What the C-J "didn't want you to see"

Pssst.. The Courier-Journal tucks letters they don't want you to read on their "web-only reader letters" section. But we thought you might be interested. Enjoy and keep the faith.

CJ's bridge hoax

The new event for Derby Week is the race between the bridges. Not really a nail biter however. Design B and Design C get the support of graffiti artists and homeless campers but are relatively unpopular for those of us that will have to pay for them and look at them. On the other hand there is Design A: a sleek, narrow, glistening band of concrete, framing the distant horizon of the great lawn, supported by those graceful and oh so creative McArches. And to think the Transportation Cabinet wanted to keep this lovely design all to itself. Those cads.

Forget 8664. Now we can all rally around the new cause-celeb led by the tough independent professionals on the Courier Journal staff.

While "The Hoax" is still playing at the Baxter Theater, a better one is on display in our own Forum Section. David Hawpe may not look much like Richard Gere but the plot line is riveting. Oh, by the way, if you want to know what Design A will really look like, type in 8664.org.

ERIC HANSEN
Louisville 40205

Favors East End bridge

Most of us who support light rail and the 8664 initiative also support the construction of an East End or upriver bridge, because we believe that doing so will reduce downtown traffic congestion and improve air quality. It is important to remember that the Environmental Protection Agency consistently rates Louisville's air quality as the worst in the region. Unless we implement a transportation plan that seeks to reduce urban vehicle emissions, we will never improve our city's air quality, and business investment in Louisville will suffer as a result.

Support for 8664 is growing alongside doubts about the economic viability of the current Bridges Project. Over 7,000 people have voiced their approval at www.8664.org, and 8664 yard signs and bumper stickers are now a common sight around town. Louisville's independent newspaper LEO carried a cover story about 8664 in its Sept. 27 edition. That same day Tyler Allen, the chief promoter of 8664, spent two hours on WHAS radio with Joe Elliot.

Approve of vision

Those who learn about 8664 overwhelmingly approve of its vision. At the same time, the Kentucky legislature has been confronted with the hard reality that $2.5 billion will not be enough to complete two bridges and the Spaghetti Junction redesign. We can no longer ignore the fact that the 8664 initiative and a light rail system offer a better and less expensive solution to Louisville's long term transportation and business needs.

We need to more carefully examine the achievements of San Francisco, Milwaukee, and Portland Ore., all of which are cities that removed expressways from their central districts. They stimulated growth by creating a more humane environment for their residents. Eliminating a two-mile stretch of I-64 would allow us to do the same for Louisville. We could reconnect our city to its river and encourage retail and residential growth. We would further strengthen Louisville's economic revitalization by promoting development in the Portland and West Louisville districts.

What Louisville needs most is comprehensive urban planning, an emphasis on urban livability, and an attitude that embraces a transportation system that lives in harmony with its community. Light rail and 8664 are the right vision for Louisville.

The writer is an engineer who owns a Louisville-based software and Information Technology consulting firm. He was an unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Congress in the May Democratic primary.

Just Say No

Regarding the question whether to keep I-64 as a downtown thoroughfare, I stand firmly with those who say no.

Louisville's oft-stated goal of reclaiming our historic downtown and waterfront as a place where the city comes together and the plan to expand Spaghetti Junction by doubling interstate traffic lanes and building another bridge are incompatible.

City officials have said the revitalized downtown and waterfront parks are to be a model of and an advertisement for a world-class city.

It doesn't make sense to spend millions of taxpayer dollars toward that vision and then spend hundreds of millions more to cover it.

Building a convergence of three major interstates in the downtown may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but approaching the problem now with the perspective that the only way to fix it is to make it larger, is making the same mistake twice.

The reality is that we don't need it at all.

By utilizing existing suburban loops and the east-end bridge to facilitate the removal of the downtown stretch of I-64, east and west commuter spurs would be created allowing a great simplification of the junction. This plan proposed by 8664.org is sound and follows the example of forward-thinking cities that have deconstructed portions of their downtown interstates.

These cities and communities have already benefited economically by thinking boldly and acting decisively to correct the mistakes of the past. We can do the same and it should become a key part of the downtown plan.

James Moore

8664 most `inspiring proposal'

In regard to Bob Hill's column on "8664": Thanks for the first reasonable piece that I have read on Tyler Allen's 8664 brainstorm. I have been surprised at the vitriol that has come out of the C-J editorial board on this proposal. 8664 is the most inspiring proposal about the future look, feel and livability of Louisville that I have seen in a long time. It would change the nature of downtown Louisville for generations. It would create a new face, new economic opportunities and would distinguish Louisville from all the other concrete jungles that we have created over the years. It would open up the west corridor of the riverfront to redevelopment. It would save and enhance the public investment we have made in Waterfront Park. It is the most important public issue this community has on its plate.

I agree that it needs study and that the traffic issues it creates must be analyzed. But we are so hell bent on getting a bunch of federal dollars that we remain immune to its consequences. It is not in the best interest of Louisville to make it easy for folks that live miles away to get in and out. Or to give truck traffic to St. Louis the most direct route. Our best interest is creating an exciting and livable city. The building of the East End bridge has given us this opportunity. I hope we don't squander it. And I hope that you will not let this issue drop from your column.

Creighton Mershon, 40207

8664 discussion overdue

This former skeptic has jumped on the 8664 bandwagon for one very simple reason. It is not that the real agenda is ultimately "86"-ing the East End Bridge through delay and obfuscation as Doug Cobb opined. It is not opposition to the politics of local and federal leadership, or to the editorial territory staked out by The Courier-Journal - with which I frequently disagree.

It is simply this: The vision painted by the folks at 8664.org and the reasoning behind that vision, are both compelling and to date no formal study has been made to vet either the vision or the reasoning.

What will be done on Louisville's riverfront over the next 50 to 100 years will have a significant effect on the city's future. Almost everyone seems to agree on that point.

In that case, what is wrong with taking another 1 to 3 years to evaluate what 8664 is proposing? The argument that further delay will imperil the funding by, and commitment of, all levels of government that are already in place shows a lack of faith in leadership, by the leadership.

Here is the challenge for all of us: Step out of our comfort zone and really listen to a presentation with an open mind. You may be shocked by how much your mind can change in just a few minutes. You may be shocked at how simple the task of answering just one question seems: Is the idea worthy of serious study and consideration, not pat answers and unstudied hip-shooting?

Brian Taylor, 40202

`Efficient transportation'

Building roadways and bridges to handle the largest possible traffic is wasteful and unnecessary. The two-bridge "solution" is just that. A more appropriate vision and plan is articulated by the 8664 proposal. If there is a need for additional concrete and a downtown bridge, which I am unconvinced of, a light rail system running from both Jeffersonville and Clarksville across the big four bridge with routes throughout downtown as well as staggered morning work hours would eliminate that need.

An issue not discussed so far is security. Allowing interstate trucks with hazardous cargo into populace areas and our central business district is dangerous. Routing such traffic across the east end bridge would make us all safer.

The proposed vision of Louisville with large expanses of concrete and an extraneous bridge into our city's most beautiful area is shortsighted. Concentrating our civic energy and dollars on more efficient transportation is vision. Spending billions on roadways for cars, whose use will wane before their completion, is improvident. Creating this "concrete awning" over our waterfront park is incongruous with its mission, to reconnect us with our river.

We don't need a "fix" for an old problem. We need to eliminate it.

Jim Busch, 40204