EyesoreThere may be some hope for cleaning up some of those crappy looking properties about a block south of Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, across from the Green Lot on Floyd Street.

The worst is the storage yard surrounded by the 15-foot red and black corrugated metal fence, the one that always appears on the verge of collapse. A ugly, neglected place that University of Louisville recruiters probably steer clear of en route to the football complex. A downer for any UofL fan on the way to a football game, it’s that bad.

A site (above right) adjacent to the property has been purchased by Richard Berger, of Highland Hardwood Flooring. Berger plans to clean up his property and open an office there, and he hopes he can convince the neighbors to make some improvements as well.

“It looks awful in its current condition,” he said. “I’m going to do everything I can to improve the appearance of the immediate area.”

The junkers have been moved to a back lot. (Click to enlarge.)
The junkers have been moved to a back lot. (Click to enlarge.)

Berger said the property immediately north of his was once used to store wrecked cars for an auto parts business but all the vehicles were moved out some time ago. Probably moved a half block behind the current site to one occupied by Evans Auto Supplies.

“The site is supposed to be for sale,” he said, noting that the owner sold parking for UofL football game last season. “I called to inquire about the property but nobody ever called me back.”

He’s also got to tolerate for now another smaller site to his right, equally ugly and with unpainted and rusting fencing that still contains a number of junk cars. “It’s not very pretty either,” he said.

One has to wonder whether operators of storage yards is waiting for the university to buy them out. Could be a long wait.

Until that happens, the best hope of cleaning up the eye sores lies with Richard Berger’s powers of persuasion.

Share this

By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.