Louisville City Wire

Today, just over a year into his first term, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg delivered his State of the City Address and confirmed that Louisville is becoming a safer, stronger and healthier city for all those who call it home. The mayor thanked the Rotary Club of Louisville for hosting the event, which was held at the Summit Wellness Center.

“Louisville is a city that is growing and moving in a new direction toward a brighter future,” Mayor Greenberg said. “We’re working with urgency and we’re delivering results.”

The mayor began his address focusing on public safety, highlighting a decrease in homicides, non-fatal shootings and carjackings in 2023. While the mayor stated Louisville should be encouraged by the progress, he acknowledged there is more work to be done.

“When someone is killed by a gun, the impact travels much farther than the path of that bullet,” said the mayor. “There’s physical trauma, emotional trauma, families torn apart, and a community left hurt and mourning.”

To protect lives and put a stop to violence, the mayor highlighted multi-level efforts that are making a difference. From delivering the Summit Wellness Center – a facility supporting first responders that was touted as a national model by Kharlton Moore, Director of the U.S. Dept. of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance – to appointing Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel as Chief of LMPD, expanding the successful Crisis Call Diversion Program and the Group Violence Intervention Program, the mayor shared how taking intentional steps is making a positive impact in combatting violent crime.

Mayor Greenberg also celebrated a strong economy, with more than $1 billion in investment and 2,300 new jobs announced last year. To ensure this success continues, the mayor stated his administration is implementing Growing Louisville Together – the first comprehensive economic strategy the city has seen in nearly a decade, which the mayor announced in December 2023.

“We’re being strategic about growing our economy the right way by looking at every decision through the lenses of equity and sustainability,” Mayor Greenberg said.

From elevating the Offices of Equity and Sustainability to the Mayor’s Office to seeing through Louisville Metro Government’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2030, Mayor Greenberg said Louisville can have both a healthy environment and a healthy, inclusive economy.

When talking about strengthening the economy, the mayor focused on the importance of Louisville parks and community centers and discussed investments made such as security cameras, new lights and amenities like free wi-fi. The mayor also recognized the opening of the Alberta O. Jones Park in the California neighborhood.

“I am grateful to our partners in the Parks Alliance of Louisville for making that possible. I’m also grateful to Olmsted Parks Conservancy for leading the way on the Elliot Park transformation. And I’m incredibly grateful to every one of our Louisville Parks and Recreation team members for all they do to care for these spaces we love and depend on,” said Mayor Greenberg.

Louisville has more to look forward to in the months ahead, with several projects soon to be completed including the reopening of the Parkland Library after nearly 40 years, the reopening of the renovated Portland Library and the opening of the brand-new Fern Creek Library. This work was made possible after the mayor proposed to redirect $20 million of American Rescue Plan funding toward parks, community centers and libraries, which the Metro Council approved.

The mayor went on to share his plan to deliver more quality and affordable housing, stating that housing impacts the city’s ability to attract and retain talent, increase public safety and address serious challenges like homelessness.

Mayor Greenberg worked with community partners to create the My Louisville Home Plan, an ambitious, first-of-its-kind strategy to create and preserve 15,000 affordable homes. In addition, the Greenberg administration is working to make the Affordable Housing Trust Fund a permanent revolving loan fund, continuing to work with the state legislature and Metro Council on state laws and zoning ordinances and continuing progress at the Community Care Campus, which will provide transitional shelter with a focus on families.

Early education is also a priority for Mayor Greenberg. He noted that delivering free, high-quality pre-Kindergarten for every 3- and 4-year-old in Louisville would set children up for long-term success, strengthen the economy, boost workforce participation and benefit public safety. To see this goal through, the mayor’s Office of Philanthropy is collaborating with experts in childhood education through the Early Learning Action Group. The long-term plan to achieve this goal will be announced in the coming weeks.

Mayor Greenberg stated that his administration has a big, ambitious agenda for every part of Louisville, including the heart of the city – downtown. From expanding Waterfront Park to investing in infrastructure, supporting the LouMed District, launching a project to reimagine 4th Street from Main to Liberty, hiring more Downtown Ambassadors and more, the mayor and his administration are working with partners to ensure downtown Louisville remains beautiful, vibrant and full of life for visitors and residents alike.

A major part of that work is a forward-thinking plan for the Belvedere.

“The Belvedere can be so much more,” said the mayor. “I want to create an iconic, world-class public space right on the river. A destination that attracts people year-round, from our community and all over the world.”

To achieve this goal, Mayor Greenberg stated his administration is working with Heatherwick; an international design firm that has created world-famous spaces like the Vessel and Little Island in New York and Azabudai Hills in Tokyo, Japan. Together, Heatherwick and the Mayor’s team will create something powerful and iconic to serve as a symbol of Louisville.

Mayor Greenberg also announced a new volunteer portal launched between Louisville Metro Government and Metro United Way. It’s a simple way for residents to take the first step to sign up for volunteer opportunities across the city.

The mayor encouraged everyone to be a part of the solution, stating, “We need you. We need your time, energy, experience and perspective.”

For those interested in volunteer opportunities, visit the new portal at LouisvilleKy.Gov/Volunteer. As he closed, the mayor encouraged Louisvillians to talk and listen to each other so that we can continue to get the world’s attention for all the right reasons.

“Friends, let’s think big. Let’s be bold. Let’s take some risks,” said Mayor Greenberg. “The state of Louisville is strong – let’s make it stronger, and safer and healthier for everyone in this city we all love.”

For a complete version of Mayor Greenberg’s State of the City Address, click here. Louisville can also view the address on MetroTV. To see a full list of accomplishments from 2023, click here.

Original source can be found here.