June 2, 2004
Section: NEIGHBORHOODS
Edition: EE=EAST END
Page: 04A


Wish list for Preston Highway area seeks sidewalks, more lighting
SMITH SCHERI
STAFF

SCHERI SMITH

ssmith@courier-journal.com

The Courier-Journal

Preston Highway north of the Watterson Expressway could become more walker-friendly, better lighted and more attractive now that a coalition of volunteers has a detailed plan showing what people in the area want improved.

The Preston Highway Task Force was formed last year by volunteers from small cities, neighborhoods and businesses along the Preston corridor. They were concerned that parts of the area had deteriorated, and they wanted to encourage improvement.

The task force held two planning meetings this year in conjunction with the Metro Development Authority and the nonprofit Louisville Community Design Center. The result of those sessions and a community survey is a 48-page report that will help people mold their neighborhood, said Mary Rose Evans, a task force member.

"I thought it worked fairly well because residents had so much input in it," Evans said. The report "will give us a starting point, and it will be something to rally around."

The improvement plan includes a possible redesign of Preston Highway that would encourage wider sidewalks, decorative landscaping and turn lanes.

A survey conducted by students at the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville revealed that, in addition to making the area more accessible to foot traffic, people were interested in having more businesses that draw people to the area, such as sit-down restaurants. The task force hopes to begin recruiting those.

The development authority paid for both planning meetings.

Many residents hope to put an end to the crumbling concrete, weeds and the lack of lighting along the street, said Belmar Neighborhood Association President Liz Martin. She said conditions have kept many neighbors from enjoying walks or even shopping there.

"We're going to be able to better the neighborhood," she said. "There's a great sense of collective energy."

But exactly how the community will implement the plan is unclear. Even though residents and business owners know how they want the area to look, the plan is not binding and does not force businesses or new developments to follow it.

Martin said people should not be discouraged, however, because producing the design plan is just the beginning. The next step is to create a series of planning committees that will focus on developing relationships with city officials, developers and businesses, Martin said.

"I think we're sort of at the rock-bottom phase," Martin said. "All we can really do is go up."

Robbie Gibson, president of the Preston Area Business Association, was involved in the plan. Gibson, who is co-owner of the Belmar Flower Shop, said he hopes the plan will help make businesses more visible. "Instead of people just driving through, it will become more of a destination."

Evans, who lives in Parkway Village, said, "We want to put people's energy and enthusiasm into making the area better."

But people need to understand that it may be years before things begin to look different, Martin said.

"It's a long road," she said. "But this corridor is the entranceway to Louisville from our airport. It needs to be a little more attractive."

Next meeting

The Preston Highway Task Force will meet at 6:30 p.m. June 9 at Audubon Traditional Elementary School, 1051 Hess Lane , to discuss the next step in implementing the Preston Corridor Improvement Plan. The meeting is open to the public.