LOUISVILLE – Mayor Greg Fischer joined the Louisville Downtown Partnership (LDP) to celebrate the 10thAnniversary of the Downtown Beautification Program, today. During the past ten years, the Downtown Beautification Program has added more than 350 new trees and 192 spectacular flower pots in the area known as the Central Business District.
“From the 60 tree wells with perennial and annual plant materials to the Mark White Memorial Garden and more, LDP has greatly enhanced the look of our downtown,” Fischer said. “The improvements give residents, visitors and those who work downtown a sense of pride in our city and we congratulate LDP on its 10th anniversary.”
New innovative, cost-effective and environmentally friendly products like Porous Pave have also been introduced to Downtown Louisville as part of the Beautification Program. Porous Pave is made of recycled tires, washed gravel and rubber resin which allows all water, even in heavy rains, to get through to the tree’s root system and out of the combined sewer.
“We are grateful to the many sponsors who have contributed funds to help make Downtown Louisville a more aesthetically pleasing place to work, live and play,” said Rebecca Matheny, LDP’s Executive Director. Over $500,000 of private contributions from more than 30 companies have been made to the program during the past ten years, with additional funding for most of the new trees coming from MSD, in partnership with Greg Heitzman, Executive Director.
The Louisville Metro Tree Advisory Commission and its co-chair, businessman Henry Heuser, Jr., were also dedicated partners in the Downtown reforesting efforts, as was the Glenview Garden Club along with Metro Public Works.
LDP’s Downtown Ambassadors provide the maintenance and care of the flower pots and trees, and water a whopping 2,200 items per month. In addition to new tree plantings, funds have also been used to limb up trees throughout Downtown, which forces growth upward and makes for a higher canopy and more pleasing site lines on urban sidewalks.
LDP is the dynamic organization that drives economic growth in Downtown for the benefit of the entire region, as well as oversees multiple on-street enhancements that help establish Downtown Louisville’s distinctive character and widespread appeal. LDP believes the economic engine of any great city starts with a strong Downtown.
