of Lynn Family Stadium and seeks to be a major focal point of a much desired sports-centered region. Comprising three acres, the site design calls for roughly 8,000 square feet of first-floor retail space. Residents can also expect facilities including a pool, grills, and fire pits; a below-ground parking structure will be offered.
After lagging behind schedule when the stadium opened in 2020, the construction is the first significant step toward realizing the original ambition for the stadium district. Originally including hotels, office space, retail, and restaurants, the area was part of a 30-acre development proposal close to Waterfront Park However, the COVID-19 epidemic halted their plans, postponing the expected increase and tax income.
“We’re excited to reveal plans for the first phase of development surrounding Lynn Family Stadium,” said Shane Uttich, chair of Soccer Holdings’ stadium district development committee. “Denton Floyd put together eye-catching designs that will kick off a diverse, mixed-use development. In turn, we look forward to continuing our work with city officials toward making the stadium and its amenities even more of a destination for Louisville.”
When does construction begin?
Construction could begin as early as next spring, with the project serving as the spark for future phases of development. However, data on the entire cost and estimated rents are not yet available. Clayton Pace, president of Denton Floyd’s development business, expressed confidence in the project’s progress.
“When this development is completed, you’re going to have hotels, you’re going to have restaurants, you’re going to have retail, you’re going to have apartments,” Pace said in an interview before the announcement. “And then you can walk over to the walking bridge and be a part of downtown and NuLu all within minutes.”
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Mayor Craig Greenberg noted the project’s relevance in encouraging economic growth and housing in the neighborhood. He verified that a portion of the $100 million in state money provided last year for Louisville projects will be utilized to assist infrastructure improvements for the Butchertown Apartments development, including the public parking garage.
“This announcement brings together two of my administration’s most important priorities, economic development and housing,” Greenberg stated. “Lynn Family Stadium is a crown jewel for our city, and Butchertown is a thriving neighborhood.”
The exact amount of public cash devoted to the project is still being determined.
In 2017, Metro government issued $30.4 million in bonds to acquire and prepare the land for the stadium and surrounding property, with total principle and interest expenditures amounting to $43.7 million through 2039. The development deal requires Soccer Holdings to give $14.5 million to the city by 2040 through lease payments and other ways, with the potential for an extra $10 million in avoided payments if that sum is repaid in 10 years.
However, delays in the district’s development have hurt the planned tax revenue. Early predictions predicted $12.8 million in local property taxes over 20 years beginning in 2020. With only the stadium constructed, however, the city earned just $110,119 in the first three years, falling far short of the $1.2 million planned.
Local business owners have expressed confidence but observed that the delays have been irritating. Jack Mathis, co-owner of Work The Metal on Story Avenue, stated, “We all know things take a long time to get permitted, processed and approved. So we are just trying to be patient and hopefully it will help the whole neighborhood, including our retail store.”
Future phases of the district are still unknown, with Uttich noting that market conditions and meticulous planning will influence the following steps.
“This will be a strong catalyst to support what happens next, and we look forward to this first phase,” Uttich said. “We envision a vibrant new extension of downtown Louisville around Lynn Family Stadium.”
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This article appears in Mar 14-27, 2025.