LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — An eight-block stretch of Barret Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky could undergo major changes aimed at improving safety for drivers and pedestrians.
The proposed updates have raised concerns among business owners and residents, particularly about parking availability.
The project spans from East Broadway to Rufer Avenue and impacts four neighborhoods, including The Highlands. City officials have been evaluating improvements to this corridor for more than two years.
Planned changes include repaving the road and potentially reconfiguring traffic lanes, which may involve adding bike lanes.
Terri Burt, who has owned a business along Barret Avenue for over 26 years, said she has watched the area evolve and believes improvements are necessary.
“It needs a little love and since Lynn’s Paradise Cafe closed it’s taken a long time to come back,” Burt said.
Still, Burt and other business owners worry that adding bike lanes could remove dozens of parking spaces that both businesses and residents depend on. One alley lot with 12 spaces currently serves seven businesses.
Residents also noted that parking is already limited, and losing additional spaces could worsen the situation.
“This is a residential area that is more of a neighborhood that just happens to have this hub, so the street parking seems to be a little bit more important,” a resident said.
The former Urban Government Center property in the Paristown area lies along the project route and is expected to be redeveloped into a mixed-use space, which could further increase parking demand.
Despite these concerns, some business owners say the corridor is already highly walkable but could still benefit from improvements.
The city is currently gathering public input through an online survey. Once finalized, paving work could be completed by November.
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