June 6, 2005

Mayor Jerry Abramson
Louisville Metro Government
Louisville Metro Hall
527 West Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40202-2814

Dear Mr. Mayor:

I write to you on behalf of the South of Broadway Business Association (SOBBA) and as the General Manager of the Holiday Inn Louisville-Downtown concerning “Cruisin” on Broadway 2005.

There are numerous ways to describe the impact “Cruisin” has had, does have and will have on the tourism industry as well as an economic impact.

To begin, I ask, “does Cruisin keep us safe”? The incidents of 2005, let alone, the past years of Cruisin, certainly do not indicate we are safe. As a matter of fact, it is extremely intimidating to the business owner and the Kentucky Derby tourists. The majority of us would like to know, besides yourself and a few special interest groups, what entities endorse this activity?

Upon reading my copy of the annual official souvenir magazine “Kentucky Derby”, I cannot find one word of “Cruisin” in this magazine as an “event” or alternative venue for the tourists.

Can you provide us with Churchill Downs’ endorsement of “Cruisin” as part of their “Kentucky Derby” weeklong festivities? I’m afraid not.

Are you able to provide us with the Kentucky Derby Festival’s official endorsement of “Cruisin” and their participation policy? Does “Cruisin” require a Pegasus Pin for entry? I also researched our Convention Bureau Website and could not find a single word of endorsement for “Cruisin. Why? Because it is not a tourism-friendly event. I question why an event that is not legally sanctioned by any city department continues to exist and flourish.

On the one day when the eyes of the world are on Louisville, Kentucky for the Kentucky Derby, our fair city allows the day to end with a thud!

As the representative of businesses, six of which are on Broadway, we want to know the economic impact gains from “Cruisin”. We also want to know the taxpayers’ cost for an illegal event. No parade permits, nudity, assault, intimidation, detainment, and drugs. Yet, hours are paid to the over worked, under staffed Louisville Metro Police Department approved by your office.

This situation has never been controlled by the Metro Police because they know it is bigger than they can handle. By their own admission they TOLERATE all actions as a matter of survival.

My hotel has one particular customer at risk, which spends in excess of $250,000.00 for a 3-day package at our hotel. I don’t have numbers, but the Brown Hotel has several million dollars at risk, as well.

Dollars at risk will mean less tax revenue or transient room tax revenue, which contributes to the operation of the Convention Bureau, the Kentucky Center for the Arts, and the Kentucky International Convention Center; all tourism related venue destinations.

Mr. Mayor, do not hide the facts behind a task force. You know in your heart and mind that “Cruisin” is a blotch on the 16th largest city in America. Please remember, tourism continues even after NBC concludes their Derby coverage on the first Saturday in May.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

Daniel J. Smaldone
President
South of Broadway Business Association
General Manager
Holiday Inn Louisville-Downtown

DJS/jgj

cc: Chief Robert White, LMPD
Steve Sexton, President, Churchill Downs
Jim Woods, President and CEO, L.V.C.B.
Mike Berry, President and CEO, Kentucky Derby Festival
Marcheta Sparrow, Executive Director, Kentucky Tourism Council
George Unseld, Councilman
SOBBA Membership