UofL joins LOUMED, partners to open new public green space in the heart of the city

The University of Louisville, UofL Health and other partners joined the Louisville Medical & Education District (LOUMED) to celebrate the opening of LOUMED Commons. The new public park transformed the space at 316 East Chestnut Street into much-needed green space in the heart of a district anchored by Louisville’s leading hospitals and educational institutions. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg joined LOUMED leaders and project partners to welcome employees, students, patients, visitors and neighbors into the space for the first time, marking a major milestone in LOUMED’s continued revitalization.

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LOUMED Commons is a one-acre park thoughtfully designed for gathering and recreation, featuring shaded seating, native plantings and flexible areas for community programs, food trucks and events. The space enhances the district’s sense of connection and provides a welcoming place for people to enjoy the outdoors in an urban environment.
 
“LOUMED Commons embodies the spirit of community within our district,” said Nadareca Thibeaux, executive director of LOUMED. “It was created for the people who make LOUMED thrive, including our 18,000 health care professionals, educators and other employees, nearly 13,000 students and more than 1.5 million annual visitors. Whether someone wants to take a break, enjoy lunch outdoors or simply recharge, this park offers a place to do that.”
 
Louisville Metro worked closely with LOUMED and its partners to make the project possible, aligning with Greenberg’s broader vision for a more connected and livable city.
 
“LOUMED Commons is a symbol of the kind of city we are building together,” Greenberg said. “By transforming this block into green space, we’re creating a more connected downtown that better serves our students, health care workers, patients and neighbors alike. This project reflects our commitment to building a safer, stronger and healthier Louisville for all.”

The project was led by LOUMED in partnership with Louisville Metro Public Works, JLL, CARMAN Landscape Architecture and Pace Contracting. LOUMED Commons was supported by city funding allocated from Governor Beshear and the Kentucky General Assembly’s investment in downtown Louisville. The $10-million allocation is helping to support multiple LOUMED projects, including LOUMED Commons. Additionally, the city is investing $1.75 million in improvements along Chestnut Street.
 
LOUMED Commons is the first project completed within the study area of Greenprint, a 10-year initiative coordinated by the University of Louisville’s Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute and the Urban Design Studio. Greenprint is a citywide framework that uses environmental data to guide where and how new green spaces can have the greatest impact on human health. It connects separate projects led by local partners, like LOUMED Commons and the upcoming Chestnut Street improvements, under a shared commitment to creating a cooler, cleaner and healthier Louisville.
 
LOUMED’s anchor institutions – the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, UofL Health, Jefferson Community and Technical College and Norton Healthcare – also continue to invest in the district. More than $560 million in education, research, health care and workforce development projects are currently underway on their downtown campuses.
 
 
About the Louisville Medical & Education District (LOUMED)
The Louisville Medical and Education District (LOUMED) is a 22-square-block hub where health care, education, research and community come together in downtown Louisville. Anchored by the University of Louisville, UofL Health, Jefferson Community and Technical College and Norton Healthcare, LOUMED institutions collectively employ 18,000 people and educate 10,000 students, with a combined annual payroll exceeding $1 billion. Through partnerships and investments in public spaces, LOUMED supports the people who work, study, receive care or visit the district while contributing to Louisville’s continued growth.

For more information about LOUMED and its initiatives, visit louisvillemedicaleducationdistrict.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.