Deal reached on saving some Iron Quarter buildings

I look forward to serving crow to those of you who believe this.

Like Doc Crow's, maybe, which is looking mighty good in one of those "dilapidated," "un-fixable" buildings that didn't happen to be part of Blue's set?

The buildings on the far western half of the block are far from dilapidated and as far as I know were never considered for demolition.

And if the crow your serving is coming from Doc Crow's, I'll pass.

I look forward to serving crow to those of you who believe this.

Like Doc Crow's, maybe, which is looking mighty good in one of those "dilapidated," "un-fixable" buildings that didn't happen to be part of Blue's set?

Robin I couldn't agree with you more. Funny thing, the buildings were described as "jewels" by Todd when he bought them and announced his plan in 2007. Ah, but that was 4 years ago, before the real estate boom collapsed under the weight of rotting mortgages and we all know what that did to the rest of us. Once the market collapsed and no one was buying his overpriced Merchantile Lofts, Todd discovered that the buildings were collapsing and needed to be turned into surface parking lots (which actually can generate a fair amount of revenue). So, I'll buy Robin's first round in the restaurant or bar that opens in these unsafe and unsaveable buildings.

P.S. I like food.

My problem with this fiasco is that those in favor of preserving the buildings fight to keep them, even if it means they remain in their dilapidated state. The city would be much better served by Blue developing them than leaving them the way they are in their current state. At least they would be safe and bring in some money to the community, including local independent businesses that serve the area. But my god, they've been there 100 years if they are so historically important to so many people, how come noone ever restored them??

Bingo.
I could never understand the antipathy towards Todd Blue. I remember these buildings were ramshackle in the '70s / '80s, nothing was done to maintain them by the (then) owners, presumably because only an idiot would put money into a project without a solid plan for ROI, unless they were wealthy philanthropists who could afford the largesse. This community was perfectly willing to let them fall down, but when Mr. Blue's outfit belly's up to the bar and buys the land to rightfully do with it whatever he damned well thinks can create an ROI within the law - oh, THEN they come out of the woodwork to demonize him. Anyone who hasn't persued the Encyclopedia of Louisville should do it with a box of tissues handy and see how much worthwhile architectural heritage has been lost in the last 40 - 50 years. It's tragic what we've lost. None of it was because of people like Blue trying to make an honest living and, if possible, fortune. It's because Louisvillians did nothing to promote a better plan and to raise the private funds to allow for the financially self-sustainable continuation of many buildings. I think Mayor Fischer should apologize publicly on behalf of the residents of Louisville to Todd Blue for all the crap he's had to deal with over this, as well as thank him for working with the Brown-Wilson group to come up with an alternative that makes financial sense.

Yes! Someone else feels exactly how I feel about this subject!

I think Mayor Fischer should apologize publicly on behalf of the residents of Louisville to Todd Blue for all the crap he's had to deal with over this, as well as thank him for working with the Brown-Wilson group to come up with an alternative that makes financial sense.

Actually I think Mayor Fischer should apologize to the citizens of Louisville for ever considering agreeing to having these buildings demolished. Mr. Blue should apologize for trying to do a bait and switch with his plans for these buildings and trying to let them deteriorate to the point demolition was the only option.

There was no screaming a crying going on over the past (?) years while these buildings rotted, but God forbid someone tear a few of them down.

There actually has been a public outcry ever since Mr. Blue started letting the buildings deteriorate instead is trying to preserve them. They tried to get officials to force him to do minimal work to keep water out of the buildings without success. This was probably not done because of his political connections.

From my understanding, Blue was going to demolish a couple of the really neglected buildings, turn them into temporary lots until the space could be developed, and refurbish the salvageable buildings.

Up until this agreement was reached Mr. Blue was planning on demolishing all of them to make a giant hole in the buildings along main street for a surface parking lot. Only because of this agreement are any of them being saved and he is now planning and tearing down two of them for parking.

Without getting into the pros and cons...although I may weigh in later...I find it interesting that the word "preservation" is bantered about in lieu of the word "restoration". In my mind those are two entirely different animals. It's one thing to "preserve" something, it's quite something else to "restore" it.

You're certainly correct there's a big difference between preservation and restoration and in this case both of them apply. They are going to do preservation to preserve the style, architecture and character of the buildings and they're going to do restoration to restore them to being useful buildings in today's world. The restoration will basically be done by gutting the interiors and installing new plumbing, electrical, etc. to make them usable for the clients.

Just wondering, how did our food forum ever get this off track to be discussing the preservation of historic buildings in Louisville?

There actually has been a public outcry ever since Mr. Blue started letting the buildings deteriorate instead is trying to preserve them. They tried to get officials to force him to do minimal work to keep water out of the buildings without success. This was probably not done because of his political connections.

Sure there was, but where was it all the years before. Everyone was fine while they were sitting around with no plans for development or demo, but freaked out when Blue started talking about doing something with them.

Up until this agreement was reached Mr. Blue was planning on demolishing all of them to make a giant hole in the buildings along main street for a surface parking lot. Only because of this agreement are any of them being saved and he is now planning and tearing down two of them for parking.

I haven't read that anywhere.

The original plans were this:

COBALT VENTURES, LLC AND TODD L. BLUE
ANNOUNCE “IRON QUARTER” AS FIRST SPORTS ANCHORED DEVELOPMENT NEAR ARENA SITE IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE

Retail, Office and Dining Experience to be Constructed on Main Street for Projected Cost of $50 Million; Lifestyle-Oriented Shopping Proposed for 12-14 Story ‘Modern Vintage’ Complex

Louisville, KY – Cobalt Ventures, LLC, lead by urban developer Todd L. Blue, has announced plans to build the first sports anchored development in downtown Louisville called The Iron Quarter. The Iron Quarter will incorporate two thirds of the city’s Main Street block between First and Second Streets. As Louisville’s newest and most distinctive cosmopolitan experience, The Iron Quarter will serve as a major gateway into downtown and will encompass retail, office and dining options for the intellectually-savvy urban consumer.


With a projected cost of $50 million, The Iron Quarter will preserve the character of the existing time honored architectural building facades for the retail experience punctuated with a new office tower rising from a state-of-the-art parking structure. Iron Quarter is being designed as an authentic and pedestrian-oriented, multi-use complex with a ‘modern vintage’ feel. More than 500 parking spaces will be incorporated into the context of the building with designated areas for commercial tenants, retail shoppers, valet service and concierge amenities.


http://www.ironquarter.com/fresh_press/pr1.html

Justin, you're certainly correct that is the original plan that was proposed for the new site. Nobody objected, as a matter of fact they cheered them the facades of the buildings were going to be preserved! There was certainly no need for a public outcry to save the buildings.

When this proposal fell through the buildings were just left to deteriorate. As a matter fact one of them (the last one on the block) started to fall down and demolition was allowed. If they had sat there like this for several years Mr. Blue proposed earlier this year to demolish them all to make a surface level parking lot. Public outcry began several years ago when the buildings were allowed to deteriorate and peaked when the proposal to demolish them was brought forward.

All I'll say is that the absolute LAST thing this city needs is ANOTHER surface parking lot. From an architectural standpoint, surface lots are gaping eyesores that break the continuity of a cityscape.

Query in your mind the "prettier" downtowns is mid- and large cities, and you'll find a dearth of surface lots. Many mid-sized cities that are in the midst of a downtown renaissance start the redevelopment by turning surface lots into something more useful and appealing to the eyes. Parking garages, yes, but surface lots, no. If parking is truly a need, garages are more architecturally appeaing, do not destroy the continuity of the cityscape, and can house things like offices, restaurants, and shops within. Surface lots, by contrast, are ugly and inefficient, and this city has already lost way too many historic buildings in order to create surface lots. Search around on Broken Sidewalk for numerous examples of this.

For example, I cringe everytime I walk by the corner of 6th and Main and see that gaping hole of a surface lot (same block as Humana). The general area between 1st and 6th and Jefferson and Broadway is already plaqued with surface lots. This city does not need more.

Downtown Louisville, and the rest of the city for that matter, doesn't need any more parking. Verily, we have plenty. What our city needs more of are 1) people willing to leave the house 2-4 minutes earlier to allow them to locate one of the bazillion existing spots on streets and in garages and 2) people willing to walk an extra (gasp) block or 3 from their parking spot to their destination.

Agreed. It's a joke to park in Louisville. There's cheap parking everywhere. Of course I live in a place where a monthly parking space costs $300-350.

Agreed. It's a joke to park in Louisville. There's cheap parking everywhere. Of course I live in a place where a monthly parking space costs $300-350.

Not when there is something going on at the arena. It is a $10-15 minimum to park anywhere close and it is a pain when I have to park 1/2 mile away to eat a restaurant because of a concert or ballgame. The cost of eating at Hillbilly Tea on a arena event night is almost doubled.

While I agree surface lots are not ideal, they are nice because they can be use for other functions. I don't know why more festivals, concerts, fairs, or farmers markets don't set up on surface lots.

Louisville Historical monthly meeting is being held this weekend at O'Sheas on Main. Timely meeting. As members, we got to tour the buildings years ago before they were allowed to deteriorate so much.

I'm pretty sure the surface parking lot would have been a temporary measure, probably to eliminate some expenses and liability on the buildings until something else started.

I'm pretty sure the surface parking lot would have been a temporary measure, probably to eliminate some expenses and liability on the buildings until something else started.

How are you pretty sure?

Blue had one plan, the economy turned, and then the surface parking lot plan started making a lot of sense (profit with little investment). There are too many variables involved to say that Blue was "pretty sure" going to do anything.

I can't establish how I feel about Mr. Blue. I think this goes back to the fact that at the end of the day he's an entrepreneur. I don't want to say he's only in it for the money, but that's the currency he trades in. But, I do have to give him props for being willing to work with the preservationists to preserve the buildings. Seeing as he was the rightful property owner, he didn't have to do that.

But, back to the parking lot. It sure seemed that Blue was stuck with the buildings seeing as his original plan was not going to work (in this economy), but he also couldn't find a buyer at the price he wanted (which was too high considering he had let the buildings further deteriorate). We don't know what would have happened had the surface lot been built. That's all speculation. But what we do know is that surface lot would have meant the end for at least some of those buildings. And that's a fact. I barter in fact, not speculation.

Fischer looks the fool in this whole situation. He's in way over his head as mayor. He's all big picture without the ability to get us to that picture or, more importantly, the ability to run the city on a day-to-day basis.

Finally, and meant with humor, every time I read/write/say "Mr. Blue" I envision him as a character in Clue, the board game.

Sorry, just have to beat this drum again....
There'll be no real progress in the city until we start seriously looking at a workable REAL mass transit system.
Thank you.
(Folds notes and leaves the soapbox.)

Fischer looks the fool in this whole situation. He's in way over his head as mayor. He's all big picture without the ability to get us to that picture or, more importantly, the ability to run the city on a day-to-day basis.

I was with you Matthew, up until the statement above. Can you elaborate on how Fischer looks the fool in all of this? Can you give any examples of how Fischer is having issues running the city day-to-day.

I only ask b/c I think the new Mayor has done a pretty bang-up job during his time in office so far. I don't claim to be ultra entrenched in Louisville politics, but what I have seen of the Fischer administration, I like.

DD