Dear Louisville
- May 11
- 4 min read
Welcome to the first edition of the Belvedere newsletter and thank you for being here. In the months ahead, this is where you'll hear it first: project updates, ways to get involved, upcoming events, and more. As we work toward a reimagined Belvedere that is truly by and for the Louisville community, we hope you'll follow our story here.
For more than 50 years, the Belvedere has been a signature riverfront gathering place at the heart of downtown for concerts, festivals, events, and sweeping views of the Ohio River.
Some of you may remember the first concept design that was shared with the public in January of 2025. That design required reinforcing the deck above the highway and construction from the river side. This stretch of the Ohio River is one of the busiest inland commercial waterways in the country and having a construction site in the middle of heavy barge traffic was a no go.
So, the designers went back to the drawing board, and I hit the road. I've spent the last year visiting more than 50 parks across the country, and every single stop reminded me of the same thing: the best public spaces aren't just beautiful; they connect communities, businesses, and neighborhoods, over and over again. That's what we're building here. A space that's a source of pride for our city, functional, vibrant, and with something for everyone.
Right now, we're working through the final stages of the design process. Groundbreaking on the garage-level work is expected this fall, with above-ground improvements beginning in spring 2027. But before we get there, we want to hear from you.
Our goal is for the Belvedere to be busy, programmed, and working for everyone across this city, and that means input from as many Louisvillians as possible. We have two ways to share yours: the Social Pinpoint map, where you can drop ideas directly onto the site plan by zone, and a community survey about the kinds of events, amenities, and activities you'd like to see. Every piece of feedback directly shapes what this space will become, and we hope you'll be a part of it.
--Layla George, Project Executive
Project Update
We're currently in the design phase, working alongside Heatherwick Studio, KNBA Architects, and Louisville Metro Government to take this project from vision to a real, buildable plan. The site plan calls for an event lawn, city and river plazas, gardens, a play space and splash pad, and more, all across 5.5 acres of riverfront space.
The final design reveal is currently on track for August 2026, with garage-level groundbreaking expected this fall and above-ground improvements beginning spring 2027.
Getting the details right means hearing from more than just the general public. Throughout this process, we'll be working closely with community partners and local organizations whose expertise and connection to this city will help shape what this space becomes. We'll be highlighting those partnerships as they develop, so stay tuned to our social media channels and upcoming newsletters.
Feedback Reflections: What We're Hearing
Your input has been shaping this project for a while now. Last fall, we held five public community listening sessions across Louisville, bringing the conversation directly into neighborhoods across the city. We wanted to make sure this process reached people where they are, not just who could make it downtown.
Since then, we've opened the Social Pinpoint map and community survey, and one theme has come through loud and clear: Louisvillians want more green, more shade, and more life at the Belvedere. We're also hearing excitement around live music, frequent festivals, activities for kids, and food options.
That's a big part of why we partnered with the University of Louisville's Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, so that the community's call for more greenspace is backed by real environmental science that benefits not only the health of our communities and visitors, but the health, resilience, and sustainability of our environment. More on that below.
The survey and map are still open. If you haven't shared your input yet, there's still time.
Community Partner Feature: The Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute
On Earth Day, we got to announce a partnership we're really excited about. We've teamed up with the University of Louisville's Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, and over the next few months their researchers will be down at the Belvedere, measuring soil health, air quality, heat, and noise levels. That data will go directly into how we plan our landscape and greenspace, down to which plants we choose and where we put them.
This work is part of Greenprint, a cross-sector initiative bringing together public, private, and nonprofit organizations around a long-term, evidence-based approach to greening downtown Louisville.
We're just getting started with this collaboration, and we can't wait to share more in the months ahead.
Take the Conversation to Your Community
Want us to come to you? Layla George, Project Executive, is happy to speak to any group that wants to learn more about the Belvedere — whether that's a neighborhood association, civic organization, or community gathering.
Layla recently visited the University of Louisville's Urban Design Studio Spring Capstone class, where graduate students spent the semester analyzing and proposing programming, wayfinding, and community outreach for the Belvedere. It's exactly the kind of conversation we love to have, and we're grateful to the UDS for the opportunity and invitation.
Get Involved: This is YOUR Belvedere
Community input has shaped every step of this design. Your voice helps determine what this space becomes.
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