We’ve created the Insider Louisville Top Secret Monday briefing for those of you who like to say, “I already knew that” when you see the information later – much later – in the conventional media.
These are tips Insider Louisville staff and contributors have collected during the past few days, tips that are NOT double-verified like Insider Louisville’s daily reporting.
That said, these items are insider info from people with direct knowledge of the deals.
- The big news last week was the plans for Michter’s Distillery to turn the old Fort Nelson building into a boutique distillery. But still brewing, so to speak, are plans for no fewer than four new craft beer operations including what we’re being told will be substantial Falls City Beer operation. Steve Coomes broke the news last week about “Against the Grain” taking over the Browning’s operation at Slugger Field. We’re being told the Falls City operation could be larger … if it happens. Falls City was brewed in Louisville for decades until the brand was bought in 1978 by G. Heileman Brewing Co. Falls City brewing and bottling moved to Newport, Ky. outside Cincinnati.
- At the Riverport Business Association meeting last week, a representative from TARC discussed bus service to Jefferson Riverport International and asked those attending to fill out a survey. The survey is meant to help TARC officials do a study about adding buses to Riverport or adding shuttles from Dixie Highway to Riverport that would circulate, offering workers more arrival times for shifts. The interesting part is, one option would be to use the rail line already in place for a light rail option that would run from Louisville to Fort Knox. The cost would be about $70 million to $80 million for building the line, and about $4 million per year to maintain it. The TARC website has a frequently asked questions blurb about “Whatever happened to Light Rail?” The FAQ paragraph says light rail is dead for lack of local funding. But with $4 per gallon gas and industrial production finally ramping back up after the recession, maybe light rail is doable.
- We hear David Barhorst is out at Ice House Lofts project, with Derek Engineering taking the lead on the project. A shocking turn of events. Barhorst, oft-quoted in the Courier-Journal as “Louisville developer David Barhorst,” is best know for developing the Oertels Brewery Complex in Butchertown and the conversion of the former Henry Clay into a luxury hotel. Oh, wait a minute … those projects never happened. (One wag once noted that Barhorst’s office must be in the Vencor Tower.) Barhorst did redevelop the former Bycks building on Fourth Street into the Bycks Lofts condos. But a June 2011 annual report with Kentucky’s Secretary of State shows his name crossed out of the Icehouse Lofts LLC filing. (See the document here.) Insiders tell Insider Louisville that Barhorst withdrew from the Ice House project at least a year ago.
Icehouse Loft's 2011 Annual Report (Click to enlarge)
Here’s the description of the Ice House project, where crews are at work: Ice House Lofts, a moderately priced housing development at a stellar location next to Waterfront Park, Louisville Slugger Field, the proposed Iron Quarter District of Cobalt Ventures and the new Louisville Arena. 217 East Main Street is the largest tract of property that can be developed for housing in the middle of the before-mentioned attractions on East Main Street. Ice House Lofts will be the premiere loft housing location in the Waterfront Park, Main Street, and East Market Street Arts District neighborhood for young professionals with 56 one-bedroom lofts with on-site parking, balconies, and decks. Made of concrete, steel and insulating cork, the Ice House Lofts will also be economically “green” with very low utility costs. Each loft includes a bike locker for riding downtown and Waterfront Park.
Insider Monday biz briefing: Brewery plans brewing, TARC talks light rail and Barhorst out at Ice House condo project
We’ve created the Insider Louisville Top Secret Monday briefing for those of you who like to say, “I already knew that” when you see the information later – much later – in the conventional media.
These are tips Insider Louisville staff and contributors have collected during the past few days, tips that are NOT double-verified like Insider Louisville’s daily reporting.
That said, these items are insider info from people with direct knowledge of the deals.
Icehouse Loft's 2011 Annual Report (Click to enlarge)
Here’s the description of the Ice House project, where crews are at work: Ice House Lofts, a moderately priced housing development at a stellar location next to Waterfront Park, Louisville Slugger Field, the proposed Iron Quarter District of Cobalt Ventures and the new Louisville Arena. 217 East Main Street is the largest tract of property that can be developed for housing in the middle of the before-mentioned attractions on East Main Street. Ice House Lofts will be the premiere loft housing location in the Waterfront Park, Main Street, and East Market Street Arts District neighborhood for young professionals with 56 one-bedroom lofts with on-site parking, balconies, and decks. Made of concrete, steel and insulating cork, the Ice House Lofts will also be economically “green” with very low utility costs. Each loft includes a bike locker for riding downtown and Waterfront Park.