LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — In the two decades, Louisville’s population could be 30% larger, with universal pre-kindergarten, thousands more affordable housing units, international passenger flights, a WNBA team, 20,000 more trees, 300 new Black-owned businesses, renewable energy and "a distinct, authentic, and timeless brand identity."
These are among dozens of goals, "action steps" and possibilities contained in a 52-page economic development plan released Thursday by Mayor Craig Greenberg.
The "Growing Louisville Together" plan, which is still in draft form, calls for fulfilling some of Greenberg’s key campaign promises, including creating 15,000 affordable housing units and universal pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds; and for following through on other Greenberg initiatives such as repurposing the Belvedere space overlooking the Ohio River and subsidizing the conversion of vacant downtown office buildings to housing.
Read the plan:
The plan sets ambitious goals for attracting and retaining residents, aiming for a nearly 30% increase in Louisville Metro’s population, to more than 1,000,000, by 2038 while doubling the city-county’s international immigrant population, from 9% to 18%.
Speaking at an event at Brown Forman Corp.'s Louisville headquarters, Greenberg acknowledged that the plan is ambitious.
"We understand that it might take time to achieve those goals. But if we're not striving to achieve big, bold goals like that, we won't materially change the trajectory of our community," he said.
Louisville has had similar plans, with mixed results at best, under previous mayors and chamber of commerce leaders.
"Growing Louisville Together will not sit on a shelf," Greenberg wrote in an introduction to the plan. "It will boldly guide Louisville Metro Government's direction and collaboration with state government, the private sector, organized labor, educational institutions, and the nonprofit and philanthropic communities."
The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the plan.
