Neighbors oppose TIF’s construction of the Louisville Municipal Government Center

Neighbors oppose TIF construction for the Louisville Municipal Government Center and propose other plans

Updated: 18:47 EDT, June 11, 2024

Once the home of city and county offices, the Municipal Government Center is now an unused building abandoned in 2015. Developer Paristown Preservation Trust plans to transform the 10-acre site on Barrett Avenue into offices, retail space, a hotel and a parking garage Metro Council member Phillip Baker is sponsoring a proposed ordinance that he says will move the $249 million project forward. “Louisville Metro owns this property. So for any development plan, we would need surplus of this property. Then there is TIF, which is tax increment financing,” Baker said. The developer is asking for $20 million in tax increment financing, or TIF, over 20 years. “The notion that we just hand over $20 million to TIF is just not true, it’s true,” Baker said. “With TIF, or tax increment financing, there are different types of tiers, but the developer has to comply to get the amount refunded.” However, not everyone agrees with this plan. “That’s true. does not fit. It is inappropriate and that is why we continue to oppose it,” said John Gonder, president of the German-Paristown Neighborhood Association. He says he would like to see a plan that would improve the quality of life for residents. neighbors and, in his opinion, Thomas Woodcock, who lives in Old Louisville, has drafted another proposal that takes just that into account. “I am opposed to the current plan because of TIF and all the demolition costs and environmental costs associated with removing all the buildings,” Woodcock said. He says his plan will save the building and add green space and community amenities. While city officials say there are plans for more affordable housing and playgrounds, Woodcock says more needs to be done. “We would like to see a good project that would have community support without subsidies,” Woodcock said.