LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said Monday on WDRB Mornings that he's hopeful Givaudan will remain in the city a week after an explosion in the company's plant killed two people and injured 11 others.
The mayor provided updates on a variety of issues in the city.
From fires, explosions to rescue missions and more, several dangerous workplace incidents happened in Louisville last week. Two people died and 11 others were injured in an explosion at the Givaudan plant in Clifton on Tuesday afternoon.
"It was certainly an eventful week last week, lots of challenging incidents our first responders responded to, I'm so grateful for their actions," Greenberg said.
Greenberg said the ATF and arson investigators have completed their investigation at the plant on 1901 Payne Street.
"They have determined it was an industrial accident, it was not intentional," Greenberg said.
Some Clifton residents oppose a chemical plant being rebuilt in the same location after the deadly explosion. The blast could be heard for miles around. It shattered windows of nearby homes and businesses, sending twisted shards of debris into yards and interior rooms and knocking pictures off walls.
Greenberg would like the plant to find a more suitable location.
"I'm hopeful we can work with the company on that because these are good jobs in the city," Greenberg said. "We want businesses to grow and create more jobs in our city. But people's safety is also first and foremost both the employees as well as surrounding neighborhoods."
City of Louisville officials and representatives from Givaudan will host a public informational meeting on Monday to address concerns. At 6 p.m., a Clifton Neighborhood Meeting is scheduled at United Crescent Hill Ministries on State Street. City and Givaudan officials will attend the meeting to listen to residents and address their concerns.
On Monday, Volunteers of America officially opened a temporary family emergency shelter at the Community Care Campus. The $58 million campus is expected to be fully operational in 2027 and include transitional housing, permanent housing, a medical and behavioral clinic, community gathering space and a Louisville Metro Police office.
"That is one of the things we're doing to end chronic street homelessness to ensure that our streets are safe and healthy for everyone in our community," Greenberg said.
Greenberg said public safety is still a focus for the city. Louisville Metro Police Interim Chief Paul Humphrey was named permanent chief by Greenberg in September, following three months of acting as interim.
The mayor said Humphrey is off to a great start in the role. Police want to reduce gang violence around the city.
"There is far too much gang violence of young people shooting each other," Greenberg said. "We're working to crack down on gang violence."
Greenberg also pointed to the variety of weekend activities and events in Louisville recently.
"We're focused on improving the quality of life for all Louisvillians, giving people more things to do," Greenberg said.
Greenberg wants the city to continue to support Jefferson County Public Schools.
"What we've been able to try to do is find areas where the city can partner with them," Greenberg said.
Other Top Stories:
- Cooking vessel failure cited as cause of Louisville plant explosion
- Brett Hankison's attorneys request new trial in Breonna Taylor case
- All-clear given after LMPD's Bomb Squad responds to 'suspicious package' on Bardstown Road
Copyright WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
