A historic neighborhood lost in a flood, covered by a dump, then reclaimed by nature will become the Waterfront Botanical Gardens under terms of a recent land deal.
Branden Klayko reports on a plan to develop the Point, a riverfront neighborhood in Louisville abandoned after a 1937 flood and then used as a dump. "Soon, however," writes Klayko, "this forgotten corner of the city will blossom into the Waterfront Botanical Gardens, thanks to an agreement between Metro Louisville and Botanica, the group behind the gardens project, to eventually sell the land for one dollar."
The closing of the one dollar land deal is contingent on the ability of Botanica to raise "a few million dollars." Botanica expects to need between $10 million and $20 million before it can begin construction, and the entire plan is expected to cost about $35 million.
Klayko's coverage of the Waterfront Botanical Gardens links to coverage by multiple sites and press releases from the involved parties—start here to launch a thorough study of the proposed Waterfront Botanical Gardens, including its proposed design concept.
Read the full story: Louisville’s planned Waterfront Botanical Gardens takes a step forward with land deal
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Post election, Texas is no longer Musk’s 'AI oasis'
Elon Musk dolled out $446 million on the 2026 midterms, the most ever spent by a non-canidate.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority