Louisville Proposes Development of Sports Entertainment District Downtown

The city of Louisville has proposed a sports entertainment district, part of ongoing revitalization efforts downtown, that would be next to Slugger Field, home of the Louisville Bats, the Triple A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg revealed the proposal on Monday, a joint venture between Louisville Bats’ owner Diamond Baseball Holdings and Machete Group, a company specializing in the planning and development of sports and entertainment venues. The suggested Louisville Sports Entertainment District would offer a mix of housing, retail, hospitality and entertainment options.

“This exciting development represents our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our residents and visitors,” said Greenberg. “We are being proactive about developing surface lots across our downtown; these type of lots are ripe for development that benefits our city as a whole and its residents. We look forward to continuing to work with Machete Group and Diamond Baseball Holdings hopefully make this district a reality.”

With over 500,000 square-feet of development, the district would feature residences, a full-service hotel, office and meeting spaces, retail shops, a revitalized entrance to Slugger Field and on-site parking. If realized, the project would create a connection point between downtown, Butchertown, NuLu and Waterfront Park.

“The opportunity to contribute to the ongoing revitalization efforts in downtown Louisville and create a hub of energy and excitement surrounding the home of the Bats is a game-changer for our organization and our fans,” said Pat Battle and Peter Freund, executive chairman and chief executive officer, respectively, of DBH. “We’re thrilled to double-down on the commitment we made to the Louisville community more than a year ago when we acquired the Bats and look forward to further enhancing the overall experience for everyone who visits Slugger Field.”

The proposal claims the development would generate jobs, boost local business and create a vibrant community atmosphere.

“The proposed district represents a significant investment in the continued transformation of our downtown core,” said Rebecca Fleischaker, executive director of Louisville Downtown Partnership. “This project would add needed residential development, with entertainment and hospitality options, and would become a new destination, as well as add density to this area, improving vibrancy and perception of safety.”