Home » LG&E partners with Spalding University to green 2.2 acres of parking lot

LG&E partners with Spalding University to green 2.2 acres of parking lot

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 15, 2016) – Concrete and asphalt parking lots at 960 South Second Street near Kentucky Street will become open green space, expanding Spalding University’s southeastern boundary, the school’s President Tori Murden McClure and Louisville Gas and Electric Company Vice President of Customer Services John Malloy announced Tuesday.

Spalding will remove the asphalt and replace it with a park-like landscape of trees and landscape design. The rehabilitated parking lots will offer Spalding University students space for intramural sports and recreation while beautifying the South of Broadway (SoBro) neighborhood and diminishing the impact of urban heat island in the area.

“Through partnerships with community stewards like LG&E, Spalding is able to expand its campus and opportunities for students while improving the quality of life of the SoBro neighborhood,” says President McClure. As part of a long-term partnership, Spalding is leasing the space from LG&E for an initial term of 20 years. Groundbreaking will take place in early spring of 2017 with the project expected to be completed by late fall.

“We believe being a good community steward means supporting initiatives like this that benefit the environment and education,” says Malloy. “Partnering to transform this property accomplishes both of those goals and creates a more visually appealing space that the entire community can be proud of and enjoy.”

This project is part of Spalding’s ongoing expansion and greening efforts which also include Mother Catherine Spalding Square on Breckinridge Street between Third and Fourth Streets and the acquisition of former industrial property on Ninth Street, which is the future home of Spalding’s Golden Eagles athletic program’s athletic fields.