|
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Preston group tries to
engineer area's revival
By
Scheri Smith |
|
| The Norfolk Southern train
bridge over Preston Highway near Audubon Park could be dressed up as
part of a revitalization in the area. The bridge is in the heart of the first phase of a public-improvement plan designed by the Preston Corridor Planning Group, a coalition of small cities, neighborhoods and businesses working to improve a portion of Preston Highway north of the Watterson Expressway. The group unveiled conceptual drawings last week that show the bridge decorated with metal artwork in shapes ranging from the fleur-de-lis to thoroughbreds. The idea is that metal artwork will be attached to the bridge, which will make it look better and make it seem more inviting, said Liz Martin, president of the Belmar Neighborhood Association and leader of the planning group. Martin said the viaduct is an eyesore because of rust and peeling paint. She said people want to see it change, but no definite plans can be made without permission from Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern. "We feel like if they saw the viaduct and saw what we're planning to do and that we're serious about it, they'll agree," Martin said. "Before we spend any money, we really need the railroad in the conversation." Metro Councilman Jim King, who represents the area, has been negotiating with Norfolk Southern officials. Robin Chapman, a Norfolk Southern spokesman, said the railroad has no objection to the group decorating the viaduct, but he said officials want to see a detailed plan first and want to approve the materials. The planning group paid for a few conceptual designs using money it raised through the sale of "Louisville A to Z," a children's book written by Martin and her husband, Monte Martin. Liz Martin said it is too early to know what the total cost of the project will be. Drew Shryock, assistant director of the Metro Development Authority, attended last week's meeting with the group and agreed the train viaduct needs to be cleaned up. Shryock said that when a neighborhood looks good, it attracts new residents and other businesses -- two of the main goals of the planning group. "The bottom line is, how can we have an impact and improve the Preston corridor?" he said. The viaduct was one of the main things that people in the planning group complained about, said Mary Rose Evans, a Parkway Village city commissioner and group member. She said it simply looks bad. "We want it to look more like a neighborhood," she said of the area. "We thought we would take the worst point and make it the nicest point -- a focal point." Decorating the Norfolk Southern bridge is just one component of the first phase of the Preston Corridor improvement plan. Others include decorative plantings, extensive brick work and new sidewalks. Louisville has set aside $130,000 to pay for improvements, and King has set aside $40,000 for the project, which stretches from Hess Lane to Phillips Lane. When a neighborhood bands together to create a more inviting atmosphere, every one wins, said Gene Glaser, owner of Glaser Collision Center on Preston. He said that, as a business owner, he supports and applauds any attempts to make the area look better. "In order to bring new growth to the community, we've got to clean the area up," he said. "If we can bring the standards up over here, I think it's a growth opportunity for all of us." Reporter Scheri Smith can be reached at (502) 582-4133. |
|
