LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Metro Council passed Louisville's budget for next year Thursday night. It came only after a big fight over the controversial Whiskey Row project.
The mayor wanted to loan the developers of Whiskey Row $500,000 toward restoring the historic buildings. But several council members objected, saying there are better ways to spend the money.
The city has already loaned the developers of Whiskey Row $1.5 million to save and restore the historic buildings on Main Street. Several council members, both Democrat and Republican objected to the mayor's proposal to loan a half-million more, especially during lean budget times.
After days of wrangling, the council thought it had worked out a compromise. Approve the new loan, but require the developers to repay at least $1 million if they ever sell the property.
"We're only paving nine miles of roads this year, so there are a lot of things that we're not doing," said Kelly Downard (R) Metro Council. "And I think to set that up as a priority for $500,000 was wrong, unless we have the opportunity now to say the taxpayers, for that $500,000, we'll get $1 million back."
But during the council meeting, the deal fell apart. Council members, led by Tina Ward-Pugh, argued, essentially, that the mayor should be allowed to negotiate the terms of the loan.
"So I'm asking you to allow the mayor to do his job and negotiate a deal. When he brings it over, if you don't like it, don't vote for it," said Tina Ward-Pugh (D) Metro Council.
Downard and others said they would not OK with spending the money without guarantees for the taxpayers.
"These are intelligent, wealthy, well-connected people who made a bad investment, OK," said Downard. "And they want the taxpayer to help bail them out of it."
"I could take $500,000 and rehab just about every vacant house in District 3, and I am not in favor of giving these private investors taxpayers dollars," said Mary Woolridge (D) Metro Council.
But despite the objections, the budget proposal passed 19-5.
"I'm disappointed at what happened, obviously," said Downard. "And I wish the payback had been there."
Pugh disagreed.
"It's a decision that we should make when the deal is brought to us," Pugh said. "It is not our place to make that deal tonight."
Supporters point out that the half-million dollars will help attract private money to create a preservation trust fund that will help not only Whiskey Row but future projects as well.
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