Overview
- The design unveiling, which took place Tuesday, August 11, 2026, introduced a Heatherwick Studio plan that focuses first on structural fixes and then on new public amenities.
- The project will repair and reinforce roughly one million square feet of elevated concrete and the parking garage underneath to address cracks, waterproofing failures and current weight restrictions that limit heavy and emergency vehicles.
- Phased construction will begin in fall 2026 with garage reinforcement work, the Belvedere will close after Thunder Over Louisville 2027, and city officials target a reopening by Thunder Over Louisville 2030.
- Planned public amenities include the Firefly Pavilion performance stage, a multi-use path to the Ohio River, a children's nature playground with a water feature, and nearly 350 new trees to encourage year-round use.
- Funding commitments from the state, city and federal sources have been announced but a final price will be released only after competitive bidding, with Whittenberg Construction serving as the contractor and Bernheim Forest advising on nature-play elements.