The redevelopment of Phoenix Park is gaining traction after years of stagnation.

Yesterday, city officials kicked off construction for the re-imaged space in the heart of downtown. This is roughly a year after initial plans + renderings were announced.

The park, located at the corner of Main Street + N. Limestone across from City Center, has been a space for gather for 30+ years, paying homage to the home of the former Phoenix Hotel.

Once the $4.6 million in upgrades are completed — its expected to be done in early 2025, residents can expect to see —

New play equipment
An interactive fog area
Bench swings
Shade structures,
A performance stage area,
An improved dog park
And space for future public art.

Last week, Mayor Linda Gorton's $505 million budget detailed a ~$2 million proposal that would go towards reimagining the downtown park at the corner of Main Street and South Limestone.

The total cost of the project, which includes both public and government input, would be around $4.6 million and come from —

~$1.6 million in partnership opportunities
$1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding
~$613,000 in future phase options
~$604,000 in value engineered options

The renderings of Phoenix Park come from local landscape architect Element Design, which is known for its work at the Kentucky Children's Garden in the Arboretum, as well as international firm Gresham Smith.

Proposed additions to the park include—

A redesigned dog park
A small stage
A playground
Leveling the entrance with the street
Public art
Turf mounds
Water fountains

Once completed, the park will connect to the ongoing Town Branch Park project and boost the walkability of downtown. Local groups have advocated for the redesign for years, particularly as the area has seen exponential growth in recent years with the inclusion of mix-use building City Center and the revamp of Rupp Arena.

There will be Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting today at 1 p.m. to discuss the proposed budget. This meeting is open to the public or can be watched online. The COW will take a final vote on the budget at the beginning of June, and if the park's proposal is given the green light, construction could begin as soon as spring 2024.