"The bar is now on the ground": Mid City Market approved despite design criticism

Mid City Market took a major step forward Tuesday when a city design committee voted to approve demolition of the existing Mid City Mall and construction of the new development.

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The Bardstown Road/Baxter Avenue Review Overlay District Committee met Tuesday morning to consider Branch Properties' request to demolish the commercial building and construct five new commercial buildings on the site- the project now known as Mid City Market.

But the approval didn't come without some back-and-forth over design and at least one vocal opponent.

"The bar is now on the ground"

Deborah Harlan, a Bonnycastle neighborhood resident, showed up to speak against the project, calling it a "missed opportunity."

Harlan rattled off a list of concerns: the lack of red brick, what she described as a major problem for pedestrians because of the distance between Bardstown Road and the entrance to the grocery store, a lack of housing, and a color palette that doesn't match the neighborhood.

"We set the bar high for many, many years. The bar is now on the ground and being stepped on," she told the committee.

The brick debate

Harlan wasn't alone in wanting more red brick. It was one of the committee's own requests for the design. But Jesse Shannon, president of Branch Properties, didn't mince words in his response.

"We're not going to put our name on the line for a project that we don't feel is best in class and design," Shannon told the committee, calling the red brick suggestion "not good design."

Shannon explained that the building design is based on a specific color pattern, with the architect drawing inspiration from Bardstown Road and the Highlands. It's the same approach Shannon mentioned at a Tyler Park Neighborhood Association meeting earlier this year, when he said the company had sent an architect to photograph "significant architectural properties" around Louisville to make the development "feel native" to the area.

You can see the design renderings here.

Say goodbye to Mid City Mall, hello to Mid City Market

Developer ‘Branch Properties’ revealed the new vision for Mid City Mall, which includes a Publix, public library, and retail space that hopes to attract local and national businesses. “I’m Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you

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The parking vs. green space tension

There was also significant discussion about adding more green spaces and potentially removing buildings or parking. The committee said those were two priorities for them.

But the developer pushed back, warning that eliminating any more parking could have serious consequences: losing the grocery tenant.

While Branch Properties has been coy about officially naming the grocer, Shannon's comment all but confirms what neighbors have suspected- it's Publix. And apparently, Publix has parking requirements that can't be negotiated away.

The exchange highlights the delicate balancing act developers face when trying to satisfy both community desires for green space and the practical demands of major retail tenants.

"34 neighborhood meetings"

Cliff Ashburner, the attorney representing Branch Properties, made the closing argument for approval, pointing to the extensive community engagement process.

After three public hearings and 34 neighborhood meetings, Ashburner said, "all of the organizations decided to support the plan."

He asked the committee to take that into consideration, along with modifications the developer agreed to make- including adding a mural to the back wall of the grocery store.

Balancing design and economic reality

One committee member seemed to capture the tension in the room, acknowledging the need to balance aesthetics with economic vitality.

"Our purpose is to enhance the appearance and economic vitality of one of the city's most appealing neighborhoods, so we do have that economic vitality to be kept in mind," the committee member said. "Mid City Mall has not been the spot in town for a while now, so this is an opportunity that we do need to take seriously from an economic standpoint. Not just the color of the bricks."

Shannon had made a similar point earlier, acknowledging that Branch Properties has navigated a flood of feedback over the past few months.

"We have dealt with tons of opinions throughout the dozens of neighborhood meetings," Shannon said, adding that the company has had to weigh the pros and cons of each suggestion.

What's next

With the design committee's approval secured, Mid City Market moves closer to reality. The project includes a 50,000-square-foot grocery store- now all but confirmed as Publix- along with retail buildings, outdoor patio spaces, and potentially a public library.

The development is a joint venture between Branch Properties and the Metz family, who currently own the Mid City Mall property. The existing structure is slated for demolition by the end of 2024, with the new Mid City Market expected to open in the first quarter of 2028.

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