Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg is calling on residents, workers, and visitors to help define the future of the city’s center. On Tuesday, May 13, the public is invited to an open house to study and provide input on first design concepts targeted at improving the safety and accessibility of roadways in Downtown Louisville and Nulu.
Construction has already begun along River Road and the Louisville Loop between 3rd and 7th streets to create “a park-like setting” under I-64 and the Belvedere, which Greenberg says will “serve as a critical connection between the currently developed Waterfront Park and its westward expansion” in a news release on Monday.
“By transforming this portion of River Road, we’re not just enhancing pavement. We’re building pathways between neighborhoods, creating avenues for all modes of travel and creating a safer, more connected community for generations to come,” said Jennifer Caummisar-Kern, director of Public Works. “Whether walking, biking, driving or riding—this is not just about improving transportation; we’re creating a more beautiful and inviting space for everyone to enjoy.”
Nearly $2.2 million will be spent on the project, and is expected to be completed by late September this year.
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As for NuLu and the rest of Downtown Louisville, the open house, sponsored at the Louisville Free Public Library’s Main Library (301 York St.), will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with a formal presentation commencing at 6 p.m. tomorrow. Attendees will hear from globally acclaimed walkability expert Jeff Speck, of Speck Dempsey, with representatives from the planning consulting teams Stantec and Taylor Seifker Williams.
The Downtown Street Network Plan is a model for a safer, more walkable urban environment. It focuses on low-cost, implementable measures that attempt to reduce car speeds, boost pedestrian safety, and create a more dynamic public environment. The draft designs submitted for evaluation encompass a vast area—from the Ohio River to Broadway and between Baxter and 10th streets—and were shaped by data, earlier planning work, and community interaction.
“This initiative isn’t just about infrastructure – it’s about continuing the positive momentum we have in Louisville and creating spaces that are welcoming and help make our city even safer, stronger and healthier,” said Mayor Greenberg. “We encourage everyone to come together to review these plans and provide feedback to ensure the project reflects a collective vision and addresses the needs of those who work, live in and visit the vibrant heart of our city.”
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One of the key points of the strategy is the conversion of high-speed, one-way routes back to two-way traffic. Speck, who has long championed this shift in Louisville, stressed the practical benefits seen elsewhere in the city.
“Downtown Louisville has so much going for it right now and it can continue that positive trajectory by taking a holistic look at the high-speed nature of its streets, especially its one-way streets. For more than a decade, I’ve been hoping for the opportunity to help reorganize this system back to its original two-way traffic,” said Speck. “South of Downtown Louisville, we’ve already seen that the restoration of two-way traffic to Brooks and First streets has reduced speeding, car crashes and even crime. A 48% reduction in crashes sounds like magic, but it’s science. The same science of street design will help Downtown Louisville thrive. We are so excited to share these plans Tuesday night.”
In addition to the presentation, the open house will feature interactive displays and instructional workshops, providing participants a chance to examine the plan’s aims and methods in greater depth and give input directly to project consultants.
This article appears in May 9-22, 2025.