West St. Catherine Neighborhood Association

Period Lighting

Aug 14, 2003

Re-printed below is the letter sent to Mayor Abramson on behalf of WSCNA in an effort to restore our period lights.


July 21, 2003

Mayor Jerry Abramson
Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government
527 West Jefferson Street, Suite 400
Louisville, Kentucky 40202-2814

Dear Mayor Abramson:

I am writing to discuss with you the possibility of renewing our efforts at either having the cobra lighting taken down on West Saint Catherine Street, or, alternately, having the City provide -- as the primary source of our lighting --- the period lighting already installed on our street. As I have stressed in previous correspondence to City officials from the last administration (namely Bill Herron), the period lighting that Louisville Gas & Electric installed on our street currently meets all ordinances for city lighting, and provides lighting for, not only the roadway, but for our front doors.

Period lighting serves many purposes. When our homes were constructed, it is true that the lighting on our street was very similar to what is there now; however, aesthetics is not our only concern. As any of our residents and neighbors, as well as the many visitors to our area, will attest, when these lights are lit there is a much increased and appreciated perception of security and safety as a result of the period lighting. West Saint Catherine is a much lighter and safer street with the advent of period lighting---a definite positive when it comes to promoting our common vision of making the City the place to live, work and play.

Recognizing that one of the major goals of merger was the reduction in duplication of services, it seems a simple solution to this matter exists in the removal of the cobra lighting. The City should provide the historic district with the more appropriate period lighting, and reserve its cobra style lighting with its contemporary design for more suburban surroundings.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. If I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,


Rhonda Williams
Chair of the West Saint
Catherine Neighborhood Association

CC: Councilperson George Unseld