LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A park is on the way for Louisville's current and future medical workers. It's the brainchild of LOUMED, a partnership between UofL Health, the University of Louisville, JCTC and Norton Healthcare. The medical and education district is a major artery in the heart of the city.
"This is a means to an end. We are looking to be a world-renowned medical and education district," LOUMED Director Nadareca Thibeaux said.
Trees, shade and a dedicated space for food trucks. That's what's planned for the park going in where old Community Correctional Facility is now.
The jail closed in 2020, and its demolition is scheduled for completion at the end of October. With $1.75 million in funding from Metro Louisville, the work is already underway. Ownership of the land will go to the LOUMED group.
"We are all in," UofL President Kim Schatzel said as employees in the district applauded. She sees this moment filling the need for 6,000 nursing jobs in the state. "We can increase the number of graduation by 50% and start addressing that critical shortage."
A $280 million UofL research and learning center will also be built in LOUMED. Another $100 million from the state partially funds LOUMED road redesigns and other projects sprinkled around downtown like the Belvedere. $25.5 million is also revamping the juvenile justice facility in west downtown.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg helped secure the funds from Kentucky's Republican supermajority.
"When there's growth in Louisville, there's growth in Kentucky. Our tax dollars help support the entire state. " he said, speculating on his success. "The other reason, I think, is relationships."
Relationships the mayor hopes to maintain as downtown's rebound is still in the air. Both he and Schatzel thanked state leaders—Gov. Andy Beshear, Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker David Osborne—for their support.
The park's first phase of construction is expected to finish in fall 2025.
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