Gresham Smith Selected to Reimagine Louisville’s Broadway Corridor
Gresham Smith is proud to announce the firm has been selected by Louisville Metro Government to develop a master plan for the city’s Broadway corridor, a historic six-mile roadway linking residential neighborhoods, parks and business districts. The project team will evaluate the corridor’s functional characteristics and socioeconomic conditions, identifying opportunities to create a forward-looking multi-modal corridor that meets the needs of all citizens and serves as a catalyst for economic development.
“We have an opportunity to push boundaries towards multi-modal, technology-driven solutions that not only help people move more safely and efficiently through Louisville, but also elevate quality of life for residents,” said Mike Sewell, P.E., active transportation service line leader, Gresham Smith. “Louisville has a long history of innovative and thoughtful Parkways and we’re proud to be a part of bringing those multi-modal design strategies to one of the City’s most important corridors. As Louisville residents, this project is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will stay with us forever.”
“Streets are one of our most important public spaces because they connect people to the places they care about. By examining the entire landscape of the Broadway corridor and considering the key principles outlined in the city’s comprehensive plan, we will tailor custom solutions to help create a more connected, sustainable and equitable community,” said Louis Johnson, PLA, ASLA, senior landscape architect, Gresham Smith.
The first phase of the project, which is currently underway, focuses on collecting and analyzing data and engaging with the public to understand the current state of the Broadway corridor. Using a custom application, the Gresham Smith team has already collected more than 2,500 unique data points from the project site, including metrics related to accessibility, vacant properties, transit stops and lighting.
During the second phase of the project Gresham Smith will develop a variety of design strategies to address the corridor’s needs. Each design solution will be specific to the surrounding context and community, as well as responsive to current trends in transportation and land use. The project team will consider design features such as dedicated lanes for transit, smart transit stops based on real-time information, ecological design that improves air quality and reduces the heat island effect, and public art installations that create a sense of place.
During the third and final phase of the master planning process, Gresham Smith will deliver a final vision for the Broadway corridor. The design will be grounded in the community priorities identified during phase one and will recommend short-term, mid-term and long-term improvements. The finished master plan’s cutting-edge design strategies will enable the City of Louisville to compete on a national stage for federal funding to implement the improvement projects.
In addition to Gresham Smith’s in-house experts, Jarret Walker + Associates, Street Plans Collaborative, Hyphae Design Laboratory, Mightly, EHI Consultants, QK4 Inc., CityVisions and Associates, and Center for Accessible Living are also part of the project team.