SoBro Task Force

First Meeting:

The first meeting of the SoBro Task Force was held on November 9, 2004. This meeting was organizational and lasted about an hour.

Items covered:

Task Force Meetings:

A series of (6) three-hour meetings are anticipated. Each meeting will cover an agreed upon scope of work.

Conceptual Model Block Design:

It was anticipated that a sample block of the SoBro area would be chosen for a conceptual design that would serve as a model for the entire SoBro area. There was significant disagreement with this concept because of the diversity of the SoBro area. This item is being rethought.

Design Guidelines:

A series of site and architectural design guidelines covering such items as infill building design, materials and massing in conjunction with site, streetscape and public open space recommendations.

Market Analysis:

Zimmerman-Volk, Associates will perform a housing market analysis of the Sobro area. No commercial or retail analysis is anticipated.

Development Strategy:

This is the report section that will summarize the goals, thinking and strategies identified by the Task Force members and planning consultants.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

The next meeting is planned for December 14, 2004, from 11:45 AM to 2:45 PM.

How did SoBro come to be?

Following WWII, it was assumed that downtown Louisville would continue to grow in a pattern similar to what we recognize as the downtown area. The suburbs as we know them today didn't exist. The life of the city was in the downtown core. To facilitate downtown growth, the area south of Broadway was rezoned to allow for high-rise buildings and large commercial centers. However, as we all recognize, the city grew in a different fashion and by the mid eighties, SoBro and the areas south were in deep decline.

In the Eighties, Old Louisville, that area roughly south of Kentucky Street, began to revitalize itself and is now undergoing a rapid resurgence. Property values are rising rapidly, the historic houses are being restored and new businesses are opening in the area. Through the efforts of many of its residents and some forward looking public officials, Old Louisville recently completed a planning process that culminated in an area wide rezoning to a Traditional Neighborhood Zoning District, a form of zoning that is unknown anywhere else in the state. For the first time in Jefferson County, the city has recognized that Urban Neighborhoods do exist and that they do not want to look like or act like suburban neighborhoods.

At the same time Old Louisville was completing its plan, the city completed a new Downtown Plan to direct the revitalization of the downtown area. Neither plan included the area from Broadway to Kentucky. But maybe that is for the best. SoBro is not really a part of either area, and has the distinct opportunity to emerge as something new and different.

Why Do We Need A Plan For SoBro?

SoBro has been called many things in the past, but most of them equate to an urban waste land. While significant buildings and institutions exist within the area, the dominate features are the empty parking lots, most of them the result of auto dealerships that have long abandon the area for the suburbs. But recent developments in the housing market such as the redevelopment of Old Louisville, the growing number of housing units in the downtown area, and a significant increase in people wanting an urban life style, are making the SoBro area a candidate for redevelopment.

So why do we need a plan? SoBro is uniquely poised close enough to the downtown to provide an urban life style at a lower price than that available downtown. SoBro has the opportunity to provide thousands of living units for people and families with substantial disposable income. SoBro also has the ability to provide the commercial and entertainment services the surrounding neighborhoods are needing. However, SoBro is currently a conglomeration of zoning types from single family to industrial. What is lacking is a comprehensive plan, and the zoning to back it up, that gives developers the confidence to invest in the area.

Where does SoBBA come into the picture?

SoBBA has been working with community members and the new Metro Government to begin a process that will culminate in a plan for the SoBro area along the lines of the recently completed plan for Old Louisville. The first step was to convince the city that a plan was needed. We have cleared that hurdle, but now we face a slightly higher hurdle … how to pay for it. Depending on information needed and the consultants required, the planning process might cost from $30,000 to $100,000. NEWS FLASH … The city doesn't have that kind of money. They are offering us $15,000 if we can match the funds. We are on the way to accomplishing that, but need all the help we can get.

Thanks to the University of Louisville School of Urban and Public Affairs, in cooperation with SoBBA and a number of their student, much of the hard data about the SoBRO area has already been collected. We now know the physical condition of every property in SoBRO, complete with photographs, the use of each piece of property, the zoning, and the owner of record. All of this information is accessible through a data base of addresses. In addition, we have the physical condition of the sidewalks, trees, and street lighting adjacent to each piece of property. That is a large amount of the work required to begin the planning process.

Apparently the city is impressed with our efforts. They are telling us the planning process will take place.

What's in it for you?

What's in it for you? That is very much up to you. If you own a business or property in SoBro, things around you will be changing over the next few years. Expect more housing, probably along the lines of the SoHo Project at Fifth & Breckinridge. Expect more mixed use buildings that will house commercial space on the first floor with offices and / or residential space above. Buildings will be built to the front property lines with requirements that will enhance pedestrian activity along the street and place parking lots in the rear. In short, look for a cross between Downtown and Old Louisville.

How is this up to you?

First: The planning process will not take place behind closed doors, but in the open. You will have the opportunity to be a part by attending the planning sessions.

Second: You can use your Business Association as your conduit. SoBBA is a major player in this process and will express the views of our membership. This page will give our members the opportunity to express their views or you can attend SoBBA meetings an express your views there.

Third: This page will keep you informed on the planning process.

Fourth: Even if you don't want to participate in the process or really don't have comments, you can understand what the future will bring and plan accordingly.

Questions?

Come to the meetings (see meeting schedule) or e-mail your question. All questions, answers and comments will be posted on a SoBro Plan Discussion page.