LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, touted the city's recent success and highlighted areas of growth in his annual State of the City address Thursday at the Bomhard Theater in downtown Louisville. 

“You can see it in our new crime strategy; in our new emergency family shelter; new housing being built, new parks and libraries, new early learning options we’ll create for our kids and more jobs and more opportunities for Louisville families across the board,” Greenberg said. “The state of our city is strong – and getting stronger, safer and healthier for everyone in every neighborhood with each passing day.”

Greenberg highlighted his key priorities for 2025 while looking back on accomplishments over the past two years of his administration. Major focus areas include improving public safety, building more affordable housing and growing downtown. He said shootings in Louisville are down 40% over the past four years and praised Paul Humphrey, who was appointed chief of police of the Louisville Metro Police Department in Sept. 2024.

In Dec. 2024, the Louisville Metro Government and the Department of Justice agreed on the language of a consent decree promising reforms in LMPD. This stems from a March 2023 DOJ investigation that found the department had a history of discrimination and excessive force.

However, it is not yet in effect, as a federal judge needs to sign off on it. Under President Donald Trump, the DOJ has put a freeze on all civil rights cases. 

"We are transforming the culture of LMPD and providing the tools they need to be the most trained, trusted and transparent police department in America," Greenberg said. "Fundamental changes are underway, and we expect even more significant progress this year,"

2024 saw Louisville's highest number of jobs added in seven years, Greenberg said. He also addressed the city's need for more affordable housing to help boost the city's workforce and economy and discussed how his administration is committed to homeless prevention. This includes a $21 million investment in Louisville's first Community Care Campus, which will open in multiple phases over the next three years.

Phase I of the Community Care Campus opened in Nov. 2024. 

“We worked with Volunteers of America, PNC Bank and others to open the emergency family shelter last November because no child should ever have to sleep on the street,” Greenberg said.

Greenberg made significant announcements about two newly formed independent nonprofits. The Louisville Economic Development Alliance (LEDA) will announce a CEO in the coming weeks while Thrive by 5 Louisville, which offers free early learning opportunities for three- and four-year-olds, will name a new executive director this spring. The mayor helped launch Thrive by 5 last year to help boost early learning opportunities. 

Lastly, the mayor revealed conceptual designs for the Belvedere in downtown Louisville. It is set to be rebuilt after turning 50 years old in 2024, and the city is seeking community input. 

“Together, we will make the new Belvedere a symbol of who we are as one Louisville and of our city’s new direction,” Greenberg said. “The new Belvedere is just one of the many exciting things that we’re creating all over our city, and it demonstrates how my team and I are approaching our work every day to think big, embrace new opportunities, move fast and make things happen.”

Read Greenberg's Full State of the City address on the city's website. 

Greenberg took office Jan. 2, 2023, succeeding Greg Fischer.