Jackie Green
Go Green Campaign NewsMayoral candidates discuss development standsBy Dan Klepal - dklepal@courier-journal.com - January 21, 2010Eight candidates to become Louisville's next mayor gave their views on commercial and residential development Thursday during a two-hour panel discussion in front of more than 250 members of the Louisville Real Estate Group. It was the first major forum for the candidates, with each getting about two minutes to answer questions submitted by the organization's members at the Downtown Marriott Hotel. One of the first questions came from someone who wants to live downtown, but said there is only Section 8 housing and expensive condos, with nothing in between. "I'd like the questioner to contact me" said Jackie Green, an Independent who entered the race because of concerns over public transportation and mass transit. "I've got two floors on Market Street." Jokes aside, many of the candidates said the market needs to drive the location and price of housing. "This is a need that has to be met, but our entire urban growth pattern needs to be re-evaluated," Green said. Businessman Greg Fischer, a Democrat, said he expects Market and Main streets to "come alive" soon after the new arena opens later this year. "That will lead to demand," he said. "People are going to live where they want to live. Our job is to make sure we have the inventory of housing". Democrat Jim King, a council member who represents the 10th District, linked downtown housing with public safety. "I don't think we have a scarcity issue, I think we have a scared issue," King said, adding that investment in infrastructure is also critical. Businessman Tyler Allen, co-founder of 8664, a group pushing for an alternative to the Ohio River Bridges Project, said planning is paramount - that housing, transportation, recreation all have to work together. "We've built some beautiful housing on the waterfront," Allen said. "Come to find out, they're planning a 23-lane Spaghetti Junction" where interstates 65, 64 and 71 meet near Waterfront Park. The candidates also were asked how they would work with the Jefferson County state legislative delegation, and if they would be visible in Frankfort. Republican Hal Heiner, a councilman representing the 19th District, said he has been concerned for years about the "unfair" distribution of tax dollars out of Frankfort. He believes Louisville metro does not get its fair share. "I will build relationships with other urban areas in Kentucky," Heiner said. "We need to convince the legislature that itís time to change the balance. I plan to be there. Iíll live in Frankfort during the legislative sessions so Louisville can win." Businesswoman Shannon White, who is trying to become Louisvilleís first female mayor, has lobbying experience and said "showing up ìis half the battle." "It is about teamwork with the Jefferson County delegation," she said. "There is an attitude that downtown development is economic development. We need an attitude change. Weíre all in this together." A question about the city's planning and zoning provoked all candidates to say that changes need to be made to make the process less burdensome and less expensive for developers. "They have stopped looking at developers as collaborators and look at them as adversaries," said Republican Chris Thieneman, himself a developer. "We can stop this." Democrat David Tandy, a councilman who represents the 4th District, left the panel after the first question because of a prior commitment. He later held a news conference to officially announce his candidacy and outline his vision for Louisville. James G. Oiler, chairman of the event, said he was pleased with the quality of questions and the format. "I think we accomplished our goal of having a discussion of substance and not a political debate," Oiler said.
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Listen to an excerpt of this forum with the candidates' responses to the Floyd's Fork Park area development question here.