LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Fighting violence and restoring trust in the city's police force are the top priorities for Louisville's mayor ahead of Kentucky's upcoming legislative session.
Wednesday afternoon, outside Metro Hall, Mayor Craig Greenberg was joined by a bipartisan group of state lawmakers as he unveiled his agenda for the 2024 General Assembly with a heavy emphasis on improving public safety.
The plan includes new laws, incentives for investing in downtown Louisville, and millions of dollars in capital improvements. But it will require bipartisan support from state lawmakers.
"I am as focused as ever on big, bold, transformational changes for our city today as I was when I first thought of running for this office several years ago," Greenberg said. "And we are working hard every day to make our city safer, stronger and healthier."
Louisville Metro Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel joined the mayor during Wednesday's announcement. Both said improving public safety, building trust, and the recruitment and retention of officers are all top priorities for the administration.
"So there are other things that we are discussing now to make sure that we do not lose those great officers that want to continue serving our great community," said Gwinn-Villaroel.
The police chief said there's already a shift in one of the priorities.
"I'm happy to say those individuals wanting to leave our department has tremendously slowed down," she said.
Greenberg said he wants to continue working with the General Assembly to combat violent crime and provide Louisville with "local autonomy to reduce its amount of gun violence compared to other Kentucky cities."
Part of that includes allowing Louisville Metro Police to destroy weapons used in murders or other violent crimes. Right now, officers are turned over to Kentucky State Police and they are auctioned off, often ending up back on the streets.
Greenberg's plan would also require background checks for all firearm sales, Emergency Risk Protection Orders, a waiting period for all first-time gun buyers, and limit concealed carry for those under 25 years of age.
The plan would also provide additional state funding to provide new resources for local police departments in an effort to combat violent crime. That includes license plate readers, flock cameras and gunshot detection systems.
Another effort Greenberg proposed is to create a statewide wiretapping law "apprehend gang leaders and the most violent offenders in our cities." The mayor said Kentucky is one of four states without the law, which he said would be "narrowly targeted" and "only be permitted in jurisdictions with a population above 250,000."
Additionally, Greenberg proposes new legislation to make carjacking a state crime and create a pretrial diversion program for juveniles who are convicted of first-time carjacking offenses.
The mayor's proposal also includes an emphasis on affordable housing in Louisville.
"We can and must build an entirely new residential neighborhood here in downtown Louisville and in other towns across Kentucky through major investments in office conversions," Greenberg said. "We also have to address the challenges of individuals that are currently experiencing homelessness."
Rebecca Fleischaker, executive director of the Louisville Downtown Partnership, said repurposing abandoned buildings and office spaces would be a plus because people are already lining up to move downtown.
"This is a really great chance to make downtown even stronger and even better for the entire commonwealth," Fleischaker said. "There is a demand, but we don't have enough units and so we want to build up the number of residents we have, (because) then you have 24 hours activity on the street, you just need that, feet on the street to be vibrant."
Greenberg's proposal includes a request for $50 million for the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which "helps create new housing for working families, people with disabilities, and veterans."
He also wants to enact a state Affordable Housing Tax Credit, that would provide $20 million in annual credits for a five-year period to start developing multi-family affordable housing, and housing for first-time home buyers.
Additionally, he proposes putting "at least" 20% of the Kentucky Affordable Housing Trust Fund towards creating an affordable housing plan for the city.
Kentucky Rep. Jason Nemes, R-33, admits that he and Greenberg are on opposite sides of a lot of issues, but they're on the same page when it comes to moving Louisville forward.
"He's got his role, I've got my role, but they are the same in that we are supposed to help improve the lives of people who live in Louisville and that's what I'm going to do," said Nemes.
In total, Greenberg is asking for $250 million for capital projects across all of Louisville's neighborhoods:
- $22.2 million for the Community Care Campus to complete the initiative that provides services and shelter to those experiencing homelessness.
- $42 million for Metro Parks & Recreation
- $20 million for "the design and construction of a newly envisioned, world-class activated" Belvedere
- $7 million for the new Algonquin Park Aquatics Center
- $200,000 to add seating and improve safety at Iroquois Amphitheater
- $15 million to create a natatorium and public pool in south Louisville
- $30 million to convert vacant downtown office buildings into residential or other use, such as hotel, retail, and entertainment.
- $30 million for the Ohio Riverfront Investment Strategy:
- $9 million for Riverport infrastructure
- $7 million for the Shawnee Park Nature Center
- $8 million for infrastructure on the Louisville Loop in eastern Jefferson County
- $1 million for the Ohio River Northeast project to connect the Lewis & Clark bridge with U.S. 42
- $2.5 million each year for enhanced Waterfront Development Corporation operations
- $17 million to design and construct new infrastructure for the LouMed district
- $12 million for infrastructure improvements to develop an entertainment and residential district near Lynn Family Stadium
- $35 million to plan and create transportation and infrastructure improvements to support growth in less densely populated areas of the city
- $11 million in funding for the Public Library Facilities Construction Fund program to finish the Fern Creek, Portland and Parkland libraries
Also on the agenda, a request for $20 million over a two-year period, $10 million each year, to help jumpstart the Greenberg administration's Universal Pre-K initiative. The plan would "provide free, high-quality education" to 3- and 4-year-old children in Louisville.
To read Greenberg's full 2024 General Assembly agenda, click here or on the PDF embedded in this story.
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