Opponents of the Paristown Pointe development say they are taking the city to court

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Commonly referred to as the old Urban Government Center. Before that, it was the old Baptist Hospital. Current development plans will see the buildings demolished and replaced with residential apartments, a hotel, office space, shops and a car park.

But after 6 years of debate, Louisville Historic League President Steve Wiser is among the preservationists who still want to preserve the buildings and develop the green space. On November 1, Wiser announced plans to sue the city, accusing the Louisville metro government of not following legal guidelines in approving the development.

“These legal handrails specify that any major changes must go through an approval process,” Wiser said at a news conference about the property. “It is our contention from Metro Louisville that it did not follow these legal guidelines.”

However, some Paristown Pointe residents support the development.

“We don’t need a 10-acre park. We don’t need it,” resident Cindy Pablo said as she unexpectedly joined the news conference, criticizing plans for the trial.

“They might want a park so they can come from other neighborhoods and come here and have fun and do whatever,” Pablo said. “But the people who live here in Paristown Pointe don’t want a park.”

Wiser said the lawsuit will be filed in the next two weeks. Demolition of the abandoned buildings is expected to begin in December.