Neighbors voice concerns with Churchill Downs' plan to permanently close part of South Fourth Street

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- People who live near Churchill Downs are learning more about a proposal to close a portion of South Fourth Street for good.

In April, the track announced plans to build an $8 million equine medical center and quarantine facility near the backside and is in need of more space to expand.

Officials want to permanently close a portion of South Fourth Street between the intersection of Fourth Street and Oakdale Avenue south, to the area just beyond the backside entrance at Winn Avenue.

Proposed 4th Street Closure — This photo from QK4 Engineering Planning depicts the portion of S. 4th Street Churchill Downs wants to close.

At a public meeting Wednesday evening, neighbors expressed their concerns with the track's plan. They say with so much expansion over the past few years, they wonder how much more land the track wants to buy.

"I just want to see what's left when they get done with what they're going to do," said Richard Blasi, who lives on Berry Boulevard. "Are they telling us everything right now? Probably not. They probably have a lot of stuff in the works."

Now, Churchill will submit a plan to the city and Metro Council will have final say on the street closure.

The equine medical center is scheduled to be finished by March 2020.