The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page A8

A8 COURIER-JOURNAL 65 64 65 65 WATERFRONT Proposal Arena on 4.8-acre site bordered by Slugger Field, Waterfront Park and Waterfront Park Place. Pros Highly visible from interstates and in an area of town seeing wide revitalization. Cons Waterfront Development Corp. opposes this arena site, saying it would be out of to Waterfront Park. Supporters of athleticdirec- tor Tom Jurich has supported this site if the arena is built downtown.

Price Not determined. Parking 3,728 parking spots within three blocks, according to the Parking Authority of River City. Land Owned by brothers Todd and Jonathan Blue. Assessed value $860,300. LOUISVILLE WATER CO.

BLOCK Proposal Arena on the downtown block bounded by Second, Third and Liberty streets and Muhammad Ali Boulevard. Pros Near downtown hotels, restaurants and the Kentucky International Convention Center. Development could boost downtown economy. Cons Not as visible from interstate as riverfront or campus sites. Several historic structures would have to be torn down or their facades incorporated into the arena.

Supporters Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson is a supporter but says he will support any downtown site. Downtown Development Corp. and Metro Council member Dan Johnson also like downtown sites. Price Not determined. Parking 12,000 spaces within three blocks.

Land Owned by Midtown Enterprises Legendary Properties LLC, William and Mary Lou Marzian, Lydia and Olive Heuser, Parking Systems. Assessed value $6.5 million. Louisville owns two tracts worth $346,060. I-65 SILOS NEAR BELKNAP CAMPUS Proposal arena with 60 luxury suites and 2,000 club seats and managed by Kentucky State Fair Board. Pros Would help UofL build of with its basketball teams playing in a corridor that includes facilities for football, baseball, softball, soccer and other sports.

Cons Limited economic impact for downtown or to the fairgrounds. Supporters: UofL. Price $163 million, plus cost to buy land and build parking spaces. Parking Must be constructed, although some spots used for students and for Papa Cardinal Stadium would be available. Owner Protein Technologies, which does business at the site as The Solae Co.

Assessed value $5.4 million. OLD CARDINAL STADIUM Proposal arena with 60 suites and up to 2,000 club seats. Pros State already owns land; arena could add to fairgrounds amenities. Cons: Would be surrounded by asphalt parking that would not spur economic development, some say. Supporters Fairgrounds, UofL.

Price $163 million. Parking 19,000 spots. Land Owned by fairgrounds. Assessed value None. Fairgrounds Downtown (Water Co.

or Waterfront) I-65 Silos IF YOU GO What: Public hearing to gather opinions on an arena. When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow. Where: Conference theater, Ken- tucky International Convention Center, 221Fourth St.

Speakers: Limited to seven minutes; sign up at the hearing. OTHER WAYS TO COMMENT Mail: Billy Reed, Executive Director of Communications, Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, 500 Mero St. (24th floor), Frankfort, KY 40601. Web: www.arenataskforce.com Anonymous recommendations be considered. Closer Look: Arena debate at center court The renderings Artist conceptualizations courtesy of Luckett and Farley Architects Engineers and Construction Managers Inc.

and Downtown Development Corp. The photos By Michael Hayman, The Courier-Journal We asked readers for their opinions on the arena debate and received hundreds of responses. Here are a few. Read more at I think Dr. suggested location of an on-campus arena was excellent.

However, I believe that the legislature would EVER agree to spend this money at Boyce D. George, Louisville the arena at the fairgrounds. Take the dollars the city is going to spend on the arena and use it to develop a fast transit rail system to link the downtown with the fairgrounds, of stadium and Churchill Downs corridor. When slots come to Churchill Downs we will need some way to get the people to the Russ Riedling, Highlands and foremost, I think it should be built downtown in order to continue to revitalize that area and stimulate economic growth overall. If that cannot be achieved, I must admit I like Dr.

idea about knocking down the silos and putting the arena in their place. Whatever, is done please do NOT build it at the Pete Pullen, Louisville believe the arena should be downtown. What better place then where all of the hotels and new 4th Street Live is? There is no reason for the arena to be anywhere else. There would be no draw for people to simply go to where the silos are, and trying to get in and out of the fairgrounds is an absolute Debra Lanham, Louisville think the site on Main at 15th street, referred to as the Portland site, makes the most sense. Easy access to I-64, an area of town that has room to grow and re-develop, close to Rev.Jim Oxyer, Louisville seriously think they should leave the stadium at Freedom Hall.

Parking downtown will be out of control. simple they have any. The waterfront is one of the most beautiful parks in the nation, and yet you have to park almost a mile away every time you go there on a nice Leslie Bowles, Louisville think that, if the arena is not on campus, there should be a light-rail transport to and from the University of Louisville. I believe that it is important for the new arena to have sufficient space for a larger student Ellen Louisville think the new arena should be built on the old Water Co. lot.

University of Louisville will only use the arena to play approximately 20 games per year. The city could use the arena the rest of the year for concerts, plays and Evette Thomas, Louisville fairground provides parking, and that is key to handling the crowds. People can still gather at the restaurants afterward, so that should not be an issue. Sure we want to draw people downtown but make that draw professional Richard Bache, Louisville The Courier-Journal Best home for an arena? here should Louisville build an arena or of basketball games and other vents? (results from a C-J Web poll.) I-65 silos near of L's Belknap campus Old Cardinal Stadium at the fairgrounds Water Company block next to Marriott hotel in downtown Louisville 1 5,120 votes Other Waterfront block next to Slugger Field in downtown Louisville Readers speak out.