Latest news with #CraigGreenberg
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Crash leaves semi cab hanging off bridge, southbound I-65 closed
Southbound Interstate 65 in Louisville near the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge is closed May 4 due to a crash that left the cab of a tractor trailer hanging off the bridge, according to city officials. Crews with the Louisville Division of Fire have rescued the driver, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg stated in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Motorists crossing the bridge from Indiana are advised to use caution. Louisville Metro Emergency Services issued a LENSAlert at 10:05 a.m. regarding the crash near the bridge. The eastbound Interstate 64 ramp from the Kennedy Bridge is also closed due to debris on the roadway, according to TRIMARC. It is unclear how long the closures will last. This story will be updated. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Semi crash on Kennedy Bridge leaves I-65 closed in Louisville
Business Journals
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Mayor Greenberg backs massive downtown Louisville hotel project
Greenberg was once part of a group that tried to build a 62-story skyscraper at the site. Story Highlights Poe Cos. plans 1,000-room hotel on former Museum Plaza site. Mayor Greenberg supports new hotel development for downtown Louisville. State legislation allows development incentives for the project site. In 2011, arts patrons Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown, commercial real estate developer Steve Poe and then-attorney Craig Greenberg called it quits on a $465 million dream that would have forever altered Louisville's horizon. Museum Plaza was to be a 62-story mixed-use tower with 300,000 square feet of Class A commercial space, two hotels with more than 300 rooms and 160 luxury lofts and condominiums. But after breaking ground in 2007, construction was halted a year later amid the Great Recession and construction problems, leaving a gap on Main Street and on the city's skyline. Nearly 15 years after walking away from the site, Poe and now-Mayor Greenberg are once again looking to build on the prime Downtown lot. Business First broke the news Wednesday that Louisville-based Poe Cos. is working on plans to build a 1,000-room hotel at the vacant site next to the Muhammad Ali Center, according to several sources with knowledge of the plan, which was later confirmed by Poe Cos. expand The Main Street site currently features pickleball courts provided by the Louisville Downtown Partnership. Joel Stinnett While details of the massive hotel — which would be located between River Road, Main Street, Seventh Street, and Washington Street — are in the 'predevelopment' phases, Poe Cos. does have drawings for the project that are in an 'initial stage for budget pricing,' Hank Hillebrand, Poe Cos. president, told Louisville Business First in an email. The current plans call for a 1,000-room hotel featuring more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space and new bourbon tourism experiences. Poe Cos. has spoken to 'various' hotel brands about the project. Poe Cos. was selected to develop the site last year following a request for proposals from Louisville Metro Government. The news follows the advancement of a bill by state lawmakers that allowed development incentives in the area of Downtown Louisville around the former Museum Plaza site — which were previously off limits because of a deal struck nearly two decades ago. The measure opened up areas inside the arena's tax increment financing (TIF) district to other projects — such as the new planned hotel — seeking the same types of state tax rebates that help the KFC Yum Center pay off its construction debt. House Bill 775 was sponsored by State Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, and supported by Greenberg. expand Louisville-based Poe Cos. is working on plans to build a 1,000-room hotel at a site next to the Muhammad Ali Center. Joel Stinnett During the Louisville Downtown Partnership's State of Downtown lunch March 27, Mayor Craig Greenberg said that he asked the Kentucky General Assembly 'to help us try again to develop the vacant land of the former Museum Plaza site.' Referencing that site later in his speech he also said 'a new tower will rise above the recently flooded land next to the Muhammad Ali Center.' In a phone interview Wednesday with Business First, Greenberg talked about his support for the new hotel, why the city needs its rooms and how he would like it to connect to the community. This interview has been edited for clarity and space. How is the mayor's office assisting Poe Cos. in getting this project built? We are incredibly supportive of building a new 1,000-room convention hotel on this site. I think it would be a tremendous benefit for Downtown and our entire city and state. Louisville Tourism has made clear that our city needs more convention center hotels and the quality and size of this proposed project would be a wonderful addition. I supported legislation in the recent Kentucky General Assembly session that amended the Tax Increment Financing law to support a project like this on this site. You were involved in the original Museum Plaza project. What did you learn from that experience that can be used to get this new project across the finish line? It's a very challenging site to develop. Therefore, a strong public-private partnership is the only path forward. At the same time it's an incredibly important location for Downtown. Activating that site that exists in a flood plane but at a really important part of our city will have benefits for our entire community. Having been in the hotel business [with 21C Museum Hotel] and having developed hotels, what amenities or attractions would you like to see be a part of the planned convention center hotel site? I think the quality and the size are incredibly important. I also think connecting it to our city is important, whether it is ultimately connected to our bourbon industry or other authentically Louisville industries and will be incredibly helpful for its ultimate success. I want to encourage its design to provide strong connections to Main Street as well as our skyline.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Artificial intelligence and a new firehouse: Greenberg unveils $1.2 billion budget proposal
From using artificial intelligence for Metro Government operations to funding the first new firehouse in over a decade, Mayor Craig Greenberg unveiled a number of new priorities in his proposed $1.2 billion city budget. Now, the Louisville Metro Council will work to amend the budget over several weeks, before approving a finalized version in the summer. In the budget proposal, released on April 24, Greenberg prioritized funding for public safety initiatives, including a new drone program, three new economic development funds and additions to the Community Care Campus, among others. However, several notable projects received no funding this year, including the reconstruction of the Belvedere, the universal pre-K non-profit Thrive by Five and a proposed first responder training center. The projects have not been canceled, but the administration did not believe the organizations were in a position where they needed new funding this budget cycle. Instead, Greenberg chose to invest the limited funds into other areas. He also hopes to cut $5 million from city department spending, though it will not be a blanket 1% cut, as it was for the 2025 fiscal year. Here's where Greenberg wants to put money for the 2026 fiscal year: Greenberg announced plans to spend a "significant portion" of the city's budget on emergency services — from the Louisville Metro Police Department to the Louisville Fire Department to Alcoholic Beverage Control, and several others. He also wants to launch a new drone program, which would make drones available to first responders at fires, hostage standoffs and other emergency scenes. Greenberg also proposed to fund a new fire station for Engine 23, which is located next to Iroquois Park. The station is too small to house female firefighters, due to constraints on space for beds and bathrooms. Greenberg hopes the new funding, if approved, could change that. In preparation for the proposed development around Slugger Field, Greenberg hopes to invest in infrastructure improvements for the "Diamond District." This will include paving, tree planting and plans to develop under a nearby overpass, though it is unclear what that could look like. Three new development funds, each with $3 million, will be allotted to the East, West and South Ends. The South End fund will be focused on spurring business development, while the East End fund has been earmarked for infrastructure improvements. The last $3 million will go to Simmons College for its new STEM-focused campus near Shawnee Park. Greenberg has allotted money for KentuckianaWorks, Goodwill, the AHOY Children's Museum, One West and the YMCA's Early Learning Readiness program. Greenberg intends to automate some government functions with artificial intelligence, including open records requests and planning and zoning permits. He also proposed a 5% raise for all non-union city employees and matching government city employees' contributions to a tax-free, early childhood flexible savings account. His budget includes $30 million for paving, $2 million for sidewalks and $1 million for alleys — in addition to the $3 million East End Infrastructure Improvement Fund. Greenberg earmarked $750,000 to external agency arts organizations, $750,000 to violence prevention external agency programs and $750,000 to social service external agencies. Parks could also get a bump in deferred maintenance money, with the amount going from $2.9 million in the last budget to $3.2 this budget. The full budget proposal will be available on the government's website. More: Greenberg unveils Kentucky Derby guest list for 2025. Here's who's on it This story will be updated. Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@ or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville mayor pitches AI, new firehouse, pay raises in new budget
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Louisville launches multi-million-dollar flood cleanup effort ahead of a Kentucky Derby
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Cleanup efforts are now underway along the Ohio River in Louisville, just weeks before millions of eyes turn to the city for the annual Kentucky Derby. City leaders held a news conference Friday to discuss what is expected to be a multi-million-dollar effort to repair damaged roads, clean up parks and restore public spaces ahead of the 151st running of the Derby. Rivers and creeks across the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys swelled following 10 to 20 inches of rainfall in early April, with several major waterways still above flood stage. A water gauge along the Ohio River near Louisville recorded the river cresting at nearly 37 feet, making it one of the top 10 flood events in the city's history. Dozens of residents and visitors were rescued as first responders went door to door, helping storm victims escape rising waters. As part of the next response phase, Louisville Metro Government announced an extensive cleanup operation focused on removing trash and debris from parks, parking lots and other public areas. "We have 22 days until the Kentucky Derby, when the eyes of the world will be on Louisville," said Mayor Craig Greenberg. "I am confident our plan will ensure the flood-damaged areas of our city are restored and beautiful again by the first Saturday in May." The mayor's office said cleanup costs are expected to reach at least $5 million, though most disaster expenses are anticipated to be reimbursed by FEMA. Did The National Weather Service Capture A Photo Of Bigfoot During A Pennsylvania Storm Survey? Local officials compared the flooding to that experienced during a 1997 event, but thanks to pump stations, upgraded levees, and floodgates, the damage this time was far less extensive. "Typically, this would have been an event where we would have had hundreds if not thousands of houses flooded. So, we are very proud of what we've done and how we have used the community's resources," said Brian Bingham, chief operations officer at the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District. Once the current cleanup phase is complete, the city plans to launch phase three of its action plan, which includes curbside debris pickup following the recent rounds of severe weather. Despite the flooding, Kentucky Derby events are expected to continue as scheduled, but officials warn that some events may be relocated to other venues in the metro. Amish Community In Michigan Repairs Tornado Damage Before Meteorologists Can Complete Survey Similar cleanup operations are underway around Cincinnati and across the Bluegrass State, as water levels slowly recede. Further south along the Mississippi River, communities are still bracing for potential flooding, as high water from northern areas could take weeks to stream southward. Dozens of river gauges are forecast to reach either "moderate" or "major" flood stage in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana in the coming article source: Louisville launches multi-million-dollar flood cleanup effort ahead of a Kentucky Derby
NBC News
08-04-2025
- Climate
- NBC News
Frigid temperatures and flooding still a major concern for much of the U.S.
Frigid temperatures still gripped much of the United States on Wednesday as 55 million people in parts of the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast remain under frost and freeze alerts. Temperatures are set to 10 to 25 degrees below average, leading to chilly weather over the next few days for areas east of the Mississippi River. The National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center said in a Monday post on X that cold weather precautions should be taken. "Cold temperatures, near or below freezing, on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings will be felt across areas that were impacted by the recent multi-day storms," the center said. The National Weather Service in New York cautioned that temperatures will be in the low to mid-40s on Tuesday, but the wind "will make it feel more like it's in the 20s in the morning and 30s in the afternoon." In Atlanta, a cooler airmass will bring cold temperatures Tuesday evening. Some areas could see freezing or near-freezing temperatures, the region's National Weather Service said in a Tuesday post on X. A slow rebound of temperatures can be expected heading into the weekend. Flooding also continues to be a concern on Tuesday following last week's destructive storms across the Midwest, mid-South and Northeast. At least 24 people were killed in the storms. On Tuesday, 20 river locations remained in the major flood stage. Louisville, Kentucky, Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a Facebook post on Monday that the Ohio River had reached 35 feet in the downtown area and was projected to crest at 37 feet on Wednesday. "This is officially one of the Top 10 flooding events in Louisville history," he wrote. "Please use caution when traveling, especially if it is along the Ohio River and be alert of road closures in your area." Outside of river flooding, the rest of the country could see some scattered showers, thunderstorms, and light snow but will have relatively low-impact weather. Light snow will move through New England on Tuesday, while Florida can expect thunderstorms and showers. On Wednesday, there will be more showers and storms across the Northeast. The Tennessee Valley will also see some strong storms on Wednesday.
