LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The "first concepts" of Louisville’s planned overhaul of the Belvedere were unveiled Thursday, suggesting possible visions for the 51-year-old downtown plaza that Mayor Craig Greenberg has pledged to remake.

Renderings showed a pavilion with rolling and flared edges covering much of the elevated public space above Interstate 64 at the Ohio River. People picnic in a grassy area studded with wildflowers, while others walk near sculptures.  

Speaking during his annual state of the city address, Greenberg said project officials still are seeking feedback on the proposal that has been discussed at three public meetings in recent weeks.

"Together we're now going to create an iconic world class destination that will serve as Louisville's front yard and connector," he told members of the Rotary Club of Louisville at the Kentucky Center.

He urged Louisville to think "big and bold" about the 7-acre space that opened in 1973 just north of Fifth and Main streets. In recent years, the Belvedere has been home to the WorldFest festival and Thunder Over Louisville viewing.

Greenberg also said Thursday that Layla George, the former president and CEO of the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, will be the city’s Belvedere project executive. George announced last September that she was leaving that post.  

There is no cost estimate for the Belvedere work because the final design isn’t yet known, according to the mayor’s office. The city has hired London-based Heatherwick Studio as its design firm.

Greenberg said at a public meeting last week that he hopes a "conceptual" plan is ready by early May, with design finalized by mid-2026 and construction starting shortly thereafter.  

State legislators approved $100 million last year for a group of downtown Louisville area projects, including the Belvedere. The specific amount for the Belvedere hasn’t been announced.

The city’s current budget includes $10 million in bond funds for the Belvedere. As for any other public funds, "This will be a public private partnership that will include multiple sources of funding.  We are actively working on that now," Allison Martin, Greenberg’s communications director, said in an email.

State of the City

In other remarks, Greenberg touted his administration’s momentum moving Louisville in a "new direction" that includes a cooperative working relationship with state legislators in Frankfort, a crackdown on street racing and an overall decline in shootings since 2021.

"The state of our city is strong and getting stronger and safer and healthier for everyone in every Louisville neighborhood with each passing day," he said. 

Greenberg said his administration is "fully committed" to implementing the policing reform agreement called a consent decree reached last year with the U.S. Department of Justice. Court oversight of that deal is in doubt after a federal judge raised questions at a hearing this month.

Greenberg cited movement in economic development projects such as modular housing company MMY’s decision to locate in the city’s Parkland neighborhood; the recent start of production by pretzel maker Stellar Snacks in Park Hill; and plans to build Kentucky’s first large-scale data center west of Shively.   

He praised city first responders following the fatal explosion at the Givaudan plant in Clifton in November, as well as their work in last year’s truck crash and rescue on the Clark Memorial Bridge and a building collapse near downtown.

Those comments brought a standing ovation from many at the Kentucky Center's Bomhard Theater. 

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