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 1 |
January 2008
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Fire Destroys History
By Herb Fink
Property Improvement Committee Chair
We lost another part of our historic preservation district
Wednesday afternoon, December 12, 2007.
1221 S. Brook St., located just south of Toonerville
Trolley Park, was a boarded-up residential building which had been vacant
for some time.
Apparently boards were removed from the rear openings and
vagrants entered the building eventually starting a fire on the third
floor.
The fire consumed the structure and Metro Government soon
after ordered the building to be demolished after declaring it a health
and safety hazard.
According to Deborah Richards of the Metro Landmarks
staff, the building was built during the early 1890s and was of Italianate
architecture.
Recent PIC meetings with William Schreck, Director,
Louisville Metro Department of Codes and Regulations, noted that Metro
Code Enforcement officers had made 68 inspections on this property over an
extended period of time and that $9,000 in fines have been placed on the
property. A court bench warrant had been ordered on the property owner.
This is yet another property which desperately needed to
be removed from the hands of the “do nothings” and placed into the hands
of one who will protect and renovate the property.
This is the second historic residential structure that has
been lost in Old Louisville recently due to neglect and fire.
Old Louisville has 45 such structures which are
susceptible to similar lost.
If you own property and/or live adjacent to a building
engulfed in fire, it is a frightening experience.
It is important that priority be given to rid our
neighborhood of these cancerous situations.
Property Improvement Report
By Herb Fink
PIC Committee Chair
Recent Old Louisville Historic Landmarks and
Preservation District Architectural Review Committee reviews and
Landmarks staff reviews include the following sites:
Robert Lanter
1215 Garvin Place
Replacement of fourteen (14) existing non-original aluminum windows
on the first and second floors of the south and west facades with 2 over
2 wood composite double hung windows. The style of the replacement
windows replicates the design of windows in the surrounding homes.
Estimated project cost: $18,000.
Charles E. Kenner
1701 South 4th Street
Removal of existing leaning rear yard brick wall to the existing
footing and construct a replacement brick wall to be built to existing
replication using brick to match as close as possible to the original
existing brick. Project cost - $8,600.
Ruby Courson
109 West Ormsby Avenue
Removal of an unapproved and inappropriate steel door and frame in
an existing door opening on the west side of the house and construct a
new door and frame to relate to the style of the house. Also, exterior
stair and landing improvements. Estimated project cost: $600.
Carol Worsham
1357 South 2nd Street
Install new metal railing on front concrete steps leading to
sidewalk. Estimate project cost: $340.
1125-127 East Oak Street
Applicant: Adam O. Tatem, Jr.
Owner: Dean Hohl
Request for approval to install new signage for the new Pizza
Parlor. Sign to be wood carved, 44" in diameter, mounted flush to the
front facade above the existing canvas awning, and to be lit externally,
using light that is focused on the sign alone and des not bleed or cause
glare. Final approval at time of permit. Cost unknown at this time.
1251 South 4th Street
Central Park Lofts
Owner: Central Park Lofts, LLC
An amended application to modify the existing building window design
from predominantly glass block to clear, fixed in place and casement
windows on all four (4) sides of the building. The top of the window
openings will replicate the original horizontal glass block character.
The window design was approved by the Old Louisville ARC.
2008
Old Louisville Information Center Officers and Board
OFFICE |
NAME |
ADDRESS |
TEL NO. |
EMAIL ADDRESS |
Chair |
Chuck Anderson |
1384 S. 3rd St. 40208 |
636-3396
583-7020 |
pcchuck@bellsouth.net |
Vice-Chair |
Ken Herndon |
101 W. Ormsby 40203 |
634-3163
W 583-0794 |
kenherndonllc@hotmail.com. |
Secretary |
Steve Sizemore |
444 S. 5th St., Suite 300, 40202 |
574-8272 |
Steven.Sizemore@louisvilleky.gov] |
Treasurer |
Becky Poe |
1379 S. 1st St. 40208 |
235-8805 |
bpoe@insightbb.com] |
OLIC Board |
Lee Jones |
1161 S 2nd St. 40203 |
540-5080 |
none |
OLIC Board |
Janice Theriot |
1469 St. James Ct. 40208 |
637-7275 |
jtheriot@pzgp.com |
OLIC Board |
Gary Kleier |
624 Floral Terrace 40208 |
634-1006 |
gjkleier@iglou.com |
OLIC Board |
Don Driskell |
1335 S. 1st St. 40208 |
727-0280 |
dd_n_ky@yahoo.com |
OLIC Board |
Sonia Perez |
523 W. St. Catherine 40203 |
582-1872
812-345-4148 cell |
soniaperez@mavercikresidentialmortgage.com |
Administrative Assistant: Linda Ewen
The Old Louisville Information Center is an
incorporated, non-profit, 501-C3 organization.
The Old Louisville Information Center is committed
to promoting the Old Louisville neighborhood and its unique
architectural and historical characteristics by serving as a source of
information and reference.
Friends of Central Park was established as a
committee of the Information Center in November 2003. Its purpose is to
raise funds to maintain and improve Central Park.
The Old Louisville Neighborhood Council, the
umbrella organization for 14 block associations in Old Louisville, also
operates in the Information Center.
The Old Louisville Journal, the neighborhood
newsletter, is published monthly by the Information Center. It is in
its 29th year of continuous publication.

Councilman George Unseld attended the premiere of the neighborhood mural
at the Police Substation in Central Park.
ALL YEAR LONG
The Visitors Center in Historic Old Louisville at
218 West Oak Street continues with their wildly popular "Ghost Old
Louisville Tour." Tours aboard the 13-passenger coach depart every
Friday at 7:30 p.m. throughout the year. Tickets for the $25, 90-minute,
narrated tours can be reserved by calling 502-637-2922 or go online at
www.ghostsofoldlouisville.com. David Dominé can be
reached at 502-718-2764 or davidram13@iglou.com.
TourLouisville also offers a regular walking tour of the neighborhood
that departs the Visitors Center at 218 West Oak every Saturday at 11:00
a.m. Please call if you are interested in volunteering your acting or
driving services.
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Two-Way Streets –
In Our Neighborhood?
By Philip J. DiBlasi, President
Toonerville Trolley NA
For years, there have been safety issues that have
revolved around the traffic patterns on Brook and First Streets. These
streets were made one-way in the 1950s as part of, then popular, concepts
that urban neighborhoods were places to drive through on your way to
somewhere else. As the years have passed and Old Louisville became, what
some may call, an urban frontier, evolved into a residential neighborhood
and is becoming the truly elegant neighborhood it once was – we live with
a horrible relic of the 1950s – one-way streets.
Toonerville Trolley Neighbor-hood Association has
taken it upon itself to work on improving the quality of life in our
community and has discussed the traffic issue for several years. We firmly
believe that changing the traffic patterns of one-way streets and Brook
and First back to the historically correct (as originally planned) two-way
streets will improve the quality of live in our neighborhood. Here is a
bit of our reasoning:
Safety and Security: It has been shown
that two-way streets slow traffic. At present, one can drive nearly 50 mph
to "make" the lights on these one-way streets. This high-speed traffic
makes it dangerous for children and other living things – including
vehicular traffic traveling on cross streets.
Two way streets both are more secure and feel more
secure than one-way streets. Most of this has to do with the way
traffic flows on one-way streets, and is easily observable on 1st Street
at night. The traffic on a one-way street comes in waves. All the traffic
comes at one time and then there is nothing for a couple of minutes and
then another wave and then nothing. Two-way streets have less of this wave
effect. If there is any affect, then at least there are two waves from
opposite directions keeping more eyes on the street. Also with one-way
streets, one side of a building is always hidden from view (the side
opposite from where the traffic is coming from). Criminals can hide on
that side of a building when traffic is coming and then quickly reappear.
In addition, people driving on two-way streets are more observant in
general, they move at a slower rate of speed so they see more. Since
traffic is slower on two-way streets (at night, not so much at rush hour
when its pretty much bumper to bumper anyway), this also has a bonus
affect of making the street more pedestrian friendly. That encourages
people to walk along the streets adding more eyes and ears, which reduce
crime. This pedestrian friendly business is also bolstered by the added
feeling of security that comes from the more eyes on the street effect of
two-way streets. These phenomena are very well documented in Jane Jacobs’
book, Death and Life of Great American Cities.
Historically these streets have been
two-way; it is part of the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council’s Master
Plan to have them revert to two-way streets. As our neighborhood becomes
more like its original historical residential and commercial community,
why not make the traffic patterns historically correct?
Brook and First now terminate at the University
of Louisville, because of UofL expansion, they no longer are
through fares, why then do we need to propagate the one-way street plans
of the 1950s in a 21st century urban environment? Especially now, that
they work even less effectively than when they were put into place.
Two-way streets are much more convenient than
one-way streets. It is much easier to find your way on a two-way
street. If you do not know exactly the address and you find you should
have turned left instead of right, all you have to do is turn around and
go the way you came. On a one-way street, you have to go around the block,
usually around four blocks if all of the adjoining streets are one-way.
The problem is compounded when you do not know if the location you want is
one block back or two. Most people will go the two blocks (adding at least
two more blocks to the trip - this is the stuff road rage is made from) to
err on the side of caution. Because if they go back only one block and are
still wrong then its usually another four blocks to go back the additional
one block in the first place.
This convenience factor is the reason there is so
much traffic on alleys in Old Louisville. People cut through the alleys
because going around the block usually involves four blocks. Even if you
know where your location is, there are still extra blocks to travel
because the closest cross street may be going in the wrong direction. So
most locals will take an alley to go the direction they want, increasing
the traffic in the alleys and increasing the risk to neighbors in the
alleys who are there taking out the garbage or walking their dog.
Proposed I-65 improvement: if these
streets are two-way by the time the state begins redesigning the exits in
Old Louisville and University of Louisville area, the traffic patterns can
mesh.
Now, is where the rubber hits the road…
The two-way streets issue was agreed to by the
membership of Toonerville then, it was taken to the Old Louisville
Neighborhood Council where it received unanimous approval. Representatives
met with Councilman Unseld and a feasibility study shows that it can be
done.
We will have to get approximately 75% of the
landowners on Brook and First Streets to sign a petition in support of
turning Brook and First Streets back into two-way streets.
We have just started the petition process. I would
like you to think about the issue and lend your support to it. I hope it
will make our neighborhood a better place to live.
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printers of the Old Louisville Journal |
Editorial Policy: Letters and
articles submitted to The Old Louisville Journal may be edited with regard
to space and/or content. Letters to the Editor must be signed with a
verifiable signature and address
|
The 4th Avenue Coffee House
The next event will be on Thursday, 1/17/08
from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
4th Avenue United Methodist Church
Coffee House, 6:30 pm
Don’t
forget! "ADVENTURES IN NEW KENTUCKY COOKING with the Bluegrass Peasant"
by Old Louisville author David Domine will hit the shelves late this
month in time for the St James Court Art Show. The 184-page, hardcover
book will feature color photographs and more than a hundred recipes
showcasing the bounty of Kentucky kitchens and local farmers. David is a
food writer and restaurant reviewer for Kentucky Monthly and Arts Across
Kentucky magazines, and he has put together this collection of unique
recipes after years of traveling the backroads and byways of the
Bluegrass in search of the perfect meal. To purchase your autographed
copy, look for David at the art show or stop by the Visitors Center in
Historic Old Louisville at 218 West Oak Street (502.637.2922 ). You can
also check your favorite book store or online book seller. Watch the Old
Louisville Journal and local newspapers for dates of upcoming signings
and appearances. For more information, contact McClanahan Publishing
House at (800) 544-6959 or
books@kybooks.com. ISBN 978-0-913383-97-1 Price: $24.95
Here’s a preview of one of David’s most popular
recipes:
In Kentucky, it’s been said that we’ll try splashing
bourbon on almost anything, so it’s not surprising to find a wealth of
whiskey-inspired dishes across the state. However, little by little,
bourbon is finding its way into more and more recipes across the nation.
Similar to brandy in character, a well-aged Bourbon can be used in many
main course dishes, not to mention in an endless variety of desserts,
sides and sauces. Used as a marinade for lean beef tenderloin, bourbon
works as a natural tenderizer and flavor enhancer. For a great
combination, try Laura’s Lean Beef and Maker’s Mark bourbon in this
recipe.
Six to eight 4-ounce filet mignons
1 cup bourbon
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 tablespoons brown mustard
¾ cup heavy cream
Lay the filets in a single layer in a shallow dish and pour in the
bourbon and lemon juice. Place the dish in the refrigerator and let
marinate for at least four hours, turning each filet over at least once
to ensure an even marinade. To cook the filets, melt the butter in a
well-seasoned skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the beef from the
marinade and pat dry with a paper towel. Season each side with salt and
rub with a bit of the brown sugar. Once the butter has started to
sizzle, sear each filet for about 4 minutes on each side. Remove the
steaks to a plate and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. To make the
sauce, turn the heat under the skillet up to high and add the leftover
bourbon marinade. Once it begins to boil, whisk in the mustard and cream
and reduce the sauce by half. Correct the seasoning. Spoon over the
filets and enjoy.




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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December 2007
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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1
New Years Day
Center Closed |
2
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3 |
4
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922 |
5
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10
PIC Meeting
7:00 p.m.
OLIC |
11
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922 |
12
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922 |
13 |
14
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15
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16 |
17
Toonerville NA
St. Philip Chapel,
7 p.m.
4th St. NA, 7:00 p.m. |
18
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922 |
19
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922 |
20
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21
Crime & Safety
7 p.m., OLIC
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22
OLIC 6
OLNC 7
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23
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24
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25
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922 |
26
TourLouisville
2:30pm Mansion & Milestones Tour, $25, 637.2922
7:30pm Ghost Tour, $25, 637.2922 |
27
SSNA 5:00 pm.
Kling Center |
28
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29
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30
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31
ZALU 7p.m. |
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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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