Current Info: 

 

Wed Jan 3 2006 - The Corps directs that a formal Historic review be done of The Harbor. 

 

This requires that WDC commission a Historic / Cultural Review of The Louisville Municipal Harbor to determine if it is eligible for inclusion in The National Register of Historic Places. Although it has not been determined by this Webmaster who will conduct the study, it must be done by an impartial firm or persons authorized by the USACE and various KY State Agencies who oversee historic preservation issues. This is indeed good news as it should establish The Harbor's historic significance once and for all. Although this does not guarantee its preservation, it will add to our argument for a historically sensitive approach.

 

THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS PERMIT 

 

More information on the procedure for review of historic structures can be see in the Public Notice text HERE. The following also sheds light on the process: 

 

FROM THE USACE STATUTORY, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND JUDICIAL MATERIAL

 

33 CFR Part 325 Appendix C - Procedures for the Protection of Historic Properties

 

5. Investigations.

a. When initial review, additional submissions by the applicant, or response to the public notice indicates the existence of a potentially eligible property, the district engineer shall examine the pertinent evidence to determine the need for further investigation...

10.District Engineer Decision.

a. In making the public interest decision on a permit application... the district engineer shall weigh all factors, including the effects of the undertaking on historic properties and any comments of the ACHP and the SHPO, and any views of other interested parties...

 

b. If the district engineer concludes that permitting the activity would result in the irrevocable loss of important scientific, prehistoric, historical, or archeological data, the district engineer... will advise the Secretary of the Interior ... of any plans to mitigate such loss that will be implemented, and the permit conditions that will be included to ensure that any required mitigation occurs.

Besides the Federal protections afforded historic and archeological resources, Louisville Metro also has extensive guidelines for historic preservation within the context of new development. The project managers, designers, and developers of RiverPark Place do not seem to understand  they are bound by past agreements and public policy to uphold the mandated desire of the citizens of Louisville Metro for continued, proactive  preservation of our cultural heritage. This became painfully apparent by the incomplete and out of date material presented to the USACE during the Nov Consulting Parties Meeting. In fact, the designers seemed totally blind sided by our concerns.

 

Given the commitment the Metro Louisville Council has affirmed through the Cornerstone 2020 initiative and other well established public policies, we can only hope these public servants and private sector managers will look at preservation not as a barrier to be circumvented, but as a primary mandate to be followed.     

 

From the Cornerstone 2020 Comprehensive Plan Adopted by Louisville and Jefferson Co Planning Commission June 15, 2000

 

OHIO RIVER CORRIDOR

 

Goal K1 - Recognize the Ohio River Corridor as a place where people connect to the River, in an accessible landscape for gathering, celebration, contemplation, and recreation.

 

Goal K5 - Recognize the Ohio River Corridor as a place where people connect to the past, present, and future, by defining, preserving, and interpreting the community’s cultural heritage and identity.

K5.1 - Encourage the preservation of significant historic and archaeological sites, buildings, and landscapes within the River Corridor.

 

K5.2 - Tell the story of human use of the River by developing a coordinated system of interpretive sites focused on past and present settlement, commerce, and industry.

 

K5.3 - Develop and implement a unified design approach to establish for the public landscapes of the Ohio River Corridor.

 

WE URGE YOU TO  CONTACT THE PLANNING COMMITTEE AND YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL PERSON WITH YOUR CONCERNS.

 

Planning, Zoning, Land Design & Development Committee	Madonna Flood - Chair Council District 24 Phone: 502.574.1124 madonna.flood@loukymetro.org
Tina Ward-Pugh Council District 9 Phone: 502.574.1109 tina.ward-pugh@loukymetro.org	Tom Owen Council District 8 Phone: 502.574.1108 tom.owen@loukymetro.org
Jim King Council District 10 Phone: 502.574.1110 Email: Jim.King@loukymetro.org	Hal Heiner Council District 19 Phone: 502.574.1119 Hal.Heiner@loukymetro.org
Julie Raque Adams Council District 18 Phone: 502.574.1118 julie.adams@loukymetro.org	Glen Stuckel Council District 17 Phone: 502.574.1117 glen.stuckel@loukymetro.org