Interface Studio

    Rubbertown Corridor Economic Development Strategy
    Louisville, KY

    The West Louisville chemical manufacturing complex known as Rubbertown was at a crossroads. Once surrounded by undeveloped land and isolated from the City of Louisville, the Corridor got its name when Japanese control of natural rubber supplies compelled the U.S. government to select the area for synthetic rubber manufacture to support the war effort.  Over the years, the Corridor transitioned to commercial chemical manufacturing embedded within a network of established communities. This proximity has generated friction as nearby communities have taken issue with the chemical plants’ emissions, truck traffic and aging infrastructure. Yet, the district directly employs more than 1,400 people and supports another 6,370 jobs in the region.

    In September of 2009, Louisville Metro Government, the Louisville Chemistry Partnership and Greater Louisville Inc. set out to develop a comprehensive strategy intended to identify necessary quality of life improvements for Corridor residents while developing an economic and land strategy to transition the manufacturing complex toward ecological sustainability and increased competitiveness.

    Central to achieving these goals include:  creating a distinctive identity and image crafted to convey the district’s potential; developing strategies for a progressive upgrading of manufacturing operations to sustainable methods of energy use, material flows, waste management, water use, and the integration and support of natural systems;  identifying mutually beneficial business synergies centered on plant expertise, infrastructure, products or processes, or service or supply functions; improving infrastructure and; identifying potential opportunities for new, green industrial development.

    Client: Louisville Metro Government Economic Development Department, Greater Louisville, Inc., Louisville Chemistry Partnership

    Project Team: Economics at AECOM

    Rubbertown companies account for more than 1,400 direct jobs in west Louisville.
    Rubbertown companies account for more than 1,400 direct jobs in west Louisville.
    Zoom
    Our analysis begain with a detailed survey of the Rubbertown Corridor.
    Our analysis begain with a detailed survey of the Rubbertown Corridor.
    Zoom
    Of course, how the Corridor is experienced was critical to planning for its future.
    Of course, how the Corridor is experienced was critical to planning for its future.
    Zoom
    The different types of developable land found in the Rubbertown Corridor present unique challenges.
    The different types of developable land found in the Rubbertown Corridor present unique challenges.
    Zoom
    Corridor-wide, development opportunities were clustered in distinctive nodes.
    Corridor-wide, development opportunities were clustered in distinctive nodes.
    Zoom
    Rubbertown suffered from a lack of identity - critical to addressing this issue were the gateways to the Corridor.
    Rubbertown suffered from a lack of identity - critical to addressing this issue were the gateways to the Corridor.
    Zoom
    A strategic design intervention at a prominent entry point to the Corridor both announces arrival and hints at future aspiritations.
    A strategic design intervention at a prominent entry point to the Corridor both announces arrival and hints at future aspiritations.
    Zoom
    Petroleum storage tanks offer dramatic opportunities for public art, but how about raptor nesting boxes or poplar trees and alfalfa, capable of absorbing atmostpheric benzene associated with such sites, planted in the slack space?
    Petroleum storage tanks offer dramatic opportunities for public art, but how about raptor nesting boxes or poplar trees and alfalfa, capable of absorbing atmostpheric benzene associated with such sites, planted in the slack space?
    Zoom