The Commonwealth
Convention CenterSeen at its most inviting corner, the convention center was a fine example of the architecture of the 1970s. Even in bright sunlight the building was cold and forbidding. Three fourths of the building had no windows or doors, much less shops or other people friendly street level elements. Except at the Fourth Street entrances, it looked much like a mausoleum, which may ironically be symbolically fitting, considering the history of the site.
Because of the recent criticisms, the "old" convention center has gotten a complete facelift along with an expansion which added an additional city block of facilities. True to form, the city has razed the adjacent block piece-meal over the past few years in anticipation of the new construction. While the new complex seems to be taking on a bit more cheerful character, it still does not have the quality or aesthetic appeal, or the "downtown character," of the buildings it replaced. It may still be too early to say if there will be enough street-level interest for a pedestrian to stroll around its two full city blocks.
There is, however, some hope that the impressively large facility, along with other downtown projects, by drawing more conventioneers to Louisville, may help stimulate the downtown commercial revitalization the city so desperately needs.
