The redevelopment of Phoenix Park is gaining traction after years of stagnation.
Last week, Mayor Linda Gorton’s $505 million budget detailed a ~$2 million proposal that would go towards reimagining the downtown park at the corner of Main Street and South Limestone.
The total cost of the project, which includes both public and government input, would be around $4.6 million and come from —
- ~$1.6 million in partnership opportunities
- $1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding
- ~$613,000 in future phase options
- ~$604,000 in value engineered options
The renderings of Phoenix Park come from local landscape architect Element Design, which is known for its work at the Kentucky Children’s Garden in the Arboretum, as well as international firm Gresham Smith.
Proposed additions to the park include—
- A redesigned dog park
- A small stage
- A playground
- Leveling the entrance with the street
- Public art
- Turf mounds
- Water fountains
Once completed, the park will connect to the ongoing Town Branch Park project and boost the walkability of downtown. Local groups have advocated for the redesign for years, particularly as the area has seen exponential growth in recent years with the inclusion of mix-use building City Center and the revamp of Rupp Arena.
There will be Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting today at 1 p.m. to discuss the proposed budget. This meeting is open to the public or can be watched online. The COW will take a final vote on the budget at the beginning of June, and if the park’s proposal is given the green light, construction could begin as soon as spring 2024.
