Work begins on $12 million project to transform East Market Street in NuLu

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Construction began this week on the East Market Streetscape project, a years-long plan to create a better environment in Louisville's NuLu neighborhood for cars, bikes and people.

The $12 million project is focused on a 1-mile stretch of East Market Street from Brook Street to Baxter Avenue.

Over the last two decades, as the NuLu area has become a restaurant, tourist and shopping hub, the stretch of East Market Street between 1st Street and its termination at the Home of the Innocents has remained largely the same. Six lanes of traffic and parking, most of them pointing east, make the corridor conducive for vehicles plowing through, but imposing for pedestrians.

Plans developed almost a decade ago would repurpose a good chunk of Market Street for non-vehicular use. The sidewalk would be extended in places. Curbs would bump out at intersections to make the street-crossing distance shorter. A dedicated cycling path would meander just outside the sidewalk without risking collisions when people open car doors into the path. At least one driving lane would be eliminated, as would the suburban-style angled parking in the 800 block.

Trees and flower beds will be planted, including in a new median in the center of the street. Public art and street furniture like benches and tables will be installed to encourage outdoor interaction.

Many of the current larger trees on Market Street will have to be removed, but new trees will be planted during the construction process.

Parking during busy times in NuLu can come at a premium, but the streetscape project would actually reduce the number of parking spaces by 15 in order to add bike lanes and landscaped bump-outs.

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Works said businesses will be contacted 14 days before construction starts on their block, and people will still be able to get to those businesses.

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