The
Old Louisville Journal
A Monthly Summary of
News and Events in Old Louisville
Published by OLIC, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Corporation
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Volume
30, Issue 2 |
February 2008
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Going Green
By Gary Kleier
Bob, Ann,
John and Nancy are sitting in their favorite restaurant one Friday
evening, enjoying a bottle of Australian Shiraz (shipped 10,000 miles from
Australia) and lightly breaded Tilapia (flown 11,000 miles from China).
Bob and Ann have just seen An Inconvenient Truth and Ann is telling John
and Nancy about it. “That movie really bothered us so we decided to be
more environmentally sensitive. Bob heard that we could save 4% on gas if
we reduced the temperature in the house by 2°. So I immediately set the
thermostat back to 74°. And to save even more we reduced the temperature
in Bob’s Hummer and in my SUV by 2° also. We think this is a great start
but we’re not sure what else to do…….”
If you are less than 40 years of age, you probably don’t
remember the gas crisis of the mid-seventies and the dire warnings of some
scientists that an environmental crisis was inevitable. Even if we
believed the scientists, there was no proof and neither business nor
government wanted to make the drastic changes that scientists were calling
for. The truth is, until then we had never, as a society, even considered
living a “green” life style. As a consequence, we had neither the
technology nor the infrastructure to allow us to do so. Eventually the
crisis eased and the “green” concept moved to the back of our social
consciousness.
Thirty plus years later the issue of being “green” is back
in our minds and this time it is not just that we are paying $3.00 for a
gallon of gas. It may have taken over 30 years, but the scientists have
been proven right. Fortunately, 30 years has also given us time to develop
technology, infrastructure and, for some, a new way of thinking that can
help us move in the right direction…… if we will only pay attention.
And that is the purpose of this column. Hopefully we are
not as environmentally dense as Bob and Ann, but like them, many of us
really are uninformed. So, over the next year or as long as there are
subjects of interest, I will discuss things that you can do to reduce your
impact on the environment, avoid the scams and usually save you some
money. As an architect, much of my emphasis will be on the built
environment. However, I am actively recruiting a wide variety of articles
that will cover all aspects of our lives. Eventually, these articles will
be available on the Old Louisville web site for future reference.
Let’s start on a positive note. An historic district like
Old Louisville can be the most “green” neighborhood in the city. Just
saving one of our historic homes is the equivalent of savings more than 2
million aluminum cans. In addition, the density of Old Louisville (between
10 and 15 dwelling units per acre) means that less energy is required to
provide our infrastructure (utilities, roads, sidewalks, street lights,
etc.) than in the suburbs where the dwelling units are more widely
disbursed (2.5 dwelling units per acre). On the down side, consider the
two houses that recently burned. They could have been saved and rebuilt,
but the city decided to knock them down. Not only did we loose two
historic homes, we threw the equivalent of several million aluminum cans
into a land fill. And if you think that is bad, you should see what is
happening in other neighborhoods. But let’s leave these and other issues
for future articles where we will have more space for discussion.
As I said, I want to provide articles on a variety of
issues. There are a number of items already under consideration, but I
would like your input and feedback. I need to find more individuals with
expertise in areas like automotive, cleaning products, heating & air
conditioning, electrical, etc. I would also like to know what questions or
issues are important to you. Do you have some ideas? Do you know an
expert? Let me hear from you. gjkleier@netsacpe.net
Oh, yes, one more thing. My apologies to any couple named
Bob and Ann who drive a Hummer and an SUV……..
Mark Your Calendars Now!
The Central Park Clean Up
scheduled for
Saturday, April 5

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Editorial Policy: Letters and
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Solving the Truck Problem in Old
Louisville
By Jessica McCarty
Member of West Saint Catherine Neighborhood Association & Chair of Truck
Traffic subcommittee of the Property Improvement Committee

On January 10, 2008, the Property Improvement Committee
unanimously passed a motion asking the Old Louisville Neighborhood
Council to write a letter of support to Representative Meeks,
Representative Horlander, Senator Denise Harper Angel, and all other
Kentucky legislators representing our neighborhood requesting their
action in proposing an amendment to existing Kentucky Administrative
Regulations (KAR) and Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) that currently
permit trucks to use our neighborhood as a cut-through. According to Mr.
Tom Wright, District 5 Maintenance Branch Manager of the Kentucky
Transportation Cabinet, existing KAR and KRS allow all trucks up to
80,000 pounds to travel on roads within a 15-mile radius of any
interstate or parkway regardless of the classification of the road. The
Property Improvement Committee’s proposal is for an amendment to all
applicable KAR and KRS that would allow local and/or municipal
governments to limit access of tractor trailers through National
Historic Districts. Our commonwealth is home to over 300 historic
districts, including Old Louisville. We feel that this proposal will be
attractive to many communities in the state, not just urban populations.
However, as many neighbors have been working on the
problem of truck traffic for years, a multifaceted solution is best.
Therefore, the Truck Traffic subcommittee of the Property Improvement
Committee is asking all neighbors and neighborhood associations to do
their part. First, as a neighborhood, we should request that truck speed
limits be lowered to 25 MPH on all roads in Old Louisville. This can
best be accomplished by contacting Mr. Ted Pullen, Director of Public
Works and Assets for Louisville Metro at 502-574-5810 or Ted.Pullen@louisvilleky.gov
to request this change in speed limit. Second, should First and Brook
change to two-way streets, as proposed, we should then request of Mr.
Pullen that the lighting sequences on West Saint Catherine, Oak, Hill,
and other east-west corridors in Old Louisville be changed from existing
sequential green lights. Changing the light sequence will provide
another disincentive for large trucks to use our neighborhood as a
cut-through.
We can also use existing KAR to argue for the
prohibition of truck traffic on many of our streets in Old Louisville.
Several sections of 603 KAR 5:250 (See Selection of National Truck
Network highways and reasonable access to these highways; http://www.lrc.ky.gov/kar/603/005/250.htm) disallow
truck traffic on any route were specific safety hazards are present,
existing roads are insufficient for truck maneuvers, or traffic
accidents take place. These sections are provided verbatim below:
“6) A route where a combination of two (2) or more of
the following conditions on any segment of the route is of a magnitude
to constitute a clearly-evident safety hazard;
(a) There exist high degrees of horizontal or vertical
curvature;
(b) The roadway shoulders are less than four (4) feet
in width; or
(c) There is a narrow bridge on the road segment;
(7) A route on which the turning radii of urban
intersections are insufficient, as measured by template or on-site
observation, to permit safe turning maneuvers by an STAA vehicle or a
route on which the operation of an STAA vehicle constitutes a safety
hazard to other vehicle operators or public or private property by
reason of vehicle off-tracking or opposing lane encroachment; or
(8) A route on which the incidence of traffic
accidents is of a magnitude to indicate that any portion of the route
is unsafe for use by STAA vehicles.”
Clearly, several streets meet these limitations,
including West Saint Catherine, Magnolia, and others. The Truck Traffic
subcommittee of the Property Improvement Committee has already forwarded
this information to Ms. Donna Sanders, Assistant to Councilman Unseld,
who in turn relayed the information to Rep. Meeks. However, it is also
necessary for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Louisville Metro
Government to be aware of existing regulations that provide for limiting
truck traffic. Therefore, all members of the neighborhood, neighborhood
associations, and the OLNC are encouraged to contact Mr. Tom Wright
(Tom.Wright@ky.gov),
District 5 Maintenance Branch Manager of the Kentucky Transportation
Cabinet, and Mr. Ted Pullen
(Ted.Pullen@louisvilleky.gov)
, Director of Public Works for Louisville Metro to inform them of this
existing regulation. The heavy truck traffic traveling through Old
Louisville is an important issue that can only be solved through
applying pressure to both the metro and state governments.
Additional Information: Websites of Kentucky Legislators
representing Old Louisville:
Representative Reginald Meeks:
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/legislator/h042.htm
Representative Dennis Horlander:
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/legislator/h040.htm
Senator Denise Angel Harper:
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/legislator/S035.htm

The Old Louisville Neighborhood Council is Your Way to
Get Involved!
The Old Louisville Neighborhood Council is a
neighborhood agency dedicated to the promotion and upkeep of the
neighborhood, and it is open to all residents of Old Louisville.
Meetings take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Old Louisville Information
Center in Central Park on the fourth Tuesday of every month (unless
otherwise noted), and it is a way for you to have a voice in what is
happening in your neighborhood. If you have an issue that you would like
discussed, please email president Chuck Anderson at pcchuck@bellsouth.net
one week prior to the meeting with your item so it can be placed on the
agenda. Also, if you belong to a neighborhood association, please ensure
that the president or other representative for the organization attends
these meetings, as a portion of each meeting is devoted to reports given
by the different neighborhood associations. In addition, updates are
given on recent meetings of the Crime and Safety Committee, Zoning and
Land Use Committee, and Property Improvement Committee, and their
meetings are open to you as well. This is the ideal way for you and your
neighborhood association to keep others abreast of what is happening in
your organization while finding out what else is happening in the
neighborhood, not to mention, it is the perfect way for you to
contribute to the neighborhood. If you would like more information,
please contact Linda Ewen at olnc@bellsouth.net.
Why not start the new year off right with a commitment
to start attending monthly meetings of the Old Louisville Neighborhood
Council if you are not doing so already? Meetings in 2008 will take
place on January 22, February 26, March 25, April 29, May 27, June 24,
July 22, August 26, September 23, October 28, November 25 and December
16 (special date for holiday)..
In December, a new board and officers were elected for
the Old Louisville Information Center and the Old Louisville
Neighborhood Council. The results were:
2008
Old Louisville Information Center Officers and Board

The 4th Avenue Coffee House
The next event will be on Thursday, 2/21/08 at 6:30 pm.
February’s music program: Interfaith Singers ((so far we have booked:
local Tibetan Monks and a local Jewish singing group).
4th Avenue United Methodist Church
Coffee House, 6:30 pm



The Magnolia apartment complex renovation
at the southwest corner of 2nd Street and Magnolia Avenue is nearing
completion.
The
existing structure was built in 1924 for a telephone company exchange. A
major addition to the building occurred in 1928. More recently the
building housed the Holy Angels Academy School.
The property-building was purchased during the summer of
2004 by a partnership represented by Robert Young. Architect Mark Bailey
Associates was retained to prepare plans and specifications and the $2.4
million dollar renovation began during February 2007.
The structure was originally built exceptionally strong to
house telephone company equipment.
The renovation of the building includes eighteen (18) one
and two bedroom units occurring on three (3) levels and served via an
elevator.
Architect Bailey’s planning includes third level roof
terrace units, two-level townhouse type units, and lower level patio
units.
All units are equipped with complete kitchens, a bathroom
serving all bedrooms, and a washer and dryer. Security is provided and the
building has a sprinkler system.
The renovation has been under review by the Louisville
Landmarks & Preservation Districts Commission, the Kentucky Historic
Preservation Office, and the National Park Service. It is an historic tax
credit development.
Upon completion, the owners and the architect welcome all
in the neighborhood to an OPEN HOUSE so as to visit, tour and inspect the
renovation. The Open House is Sunday, February 17, 2008, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00
p.m. All visitors are invited to enter via the 2nd Street front door with
address 1408.
The Manager of The Magnolia, Shannon Stotz will welcome
all and be your tour guide.
The controlled off-street parking area to the north of the
building will provide for spaces with landscaping.
Mr. Young reports that there is a keen interest in the
units and that seven units have been rented prior to completion.
New Carpet Installed in the Old Louisville
Information Center
Councilman George Unseld recently provided $2,300 to Metro
Parks for the installation of new carpet within the meeting room of the
Information Center. We estimate the old carpet was in place close to 30
years-it served us well.
Many thanks to Councilman Unseld for underwriting this
improvement to our Information Center.
BJB
Restoration & Remediation
Masonry Historic Painting
Mold remediation
Tuck pointing Cornice repair
Detecting, cleaning
Waterproofing & caulking wood repair Removal & Stucco Plaster treatment
Dennis Bolton
502-582-2833 office
502-648-7682 cell
bjbbolton@aol.com
785 S. Shelby St.
Louisville, Kentucky 40203
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February 2007
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday
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Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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1
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922
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2
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922
Ground Hog Day
winter is half over |
3
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4
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5
Mardi Gras
(major celebrations in many O.L. pubs
--most famously the Mag Bar) |
6
Ash Wednesday
atone for previous night |
7
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8
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922
|
9
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922
|
10 |
11
Garvin Gate NA |
12
|
13 |
14
PIC Meeting
7:00 p.m.
OLIC
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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15
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922
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16
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922
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17
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18
President's Day
celebrate no government services
Crime & Safety
7 p.m., OLIC
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19
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20
3rd St. NA 7p.m. |
21
Toonerville NA
St. Philip Chapel,
7 p.m. |
22
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922 |
23
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922
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24
SSNA 5:00 pm.
Kling Center
Junk Pick Up Week
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25
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26
OLIC 6
OLNC 7
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27
Central Park West NA, 7 p.m.
Haskins Hall |
28 ZALU 7p.m. |
29
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The Old Louisville Journal is
published monthly by the Old Louisville Information Center, Inc. (OLIC),
a 501(c)(3) corporation, incorporated in 1984, for the purpose of
receiving tax deductible contributions. OLIC is affiliated with the Old
Louisville Neighborhood Council (OLNC), a 501 (c) (4) non-profit
association incorporated in 1976 to serve as the recognized voice of the
Old Louisville Neighborhood.
Submit Journal
contributions to the Editor:
Old Louisville Information Center
1340 S. Fourth St., Louisville, KY 40208.
Phone: (502) 635-5244
E-mail: olnc@bellsouth.net
Advertising rates available upon request.
Please submit “Letters to the Editor” to the above address.
The 15th of each month is deadline for submission of all ads and articles.
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