New $250 Sports Entertainment District proposed for downtown Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, announced a proposal for a new mixed-use Sports Entertainment District development to help revitalize downtown Louisville.

Greenberg says the proposed development, planned in the area next to Louisville Slugger Field, is about continuing to build the community.

“To transform that surface parking lot into a new district that will include housing and hospitality, restaurant, retail, offices and possibly more,” said Greenberg.

The project would be a $250 million investment by Louisville Bats owner Diamond Baseball Holdings and Machete Group, with over 500,000-square feet of mixed-use development.

CEO of Diamond Baseball Holdings Peter Freund says their goal has always been to elevate minor league baseball across the country; that includes fan and player experience along with creating centers of energy around the ballparks they operate.

“We believe that this proposed development will create this vibrant 365 day a year hub around Slugger Field. But just as important to that, it speaks to our commitment to this community. It’s about becoming a pillar in the community, investing in the community. We’re in this for the long haul,” said Freund.

Against the Grain Brewery Assistant General Manager Jonathan High says this is great news to help bring business all year around.

“With a project like that, I think it’s very ambitious, in a great way. And again, I don’t think you’ll see as much of a slowdown with something literally right there,” said High.

High says the district would be a unique destination for the community and a way to unite the different areas in downtown Louisville.

“I think with the connections between like Butchertown, new downtown, just to having those areas kind of connect, showing what those other areas have to offer. Like with NuLu, what’s in Butchertown, what’s going to be right here? I think it’s a great area that doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic,” said High.

Greenberg is confident this project will benefit the city and state.

“This project here is about more jobs for Louisville. It’s about more housing. It’s about more opportunities for Louisville residents. More reasons to visit downtown, more reasons to experience baseball, but more reasons to experience so much more,” said Greenberg.

Diamond Baseball Holdings and their partner, Machete Group, are going to be presenting the project to the Waterfront Development Board on Wednesday.