Current Initiatives

MetroSafe - a $71 million initiative, MetroSafe connects police, fire, EMS and other first responders on a single communications network. Phase 1 opened in September 2005 bringing emergency dispatchers together in a combined communications center with the capability of connecting with emergency agencies in 20 surrounding jurisdictions, both in Kentucky and Indiana.  The second phase, completed in 2006, put all call takers and dispatchers on the same computer system for the first time, allowing better emergency coordination and speeding response times by eliminating call transfers.

The third phase of MetroSafe, now in development, includes a state-of-the-art radio transmission system and new communications and emergency-operations center at the site of the former Federal Reserve Building downtown.


Public Safety - Mayor Abramson is keeping Louisville safe by equipping and deploying first responders in ways that best serve today's needs and neighborhoods.
  • Police - Following the merger of city and county departments to create the Louisville Metro Police Department, the mayor has secured funding to put more police officers on the streets, with new tools, expanded training and stronger community relationships.
  • Fire - After extensive input from citizens and firefighters, the mayor has proposed a "21st Century Fire" plan - a long-range, multi-million-dollar initiative to modernize the Louisville Fire Department, improve response times and enhance service across the urban-services district.
  • EMS - Separate emergency-medical services functions have merged into Louisville Metro EMS, a medically focused and data-driven agency that ensures the nearest ambulances are dispatched to help waiting patients no matter where they are in the community. A new deployment plan is putting more medical professionals in more vehicles on the streets of the community than ever before.
Economic Development - whether it is Fortune 500 companies or neighborhood groceries, Mayor Abramson is committed to attracting and retaining jobs and expanding economic opportunities for Louisville.  Recent efforts and initiatives include:

City of Parks - a visionary and aggressive expansion of Louisville's park system, adding thousands of acres of greenspace, a 100-mile paved trail encircling the city, and improvement projects at hundreds of existing parks all over town. 

Downtown Development - with $800 million in recent development and more than 65,000 workers every day, downtown is Louisville's economic hub.  Mayor Abramson has set an aggressive agenda for continuing downtown's 20-year renaissance. Recent highlights include a proposed multi-purpose arena, $150 million in new development surrounding Louisville Slugger Field, the proposed Iron Quarter development, continued growth of the Fourth Street entertainment district, opening of the Muhammad Ali Center and exponential growth of downtown housing.

Library Expansion - saying it's time to "take the next major step in improving our system of life-long learning centers" - Mayor Abramson has proposed three new regional libraries in suburban Louisville. The mayor set aside $2 million from a one-time dividend to purchase land for the new facilities. Louisville voters will decide in November whether to create a library district to fund the Library Master Plan, which would include construction and operation of the three regional libraries and improvements at all other libraries throughout the system. More than 100 of Kentucky’s 120 counties have library districts to ensure adequate funding of libraries.

Project DRI - one of the mayor's first initiatives since merger, Project DRI (Drainage Response Initiative) is a $122 million plan to solve drainage issues in neighborhoods across Louisville.  Phase 1 is complete, after investing $67 million in 380 capital projects and drainage-maintenance improvements. Phase 2, including an additional 335 projects and $55 million in investment, will be complete by 2007.

Housing - Mayor Abramson commissioned the development of a Comprehensive Housing Strategy to ensure that neighborhoods throughout the city provide housing of all styles and price points - with access to services, employment and public amenities. The strategy will guide ongoing efforts to ensure a place for everyone, at every stage of life, in our hometown. Key housing initiatives include creating from the ground up a new mixed-income neighborhood - Liberty Green - in place of former a barracks-style public-housing project.

Healthy Hometown - the mayor wants Louisville to be the one of the healthiest and fittest cities in the country. The Mayor's Healthy Hometown Movement encourages residents to be more active and make healthier food choices.

Government Accessibility - Mayor Abramson is focused on connecting our citizens with their government through a number of initiatives:
  • LouisvilleKy.gov - Louisville's new and improved "official" website puts more information and services online than ever before. LouisvilleKy.gov was recently ranked the nation's third-best city website by the Center for Digital Government in their annual "Best of the Web" competition.
  • MetroCall 311 - now community wide and 24/7, MetroCall 311 is the non-emergency number to call when you've got a concern, question or idea for Metro Government.
  • Community Conversations - every month Mayor Abramson, department directors and Metro Council members meet directly with residents to answer questions and listen to concerns and ideas.  The Mayor's Community Conversations generally are the third Monday of every month at rotating locations across the community.
  • MetroTV - Louisville's government television channel, MetroTV (Insight Cable Channel 25) provides award-winning programs and features, coverage of news conferences, Metro Council meetings, special events and more.