By: Andrew Owen, Louisville Metro Councilman, District 9
I thought it might be a good time to reflect on the last 20+ months and to take stock of a few of the things we have accomplished together in the 9th district. I came into office wanting to focus on improving public infrastructure and on that front, we have all benefitted by the timing of some significant transportation projects that were in the pipeline long before I became your Councilman.
- Very early on, we spent a considerable amount of time discussing the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) plan to resurface and restripe Frankfort Avenue with the goal of slowing down traffic and improving safety for both automobiles and pedestrians. While we have significant work left to do, particularly in the area of improving pedestrian mobility and safety, I am proud of the fact that we were able to discuss the merits of the “right-sizing” project in a respectful manner and end up with a plan that achieved broad consensus. We were also able to complete what was a complex, primarily overnight construction program, with as little inconvenience as possible.
- At around the same time we were able to partner with Evolve Kentucky and the Sierra Club of Kentucky to install a new EV charging station in the Metro-owned parking lot at Frankfort Avenue and Keats. While it is still a modest number, we now have 6 free EV charging ports available for drivers along Frankfort Avenue in Clifton and Crescent Hill. Two each at the Irish Rover, Crescent Hill Public Library, and the public parking lot mentioned above.
- Earlier this summer, the CSX Railroad company finally implemented its long awaited “at grade” crossing improvement project from New Main Street out to St. Matthews. These crossings had been in terrible disrepair for years, and despite what was a very difficult few weeks of street closings, logistics and constituent communications, we now have rails crossings that are safer for cars, bicycles, pedestrians and wheelchairs.
- In the past few weeks KYTC finally broke ground on and completed the resurfacing and restriping of Brownsboro Road from Mellwood Avenue to Chenoweth Lane. While there have been some difficulties with traffic congestion in the area near Chenoweth Elementary School, that traffic has primarily been related to the increased student enrollment and more car riders at the school. Through the joint efforts of JCPS, KYTC, Metro Public Works and our office, we are making incremental progress on both morning and afternoon drive times and I am confident we can continue to improve the situation. Otherwise, I believe the rightsizing has been a tremendous success.
- Soon we will see the completion of a new section of sidewalk on Bickel Road between S. Ewing Avenue nearly to the intersection of S. Jane Street. This new sidewalk required, among other things, a public easement agreement with property owners and makes our neighborhoods that much more connected. We have quite a few more infrastructure improvements currently in the pipeline including the repair and or replacement of almost $150,000 worth of sidewalks in the 9th district and numerous sets of driver feedback speed signs and speedhumps aimed at slowing traffic and two-way street transitions.
Indeed the most important lesson I have learned from my short time in office is that government and public service are primarily about coalition and consensus building, facilitating a safe platform for stakeholder communications, and the management of people and expectations. That is not to say there is no room for visionaries in this role or that cutting edge ideas aren’t welcome, but the meat and potatoes of the job is simply improving people’s lives incrementally by focusing on the simple task at hand.