LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Greg Fischer today joined representatives from the business community on Thursday to highlight a return of downtown office workers and a continuing investment in the city’s core.
“The future of our downtown is bright, and that is evidenced by recent investments in office renovations, new hotel and attraction announcements, and the opening of new street-level retail and restaurants,” the mayor said. “In 2021, we started seeing downtown come alive again, and that trend is continuing. Every month, we are seeing increased activity – with workers coming back in the office, with our arts and culture venues hosting events, and with visitors taking advantage of our museums, bourbon tours and other attractions.”
“The future of our downtown is bright, and that is evidenced by recent investments in office renovations, new hotel and attraction announcements, and the opening of new street-level retail and restaurants.” — Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer
Fischer added that the 2021 return of Louisville Metro Government employees and workers at companies, including Baird, Fifth Third Bank and PNC Bank, has brought renewed vibrancy to downtown. Humana, one of the city’s major downtown employers, will begin bringing employees back into the office in mid-March.
“Downtown workers provide critical support for our commercial businesses throughout the work week, and we are excited to welcome even more of them back this year,” he said.
Others added that the return of office workers is especially critical to the success of small businesses across the city.
“Small businesses are the hum and soul of communities like Louisville, lifting up the entire city by creating jobs and adding to the fabric of what makes Louisville unique,” said Tawana Bain, founder and CEO of TBAIN & Co. “We need our office workers back in the workplace and on the street, showing equity by shopping and supporting our city’s Black and Black woman-owned businesses.”
The Young Professionals Association of Louisville (YPAL) recently conducted a survey of its members and found that most respondents have already returned to the office either full-time or part-time. Members also indicated that downtown is the most convenient location for our events.
“YPAL members have been leaders in the resurgence of downtown, returning to offices around Louisville – and equally important, enjoying the numerous events, activities and amenities offered in the city. YPAL has hosted in-person events since August, inviting its members and colleagues back to downtown to support Louisville’s economy as it rebounds from the pandemic,” said Cassidy Hyde, executive director of YPAL. “When I began my new role as executive director, I was so excited to be working downtown. It has been such a joy to see the energy return to the area, and we look forward to building upon that momentum together.”
And despite the pandemic, investment continued in downtown. In 2020, for example, financial services firm Baird invested $20 million in its new headquarters space within the 500 West Jefferson office tower.
“At Baird, we have a 165-year history in downtown Louisville, and we have never been more committed than we are today as our significant investment at 500 West Jefferson reflects. From an overall investment perspective in downtown, the last 15 years have been transformational, and we encourage our community to take full advantage of all that our downtown has to offer,” said Jim Allen, vice chairman at Baird.
Last year, Louisville welcomed four new downtown hotels and 30 new retail businesses, and construction began on projects in and near downtown, including the $80 million Derby City Gaming facility, the $31 million Bunkhouse hotel in NuLu, Angel Envy’s $8.2 million expansion and an additional $16 million in renovations at 500 West Jefferson.
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