"Build It, And They Will Come!"
Anytime a relatively new idea is inrtoduced, the naturally tendency is to find reasons it will not work. I understand that. Yet, I believe the "Ville" would be ripe for street food to have an impact on its culnary scene.
Downtown is in its infancy of development. The new arena has brought thousands downtown to watch the University games. Louisville's minor league baseball team is touted nationally as one of its best and most fun to watch. This attribute of downtown needs to be marketed more, but again this brings foot traffic. Once the Feds and the banking industry get over the knee jerk reflex action to the problems in the mortgage world, hopefully there will be more money available to develop Louisville's downtown and riverfront to bring more foot traffic to the "Cite."
The city bureaucracy (I know I'm new here and may not know what I'm talking about) needs to "lighten up" and realize that without some impetus and and a loosening up of some of their fear of urban hipness, the economy is going to remain in the depths of despair. Outdoor and sidewalk cafes, food trucks and food booths bring life and energy to any city. Pedestrian walkways lined with independent boutiques, wine bars, charming taverns, and cutesy stores add life and an urbane zest to any city. (I am not talking about something as commercial as 4th Street Live unfortunately) Zoning laws and Health licenses need to change along with this changing urban world. I know I haven't been in the industry for many years, but often the bureaucratic world is too immersed in paper shuffling to have any creative vision for developing a world class culinary city which Louisville has all the potential to become.
As for the health issues, anyone who has traveled through Latin America or Asia has eaten food with very questionable hygiene. The food was great and we are alive to talk about it. I'm not saying create a health hazard, but we do not need to eat in a sterilized laboratory either.