Co-anchors include Louisville Stoneware, The Kentucky Center and Goodwood Brewing Co.
LOUISVILLE, KY – Mayor Greg Fischer joined state and local officials to break ground on a $28 million arts and cultural district located in the Paristown neighborhood last week. The neighborhood is a wedge-shaped area bounded by Broadway to the north, Barret Avenue to the east, Kentucky Street to the south and an elevated rail line that runs parallel to Swan Street on the west.
The project is co-anchored by Louisville Stoneware, The Kentucky Center and Goodwood Brewing Co., and will bring jobs and a variety of restaurant and entertainment options to the heart of the historic neighborhood. The district will knit together five distinct neighborhoods, including downtown, NuLu, Smoketown, Germantown and the Highlands. Each of these neighborhoods is experiencing planned or ongoing transformative redevelopment, including substantial new residential and commercial projects, public art, workforce development and green infrastructure and neighborhood beautification. Construction on the site is expected to begin in 30 days.
Designed by architecture firm wHY, in collaboration with a host of talented local firms, the new district will feature sustainable development practices, including storm water infiltration in bio-swales and other landscaped features, native plantings, natural building materials and substantial outdoor public space, and will result in a highly walkable, active and diverse district that offers numerous amenities with an authentic character that’s distinctly Louisville.
“Paristown is going to be a great development that will combine shopping, restaurants and a new arts performance space from The Kentucky Center,” said the Mayor. “This project is a great example of a partnership among government, business and non-profits where we come together and everybody wins.”
Louisville Stoneware is planning a $6 million renovation of its buildings, listed on the National Historic Register. This renovation will create nearly a dozen full-time jobs and will support community outreach programs aimed at engaging disadvantaged children in pottery classes.
“Everyone on our team would like to welcome The Kentucky Center to Paristown. We are humbled by the overwhelming support from the neighborhood, along with city and state governments, for this project and look forward to everyone joining us in the Spring of 2019 for the ribbon cutting,” said Steve Smith, member of the Paristown Preservation Trust and CEO of Louisville Stoneware.
The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts is planning to build a new $12 million standing-room, general admission venue for national touring bands, regional arts organizations and collaborative projects, new works and non-traditional performance experiences. This flexible performance space will further its mission to provide unparalleled programming and cultural events to the region. This venue also will give The Kentucky Center the ability to host a wider range of artists, events and performances and will be designed to support a variety of stage and audience configurations. The facility will be adjacent to a public area that will serve as community green space and festival areas complementing The Kentucky Center’s indoor performance venue.
“The addition of the new Paristown venue is the realization of a dream for The Kentucky Center to expand the region’s arts and entertainment options to a wider, diverse audience. We are excited about being a pivotal element of this dynamic rebirth of the historic Paristown neighborhood,” said Kim Baker, President/CEO.
Goodwood Brewing Co. plans to build a $1 million brewery and tap room to focus on its barrel-aged products.
In addition to commercial developments, the city is contributing $2.2 million for streetscape and sidewalk improvements. The project also includes a $6.4 million state tourism sales tax credit approved by the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority and private support through the Paristown Preservation Trust.
