LG&E is abandoning downtown for the East End

An OpEd by commercial realtor David Nicklies lamenting the LGE departure from downtown Louisville

As downtown Louisville works to overcome unprecedented challenges including a record high vacancy rate of quality office space, our power company, LG&E, quietly announced it is leaving the heart of our city.

Some 200 LG&E employees will work elsewhere beginning in 2025 when LG&E abandons 14 floors at 220 W. Main Street, where they have been since 1990. …

Another huge blow to downtown Louisville

The exit from the Central Business District would have far-reaching implications for our city’s already struggling downtown, and it underscores the dire need for more office workers to patronize businesses in our city’s Central Business District. Around 25% of move-in-ready Class-A office space downtown was vacant as of mid-2023. Since 2019, there has been an 82% increase in vacancies. This will be another huge blow.

Read more.

The article cited the University of Toronto’s School of Cities downtown recovery rankings. “Recovery” is in reference to Covid-19 fallout. Louisville is seventh from the bottom.