Waterfront Botanical Gardens in the Works for a Derelict Corner of Louisville

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.

1 minute read

June 4, 2015, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


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.

Monday, June 1, 2015 in Broken Sidewalk

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

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.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

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.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

Elon Musk in front of a sign for Grok 3

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.

15 minutes ago - Politico

People vote in Chicago behind blue privacy screens

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

November 5 - Block Club Chicago

Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks into a microphone. He wears a gray suit.

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.

November 5 - The City Reporter