- 8664.org
8664.org is a
grassroots campaign located inLouisville, Kentucky . Its stated mission is "to advocate for the revitalization of Louisville through the removal ofInterstate 64 along the riverfront and the adoption of a transportation plan that will provide long-term benefits to the region's citizens, neighborhoods, environment and economy."The movement wishes to alter future plans for Louisville's interstates, formally referred to as the
Ohio River Bridges Project , with three major components:
#Build an East-end bridge (as currently set forth in the ORBP)
#Realign I-64 onto I-265 using the new bridge
#Replace the Riverside Expressway from I-65 to 22nd Street with an Olmsted styled parkway, similar to already existing roads like Eastern Parkway in Louisville.8664 proponents hope that the implementation of their plan will expand interest in Louisville's waterfront and reduce the need for a new downtown bridge, which would negatively impact
Butchertown and theOld Jeffersonville Historic District inJeffersonville, Indiana . 8664's plan would also involve extending the city's flagship Waterfront Park to the west side ofdowntown Louisville .The first serious talk about eliminating the I-64 section was in 1999, when the president and CEO of
Greater Louisville Inc. , Doug Cobb, proposed it. However, it gained little attention at the time. [ [http://louisville.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2006/02/13/editorial2.html Louisville could use more 'visionaries' like Tyler Allen - Business First of Louisville: ] ]Tyler Allen, who heads the movement, has talked to several government agencies to support the movement, including communities which wouldn't be immediately affected by new bridges. [ [http://www.news-tribune.net/archivesearch/local_story_073164849.html The News and Tribune - 8664 founder presents plan to Clarksville Council ] ]
Critics believe that it would create endless red tape through the federal government. Other critics believe it is "too little, too late". [ [http://www.news-tribune.net/archivesearch/local_story_073164849.html The News and Tribune - 8664 founder presents plan to Clarksville Council ] ] Louisville mayor
Jerry Abramson referred to proponents of the 8664 plan as "young idealists". [http://leoweekly.com/?q=node/3554 "Man on fire: A chat about the future" by Stephen George, Leo Weekly] Even the 1999 proponent, Doug Cobb, now dismisses it as a "paper dream". [ [http://louisville.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2006/02/13/editorial2.html Louisville could use more 'visionaries' like Tyler Allen - Business First of Louisville: ] ]Regardless, the number of supporters signed up on the website continues to grow (now over 12,000). JC Stites, the co-founder of 8664 said recently that they plan to release a traffic analysis conducted by a nationally renowned transportation planner this fall. He also suggested that their plan may cost half as much as the Ohio River Bridges Project and could be completed in half the time.
On
October 31 ,2007 , a committee of theLouisville Metro Council announced that they would be holding public hearings on the 8664 plan. [cite news |first=Marcus |last=Green |title=Council to hold hearings on 8664 idea |publisher="The Courier-Journal " |url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071031/NEWS01/71031010 |date=2007-10-31 |accessdate=2007-11-01]ee also
*
Ohio River Bridges Project References
External links
* [http://www.8664.org Official website] (contains Flash)
* [http://www.8664.org/study 8664 Feasibility Study] by Walter Kulash
* [http://www.preservenet.com/freeways/index.html Removing Freeways - Restoring Cities]
* [http://media.www.loupatriot.com/media/storage/paper965/news/2006/04/19/News/8664-1865883.shtml Revitalizing downtown or creating commuter chaos?] by Elizabeth Post, "Louisville Patriot" April 19, 2006, Accessed May 16, 2007
* [http://www.news-tribune.net/archivesearch/local_story_363123920.html Opinions vary on interstate fixes in Floyd and Clark counties] by David Mann, December 29, 2006
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