Conceptual design for reimagined Belvedere draws mixed reactions from Louisville residents

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisvillians are sharing their thoughts on the potential future for the city's Belvedere.

The "first concepts" 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.

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

"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.

In response to the renderings, comments quickly started popping up on WDRB social media pages with the public saying things like "Truly awful. Back to the drawing board please" and "It is a usable space?" But others praised the concept, saying "I think it looks great!" and "Looks fantastic."

Greenberg urged Louisville to think "big and bold" about the 7-acre space that opened in 1973 just north of 5th and Main streets. In recent years, the Belvedere has been home to well-known events like WorldFest and been a popular viewing spot for Thunder Over Louisville.

"Oh, I like that. That looks pretty good," Brian Burton, a long-time Louisvillian, said downtown Friday as he looked at the concept renderings for the first time. "That oughta bring some people up this way."

The Belvedere on the Ohio River in downtown Louisville. Jan. 31, 2025. *(WDRB Photo)*

Burton said the current Belvedere could "stand some improvement" and was pleased with the new ideas.

"I believe it would do real good up there," he said. "People would enjoy coming up here more and people would have family outings and picnics and stuff."

Kurt Magalis has only lived in Louisville about 10 months but also had a positive reaction to the renderings.

"It looks good," he said. "It looks modern and sleek."

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 hired London-based Heatherwick Studio as its design firm.

Designer Thomas Heatherwick's work is on display in the United Kingdom, India, Hong Kong, China and New York City. He visited the Belvedere in late 2023.

"The mayor's got such an ambitious vision to transform this space, and we're here for the first time properly exploring and trying to understand the relationship with the river and all the buildings around," Heatherwick said during that 2023 visit. "As with so many rivers in the middle of cities, so many cities have turned their backs on the rivers."

Heatherwick said it would be exciting to try and figure out how it "might be possible to reverse this turning your back to the river and instead turn around an face this amazing view."

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

Louisvillian Logan Gordon called the current idea "interesting."

"OK it looks kinda cool," Gordon said. "... It looks futuristic, maybe a little bit Brutalist."

However, he said he had concerns about the potential price tag.

"It's cool, but I just feel like that's probably a lot of funding for the city compared to some other things that are going on as well," Gordon said, mentioning topics such as funding for TARC and homeless shelters.

"Louisville's a great city. It's awesome to be here. I think if people are traveling in, they love the city when they leave. It's a great city. I think that we're doing good things. As long as the funding's going where it needs to go, I'm all for it."

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.

Greenberg also said this week that Layla George, the former president and CEO of the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, will be the city's Belvedere project executive.

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