DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Ddc engages in a variety of projects in collaboration with local and state government as well as private sector partners meant to increase the vitality and attractiveness of downtown. In 2024, these projects and initiatives included:- cityspots: conceptualized by leadership louisville's 2022 bingham fellows cohort, cityspots are the transformation of underutilized or forgotten public spaces into welcoming places of urban surprise where people meet, eat, play, or relax, helping to spread vibrancy across downtown. With the first two cityspots completed in 2023, this year ddc continued planning and design work for the third and fourth locations. Through the generosity of jpmorganchase and other sponsors, the third cityspot, near the corner of fourth and jefferson streets adjacent to the louisville visitors center, will bring the space to life with colorful wall and sidewalk murals, a public piano, additional seating, and flowers. The fourth cityspot, sponsored by pnc bank, will be located near the corner of fifth and main streets. This whimsical installation will feature larger-than-life swing sets for everyone to enjoy. Ribbon cuttings for these two new cityspots are planned for the summer of 2025.- management of the business improvement district (bid): through an agreement with the louisville downtown management district (ldmd), ddc administers and operates the downtown louisville bid that provides services supplemental to those provided by louisville metro government within the boundaries of the district. These services include daily cleaning of the downtown rights of way, safety and hospitality patrols, graffiti abatement, beautification programs, and public art projects. In 2024, the ambassador team removed approximately 134,600 pounds of litter and debris from the sidewalks and alleys, cleaned up more than 475 biohazardous materials, abated 1,137 graffiti tags and stickers, and recorded more than 121,000 hospitality interactions with guests and visitors. - clean collaborative: ddc continued its partnership with louisville metro's department of public works for the "clean collaborative" initiative to improve the community's cleanliness throughout the city. To address areas of downtown outside of the bid, public works extended its contract with ddc for a fourth year to provide ambassador cleaning services in often neglected parts of the greater downtown area. As part of this program, ddc's clean collaborative team of ambassadors cleared approximately 14,200 pounds of litter and debris in these locations.- beautification and art initiatives: ddc constantly focuses on expanding placemaking programs to improve the appearance and appeal of downtown's streets. A signature initiative in 2024 was the launch of a new series of temporary, rotating art installations in public spaces across our downtown core. Designed and created by austin-based lemonde studio, this program brings a series of interactive art exhibits to new locations every six to eight weeks. In preparation for a new public piano program to be unveiled in the spring of 2025, ddc partnered with two downtown schools, the j. Graham brown school and francis parker school of louisville, to have four donated pianos painted by their middle and high school students. Called "downtown tunes", these pianos will be placed in key outdoor locations and are designed to foster spontaneous musical expression, community connection, and creative placemaking. In 2024, ddc also introduced a new "butt bin" program to help reduce the number of cigarette butts discarded on downtown's streets and sidewalks while also recycling the filters for new uses. Businesses and property owners can request a free branded bin to be positioned in high-traffic smoking areas to encourage responsible disposal.- lighting programs: with planning and design completed by ddc, louisville metro government allocated $1.6 million for the installation of a new led lighting project underneath the i-65 overpasses on main and market streets. The new lighting transforms the underpasses from their former states, with standard-issue white lights, into inviting colorful destinations and new connection points between the nulu district and the core of downtown by elevating the underpasses' aesthetic appeal and creating brighter and more engaging spaces for visitors. U.s. Representative morgan mcgarvey secured an additional $1.6 million for the future expansion of the program to include two more underpasses. Ddc also completed planning and design work for a series of string light installations in its historic shopping district along south fourth street.- walking tour podcasts: ddc launched the republic bank downtown walking tour podcasts in early 2024 featuring three series: the historic west main street tour, the civil rights marker tour, and the whiskey row tour. Narrated by prominent louisvillians, the podcasts are available for free download and provide a new opportunity to find out how louisville was settled, how commerce was developed in the early days, and how louisville played a part in the 1960s civil rights movement.- derby 150: the kentucky derby celebrated its 150th anniversary on the first saturday of may in 2024. While the downtown ambassadors worked to make downtown look its best, ddc partnered with churchill downs to hang 500 "derby 150" pole banners across downtown to welcome guests from across the world to our city.- homelessness engagement: one of the tragic, lingering consequences of the pandemic was a significant increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness and mental crisis throughout louisville. Ddc continues to engage with our public, non-profit, and private partners to develop new strategies to address the complex issues surrounding homelessness and panhandling in the urban core. Of particular note, 2024 was the first full year that the district fielded its dedicated team of outreach ambassadors who work with the most vulnerable people in our downtown community. These ambassadors serve as a vital bridge between available social services and facilities, downtown's street population, and those experiencing homelessness. In this first full year of operations, the outreach team initiated 1,167 contacts with people in need of support. After building trusting relationships with these individuals, 97 individuals or families were successfully connected with vital services ranging from addiction treatment to transitional and permanent housing. - 2024 grants/allocations to others: $0