LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After years of limbo, plans to breathe new life to the historic Louisville Gardens in downtown are one step closer to being realized – just don't expect shovels in the ground anytime soon.
In 2022, Louisville Metro Government signed a letter of intent with River City Entertainment Group (RECG) to redevelop the arena at 6th Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard. Both parties had 180 days to negotiate the terms of a development agreement after signing the letter of intent, but despite “significant progress being made,” that still hasn’t happened.
However new documents signed July 15 reveal Metro Government and RCEG agreed to amend the original letter of intent to extend the negotiation period through July 2025 to give RCEG more time to complete further investigations of the property.
The $65 million Louisville Gardens redevelopment project includes plans for new stages for film, music and digital productions. The building’s façade will also be restored back to the original design of the Louisville Armory.
Plans also call for a building behind the Louisville Gardens on Cedar Street to be converted into an educational facility for local universities.
RCEG said it’s still interested in the property and has started researching structural and construction costs of the project, according to city documents.
Due to the building’s previous uses, a 2016 environmental assessment found the Louisville Gardens needed remediation. A city official said the remediation process began in 2022 and concluded in March 2024.
The historic building, which occupies an entire city block, first opened in 1905 as the Jefferson County Armory and drill hall. By 1923, public events took over and the building was transformed into an entertainment venue.
A young Cassius Clay, before he was known as Muhammad Ali, fought there in the 1950s as part of the Louisville Golden Gloves Boxing tournament. It was even home to the Kentucky Colonels basketball team, and Elvis Presley performed there in 1956.
Professional wrestling was also big at the Gardens, where legends such as Ric Flair, Jerry Lawler, Andre the Giant, the Undertaker and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin competed.
The venue had a thrilling history, but in the early-2000s it all went quiet.
According to Louisville Forward, the last concert at the Louisville Gardens was in 2006 when the band My Morning Jacket performed. It eventually shut its doors for good in 2008.
Since then, it’s sat vacant for decades and is primarily used for city storage.
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