NEWS

Fischer proposes spending for 'quality of life' activities

Sheldon S. Shafer
@sheldonshafer

Housing, ultrafast Internet service, and street, sidewalk, and other infrastructure improvements are in line to receive significant funding in Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer's 2017-18 proposed metro budget that he unveiled Thursday.

These and other so-called "quality of life" projects are important in attracting jobs and – in the long run – helping keep communities clean and safe, he said. "Investments in people and places help make the community safer and the city's economic momentum going."

One of the larger capital outlays was $5.4 million that would be used to help install a fiber optics cable network in the city that would make ultrafast broadband service available. Google Fiber just this week committed to installing a high-speed cable network in Louisville, and AT&T Kentucky has begun work on its system.

More on Fischer's budget proposal: 

Fischer's budget proposal: 7 things to know

Fischer unveils city budget, focuses new money on police

Fischer budget funds long-awaited Northeast Regional Library

Fischer said the city will work with KentuckyWired – a state-affiliated effort to expand rapid broadband service across the state – to lay the extra fiber optics cable in Louisville. He said it will be "an investment that will pay for itself, as the city leases the cable to private Internet service providers."

He also said it will "help bring high-speed Internet fiber to West Louisville, closing the digital divide."

On the housing front, Fischer proposed $2.5 million for the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund. He included a similar sum in this year's budget. Much of the money goes to housing-related grants for non-profit organizations. Housing advocates for years have pushed for a city allocation of $10 million a year to promote affordable housing.

Fischer also included $12 million for a revolving housing loan fund that can be used by selected developers to build apartment complexes with some "workforce" units set aside at lower rents.

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Another proposed item was $25 million for paving and street improvements and sidewalks and $500,000 for more exclusive bike lanes.

Also funded were:

  • $1.7 million for Metro Parks projects, including maintenance and repairs. The appropriation will also go to work on the Louisville Loop, a Tyler Park master plan, a walking path at Joe Creason Park off Trevilian Way, and a new boat ramp at Shawnee Park.
  • $600,000 to plant new trees and help reduce the city's "heat island."
  • $1 million for the Louisville Zoo capital and maintenance work.

Reporter Sheldon S. Shafer can be reached at 502-582-7089, or via email at sshafer@courier-journal.com.

Louisville has been adding bike lanes.