Episode 12: Deborah Bilitski, Executive Director, Waterfront Development Corporation

With a background in law, city government, land use, and community development, Deborah Bilitski joined Louisville’s Waterfront Park in 2018 to continue its transformation into a city treasure. While developing a premiere destination for more than 2.2M visitors and over 150 events and celebrations annually, she and her team are set to expand the park even further. In this episode, Bilitski shares her leadership journey and how she has thrived personally and professionally. 

Transcript

Sarah Hempstead: Hello, and thank you for tuning into the Navigating the Unknown through Creative Leadership. I'm Sarah Hempstead, AIA LEED AP principal in charge and CEO of Schmidt Associates, both a nonprofit organization and a public park in Louisville, Kentucky. Waterfront Park borders the Ohio River and serves as the front door into a city that connects people to the river.

Sarah Hempstead: Once a wasteland of scrap yards and abandoned industrial buildings, waterfront Park is now a vibrant 85 acre green space that welcomes over 2.2 million visitors annually for free hosting some Louisville's most exciting celebrations, such as 4th of July at Waterfront Park, the Castle Festival, and the WFPK watercraft Wednesdays.

Sarah Hempstead: The park has something to offer everyone. Residents can take walks, ride bikes, do yoga, and enjoy the breathtaking view of the city from the Big Four Bridge as the most utilized urban park In Louisville Waterfront is where residents come together to celebrate a unique sense of community, and it's made possible by the generosity of supporters.

Sarah Hempstead: Here to talk with me today about Waterfront Park is Deborah President and CEO. Under Deborah's leadership, waterfront Park has continued to thrive with community partnerships, new fundraisers and events, and the development of phase four of the park. That will include a $14 million outdoor education and entertainment space with the Kentucky Science Center.

Sarah Hempstead: Called play board at Blackground Park. Deborah, welcome to the show. Thanks for meeting. Well, thank you for having me, 

Deborah Bilitski: Sarah. 

Sarah Hempstead: Very pleased to be here today. Well, let's start by talking about your background. Now. Tell me about young Deborah. Was she always interested in parks? Well, 

Deborah Bilitski: um, I would say yes, as all people are interested in parks, but not specifically interested in parks like as a career.

Deborah Bilitski: No. So how did you, where'd you grow up and how'd you get your start? I grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania in a small town called Union Town. Uh, spent my entire childhood and high school years there. After high school I came to Louisville for the first time as, uh, to do my first two years of undergrad studies.

Deborah Bilitski: And after two years here, I ended up transferring back to my home land, uh, of Pennsylvania and finished my second two years of college. At the University of Pittsburgh and after I graduated from Pitt, I then came back to Louisville. And, uh, went to law school here. So, and have been here ever since. I started my career here.

Deborah Bilitski: And I've just kind of become entrenched. And this is my home. I've been here in Louisville longer than I've been anywhere else. And so I really do consider it my home. So from law school in Louisville, what was your first job? Right outta college. Out of out of law school. Outta law school? Yes. So I began my career in private practice in a very small law firm.

Deborah Bilitski: Uh, I was, uh, started there as a clerk actually in law school and then took a job there as after I graduated and there were, uh, kind of fluctuated, but anywhere from three to five or six attorneys there. And I was the only associate. And so I had the opportunity to work with, uh, all of the attorneys and learn a little bit of their particular practice areas.

Deborah Bilitski: And one of them. Actually spent the majority of his practice doing land use law, land use, planning and zoning, and I just sort of gravitated to that area. I would've never thought, uh, I never liked my property class in law school. I mean, it was just the worst. No offense to my professor. It was just not anything that really spoke to me.

Deborah Bilitski: Uh, but when I was out practicing and, and actually doing the work, I found I really loved doing the land use, land development planning and zoning and real estate work, and just sort of gravitated in that direction. So I spent about two years at that law firm when I was approached by the county attorney's office.

Deborah Bilitski: The person who was doing the zoning at that time for the entire county had decided to take another position. So I was approached and asked to take that position, and that was actually my first foray into the public sector at the Jefferson County Attorney's office doing all of the planning and zoning for before.

Deborah Bilitski: At that time we were not yet merged, uh, for Jefferson County. And the Louisville Jeffers County Planning Commission. So I worked with the parks department and I worked with planning and zoning and I worked with the facilities folks, um, and public works and transportation and really just, uh, got a really good education while I was there.

Deborah Bilitski: It was a really big job for a young person, not 

Sarah Hempstead: too long 

Deborah Bilitski: out of, 

Sarah Hempstead: out of 

Deborah Bilitski: law school. It was, it was a big job and it's really a formative. It was a very formative time in my career. I didn't realize it at the time. I was just happy to have a job that. Paid me a salary and benefits, uh, 'cause because prior to that in my practice I was really more of a eat, but you kill sort of, uh, a pay structure.

Deborah Bilitski: So it was nice to have a steady salary and I thought, well, this will be interesting. And I had no idea what I was in or it was a real training ground. I got to do things that a two year, you know, two years outta law school attorney would not typically get to do like arguing cases and. Lower courts and even go into the Supreme Court of the state.

Deborah Bilitski: I was representing our planning commission at. Public hearings in front of hundreds of people having to make on the spot calls in very contentious situations. Uh, I I really, it was a very fertile training ground for me and it exposed me to so many different people, uh, from the public sector and the private sector in the real estate and development 

Sarah Hempstead: community.

Sarah Hempstead: So what'd you learn in trying to get all of those pieces and parts to head towards a common goal? 

Deborah Bilitski: I, I, I think it's, there's too much to really try to, to list, but I will tell you one of the things that, that I learned and I try to continue to take with me. Is not to be afraid to say, I don't know something, I don't know the answer.

Sarah Hempstead: Mm-hmm. 

Deborah Bilitski: And not to be afraid to go to my colleagues, my super supervisors, my uh, colleagues in the private sector and say, Hey, I've got this issue. I'm not exactly sure what to do about it. Uh, help me think it through. And that has been one of the most valuable. Tools. I just, I had to figure things out. I had to come up with answers.

Deborah Bilitski: I was the only person responsible for representing all of those entities and agencies. So I felt I had to make the decision that I had to make the right decision. So not being afraid to ask people for help, and people I find are incredibly willing when you ask them in a humble and respectful way.

Deborah Bilitski: There's so much power 

Sarah Hempstead: in that, right. Just the acknowledgement that, that none of us can do this all by ourselves and to pull, pull in our team, right. Of valuable experts. That's, that's awesome. So did that job lead you directly to 

Deborah Bilitski: Waterfront Park? Have you found out about waterfront? No. No. Very, very, uh, curvy path to waterfront.

Deborah Bilitski: I did not, I, I did not go straight to waterfront. I, I spent about nine years at the County attorney's office, and like I said, uh, incredibly. Valuable time. I loved all of it. I loved every minute of it. It was in a very transformative time of our local government as well. It was during I was, I was in the office when we were going through merger, so took a big part in the merger of our city and county government.

Deborah Bilitski: Uh, got to work with the Global Metro Council in their very first days and training them up. Um, going from a small number of elected officials representing our county to now 26, mostly new elected officials and teaching them, uh, working with them, uh, teaching 'em the ropes about planning and zoning and land use.

Deborah Bilitski: Types of things. So it was wonderful. Uh, I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I hit a certain point and periodically during my time there, I had been approached by, by attorneys I knew in the private sector about possibly moving into, into the private sector at one of the, of the local firms. And the timing, you know, just wasn't right at the time.

Deborah Bilitski: Uh, I was asked and. But at a certain point in time, I reached that place where I was ready. I felt like I was ready to try something new. Mm-hmm. And so after my nine years of practicing at the county attorney's office, I felt like I'd, I climbed that hill, uh, let me try my hand at the private sector. And so I then, um, had been approached periodically by some.

Deborah Bilitski: Uh, folks I know at the law firm of Wyatt Terran Combs. Mm-hmm. It's a, a good local firm here that. Uh, has a great reputation, longstanding history in our community. And, um, and so I decided to take a position with Wyatt Tarn comes and I then spent the next nine years of my career practicing in the private sector.

Deborah Bilitski: I'm going start dating myself. No, no. You good, you're good. Nobody, nobody can add it up. Don't do the math. Yeah. So I, I spent, uh, a wonderful, had a wonderful stay at Wyatt Terra and Combs. Love my partners. Um, went from just coming in with no client base whatsoever. They gave me this amazing platform, gave me all the tools I needed to really connect with the community and build a practice.

Deborah Bilitski: And over the next several years, I built a great practice. I, I got to work with some amazing clients. I got involved in some of the, uh, real estate and business organizations around the community, just. Really got to expand my network even wider and loved what I got to do. The, the firm was, was incredibly supportive and generous.

Deborah Bilitski: And in fact, uh, over the course of my time there, I elevated in my level from just being of council to being a, a partner to becoming an equity partner. In fact, becoming the head of the real estate lending. Firm wide in that, you know, in across multiple states. Mm-hmm. So they gave me every opportunity and every bit of support, and I love all of my partners there.

Deborah Bilitski: Um, but I, I have been practicing law now for, we do the math, about 20 years. Uh, had a very lucrative, uh, career going, had nowhere to go but up and absolutely no reason to leave. And I, uh, spent about a year just mulling over what, what did I wanna do with the next 20 years of my life mm-hmm. In my career.

Deborah Bilitski: And I didn't know the answer. I, I only knew how to practice law. That's all I know how to do. And I can't do anything else. So maybe I'll just stay. And, uh, but after about a year of just kind of thinking about it, I just said, you know, I'm not sure. I wanna do this for another 20 years. I'm not sure I don't wanna do it, but I'm not sure I do wanna do it.

Deborah Bilitski: And so I made the most difficult decision and it was, this was the most difficult decision of my career, was to leave my law firm and leave my partners and. Go back into the public sector and it, there, it was tearful. It was months of, of agonizing, and, uh, lots of, lots of tearful conversations and, and efforts to try to encourage me to stay.

Deborah Bilitski: And ultimately I just said, I need to unplug. I need to, to figure out if I wanna. Stay plugged. Mm-hmm. I needed that separation to just kind of clear my head and see if that's what I wanted to keep doing, because I started to feel toward the end of my time at, at the firm, I started to feel not excited about it.

Deborah Bilitski: I wasn't feeling. Enthusiastic. When I was working with clients, no, without anything about the clients in particular, it was in me and I thought, I'm not doing anyone any favors by representing someone and I'm not passionate and committed to it. Mm-hmm. I'm feeling like I'm not sure I wanna do this. So I ended up unplugging, I went back to a very familiar face that, a place that had said.

Deborah Bilitski: No matter what, anytime you ever wanna come back, we would love to have you. So I called my old friends at the county attorney's office and I said, I'm letting you know if you ever have a position that you think I would fit and be a good fit, uh, give me a call. And immediately they made a position and took me back.

Deborah Bilitski: So that was probably the hardest decision I had to, uh, leave a lot of ego. Uh, let go of a lot of ego, um, and the concern that people would think I couldn't cut it in the private sector even though I did cut it and I was doing very well in thriving. Uh, I, I struggled a lot with that whole mentally, like, will people think that I couldn't cut it in the private sector?

Deborah Bilitski: Which is so unfair because the public sector is every bit as difficult, if not more challenging in many, many ways. That's the private sector, so I, I, that is 

Deborah Bilitski: entirely, it just pays less entirely a. Huge pay cut. I had to cancel all my cable subscriptions and my dog walker. I had to cut my dog walker loose.

Deborah Bilitski: And 

Sarah Hempstead: so, so not many people are, are brave enough to even go through the process of reflecting 20 years into a career as that's making me happy. Is it sparking, sparking joy? Was it, was there a tipping point that made you even start that path of consideration? 

Deborah Bilitski: Yes. Well, there were a lot of things that were happening.

Deborah Bilitski: Um, some changes going on in my personal life, um, some kids coming into my life unexpectedly. Uh, that, that kind of makes you, forces you to, uh, reset your priorities a little bit. Um, and I will tell you the, the place. The time, the exact moment that I made the decision in my head, even though it was months kind of, of, of pondering it after that, how, and when and where, and what was on my first trip to the African continent.

Deborah Bilitski: Um, a trip to Kenya. When I absolutely had to unplug, and I know you're, you love, I love travel, but I 

Sarah Hempstead: haven't been attending yet, so I just, you see jealousy. 

Deborah Bilitski: You've been around, uh, the, the area, right? Yes, 

Sarah Hempstead: yes, and yes. I've been to Cameroon and I've been places in Africa, but not. 

Deborah Bilitski: There's, there was just something about that trip and I've traveled in my, in my past, you know, I started traveling the day I grad after I graduated law school.

Deborah Bilitski: It was the first trip overseas. I had been wanting to do it for so long, and the day after, I, I traveled overseas and went to Italy and, and that was, that was, that was a fun trip. Um, but, um, so. You know, I, I had taken my first trip to, to Kenya and I was forced to unplug from the device and the internet and, and the emails and so forth.

Deborah Bilitski: I did not know, I would have to unplug. I know they say that they have internet at the camps and whatnot, but their internet. Is quite a bit spottier than what we would consider. So, um, I actually was forced to unplug and I completely connected with nature and I, by the end of the trip, I, I promise you, my heart rate was slower, my blood pressure was lower, my thinking was calmer, and it was on the plane ride on the way back that I said I'm calling the county 

Sarah Hempstead: attorney's office.

Sarah Hempstead: Hm. 

Sarah Hempstead: That's, that's such a good advertisement for travel, first of all. Which, which, you're right, it is something I'm totally passionate about, but, but also just the idea that we need space in order to really think about our lives and be intentional about them for the next 20, 20 years, a long time. Mm-hmm.

Sarah Hempstead: Um, also love the part of your story that you, you closed the door and a window opened. Almost, almost immediately. Mm-hmm. To something, something better. 

Deborah Bilitski: Yes. Well, and then that's not the end of the story. Sorry to the listeners. I having to take this long as circuitous journey. Uh, so I, I went back to the county attorney's office and it was, it, uh, it greeted with open arms, warm open arms, and a lovely soft landing.

Deborah Bilitski: And I, I. I really didn't even have time to get settled in. I had been there just under a year, and I, I, I always say to anyone who my experience has been, it takes at least two years to decide if you're even gonna like it. You know, it takes at least two years to really start to get your arms around what you're doing and getting a, a little bit.

Deborah Bilitski: More of a comfort level. So I had been there about a year. Uh, I had been not focused solely on planning and zoning. Of course, that being my expertise, I, I weighed into it. But there were some younger, younger folks, some younger attorneys who had kind of been coming on and, and taking that on. I was working primarily with the Louisville Metro Council, who I always enjoyed working with.

Deborah Bilitski: I always have enjoyed local government and local politics and had great relationships already. So I had been working, uh, for almost a year, had quite decided if this was where I was gonna stay or if I was even going to go back to the law firm and. Had been meeting monthly with one of my partners there who kept asking, are you ready to come back?

Deborah Bilitski: When are you coming back? Sure. And I said, you know, I just got here, gimme a minute. And I was approached by someone in metro government to take the position as the director of develop Louisville. Which is one of the branch, which one of the branches under Louisville Forward. Mm-hmm. And developed Louisville oversaw, in addition to planning and zoning, the advanced planning, the housing and community development, vacant and abandoned properties, sustainability departments, uh, for a time the permitting, uh, building permit.

Deborah Bilitski: I'm sure I'm forgetting something else on Bright Side. Mm-hmm. So it was like right up my alley. This is all the things that I do and all the things that I know and all the things that I like. And so I thought, well, what a great idea. I'll go do that. Mm-hmm. And I took that position and it was different than what I had thought it would be, uh, because.

Deborah Bilitski: And it wasn't bad. It was just a very different, uh, it was much more management and all of my practicing law. I never truly managed people, I never had to deal with. HR issues. Um, it, it was just a lot more, which was great because I really didn't have that skillset and it gave me the opportunity to sort of build it and learn it and, and try to get my arms around it.

Deborah Bilitski: Uh, there were at one point about 150 employees that reported up through nine direct reports that I had that then I, you know, that reported to me. And so. It was, uh, it was a lot of, uh, people and that, I'll tell you a lot, that many people, there will be HR things a lot, uh, always are. Mm-hmm. And I will tell you, I've gained a massive respect for the HR people who handle those issues because they are very.

Deborah Bilitski: Challenging at times. And I, I just have a tremendous amount of respect for people who, who do hr. Um, I enjoyed it. I got to work on some amazing things. I would saw another side of this multi-sided thing that I had practiced, uh, on the private sector. I practiced in the public sector and now I'm actually working as within the.

Deborah Bilitski: Public sector, um, ma managing people and departments and projects. And so it was very different. It was, it was wonderful. I got to meet yet now another circle of people. And that's one thing that I think my career has given me. The, the, it has been a big benefit of my career and that is every place I've practiced, worked, stopped.

Deborah Bilitski: Uh, I've developed another circle and they all kind of intertwined, but I, you build another circle, you go somewhere else and you build another circle and it has just expanded my network exponentially. So I had the opportunity to do that. I was planning to stick around and wasn't sure at that point. Um, mayor Fisher has still had, uh, was still in his second term, didn't know if he was gonna serve another term, uh, or run for another term.

Deborah Bilitski: And, um. So I had planned to stick it out at least through the end of, of his then term. And much like a conversation I just had a few minutes ago with somebody that, that works with you. I was asked to lunch. To go to lunch. 

Deborah Bilitski: Mm-hmm. 

Deborah Bilitski: By David Caram, then executive director of Waterfront. And his then Deputy director Mike Kimmel.

Deborah Bilitski: Mm-hmm. Which was not odd or a surprise at all because I had been doing some work with Waterfront Park Sure. As part of their park expansion. They're in one of your circles? Yeah. Yeah. My many circles and they're in real estate and land use and so, uh, they invited me to lunch and I brought my little folder with me of the project that we were working on and sat down and had lunch with them and, and.

Deborah Bilitski: They did not wanna talk to me about the project. They wanted to talk to me about, um, coming over and joining the team at Waterfront Park, which was, I would tell you the, almost the moment the words left their lips, I, the, every, the light bulb, the bell rang, everything kind of connected in my head and I said.

Deborah Bilitski: That's why I've been doing all this. That's where I'm supposed to be. It was like everything just clicked. And I did not say that because of course, you know, you have to play a little, well, I mean, you're an attorney. You know better than just say yes 

Deborah Bilitski: and immediately, 

Deborah Bilitski: right? I said, well, that's a very intriguing, uh, proposition.

Deborah Bilitski: I would love to, I mean, I'm very interested, but I need to go think about it and I'll certainly get back with you. You know, as I'm walking out the door, I was like, I'm working at Waterfront Park. You know, so, um, so that's how that came about. Uh, it came to me and it came to me and I realized I left. Look, my predecessor and the amazing David Caram, uh, who served in the position as the executive director of Waterfront from day one.

Deborah Bilitski: Mm-hmm. 33 years in the position, that window does not open that crack. That sliver in the universe does not open very often. No, it does not. It opened, I was in the right place at the, at the right time, and I, they brought me through that sliver and it, you know, and here I am. It, it was just. It was fortuitous, all the, all the ups and downs and trials and tribulations and indecision and brain wracking and emotional distress.

Deborah Bilitski: It just kind of came together and it made sense. 

Sarah Hempstead: So did David make it clear that he, you were coming in to take, take eventually leadership of, of Waterfront. Did you feel like that was the. 

Deborah Bilitski: So they were very clear at the beginning, uh, in that meeting. Mm-hmm. The deputy director who had served as the deputy director for 28 years would be retiring at the end of the year, and they would like me to come in as the deputy director.

Deborah Bilitski: Uh, following followed, uh, Phil Mike's position. And, uh, within a few years, David was going to step down and their. Goal, desire wish was that I would then take David's position as the executive director. I did not take the position under that assumption or condition. I, this is a, a tight knit organization.

Deborah Bilitski: It's a closely held organization, if you will. Sure. And it is there, there are politics involved. We are a governmental entity. We're a government and private entity. We're sort of like a mishmash of everything. We are governed by a board of directors that, that's appointed by the governor and the mayor.

Deborah Bilitski: The governor and the mayor sit on our board or their designees. Um, so there's politics involved. Sure. Uh, there's a staff of people, a small staff that is more like a family than a staff that has been many of whom have been in their positions or since the beginning of the organization, or very close to the beginning.

Deborah Bilitski: 27 years, 26 years, 25 years. I mean, it would not be easy to walk into an organization. That only knows this executive director and his way of doing things, and he is beloved. 

Deborah Bilitski: Mm-hmm. 

Deborah Bilitski: Nobody wanted to see David, Karen, go. So, um, when I decided to take the position as deputy director, I was very clear. I if, if this is the position that I have and I.

Deborah Bilitski: Stay in. I'm very happy with that. Mm-hmm. For as long as it's working for everyone, and that's sort of been my philosophy all along. As long as it's working for everyone involved, I'm gonna stay in a position the moment it stops working for me or for those with whom I'm working or for whom I'm working.

Deborah Bilitski: Then it is time to look elsewhere. Um, I've been very fortunate to have a lot of opportunity to do that. Not everybody has that, um, that opportunity. So I, I went into the position thinking, we'll see where this goes. The staff may reject me. The board may not take to me, um, the powers that be may not want me to be there.

Deborah Bilitski: So if it's not working, I'm not going to force myself to stay in or make that a condition of accepting this let, that's not gonna serve the organization. It's not gonna serve the community. And, and so, so I took the, I took it very much thinking, I, doesn't matter to me. Let me see how this goes. If it works out.

Deborah Bilitski: Whenever David decides that he wants to step down and it, you know, and it, and it works out that it, that I would be the one to fill that position, then that would be great, but if not, I'll find my 

Sarah Hempstead: way. So I love that on both sides of the coin though, because David obviously knew his people well enough to know that, that you would be a good fit.

Sarah Hempstead: And he brought you in with enough time to work together and train and try it and see if it's something that sparked joy and made you happy and made you staff happy and worked that, that takes a, that takes a lot from my leaders to be that intentional about transitions. 

Deborah Bilitski: I cannot say enough about how beautifully and brilliantly David has conducted this transition.

Deborah Bilitski: Hmm, and it is all him. He has established such a culture. He is such a fine human being. You know, um, he is a humble human being. He is a very smart and very funny person, uh, and very endearing. And that doesn't mean he hasn't crossed paths with somebody in the past. You know, he served for 33 years in the General Assembly, and a lot of that was in leadership.

Deborah Bilitski: You don't. You don't do that without making a few people upset. It happens from time to day. Not everybody, you know, may have his high opinion, but most people do. And he not only brought me in and gave me the opportunity, but he then proceeded to be my biggest cheerleader, my strongest advocate. And support as well as a personal good friend, personal counselor.

Deborah Bilitski: Mm-hmm. Um, and comic relief, honestly, like sometimes you just gotta go in and get some comic relief, but it has been so graceful and it doesn't happen. This, this sort of transition is really hard. Yeah. It's how it's written on the, on, in the books. Mm-hmm. It's how, you know, it's how as attorneys who are elevating out of the age of practice and, and have built this massive client base are supposed to transition in younger attorneys, but it almost, uh, well, it rarely happens.

Deborah Bilitski: It happened. It was so, uh, it went so well, honestly, that, uh, we've been asked to talk about it. We've been asked to speak to people about it. And, and what it takes, honestly, I will say is somebody with the, with the willingness to, um. To let go. And it's, that's hard for people to do and let go, but have confidence in the person to whom you're passing the baton.

Deborah Bilitski: And that's what he says. He will say, well, it's, you know, she's Deborah's the greatest thing. And I'm, I have full confidence and, and I, you know, there's no better person to do this and, um, gives me some credit. But I do think the credit is. All owing to him. And it has been a, it continues to be a wonderful transition.

Deborah Bilitski: You know, he stepped down, I was there about a year and a half, and he decided to step down and pres as president in August of 2019. Interesting timing, by the way. Mm-hmm. And, um, so he stepped down in August of 2019 and then, um. But has stayed on as director emeritus. He continues to add value to the organization.

Deborah Bilitski: He does our design reviews. He helps us with the park expansion, which we haven't really talked about yet. And he, um, you know, he's, he's still there as my, as my counselor, my guiding star. You know, he's, he's amazing. That's awesome. And I hope he continues to come in as long as he possibly can. 

Sarah Hempstead: So tell me about the vision for the park and how it's, how it's changed over time from when David started to, to, 

Deborah Bilitski: well, um, I'll go back to the very beginning.

Deborah Bilitski: You know, it wasn't always determined that our, our waterfront would be a public park. Um, that, that kind of evolved. And are you from Louisville? Are you I'm, I'm from Ohio. Okay. So when did you come to Louisville? So 2019. Okay. So you are not familiar with what Louisville's Waterfront was? No. Prior to Waterfront Park for decades and decades, our waterfront, like many, many others around the country, was a basically an industrial wasteland.

Deborah Bilitski: Um, scrap. Scrap and, you know, junkyards, scrap yards, um, sand and gravel operations, uh, vacant industrial buildings, brown fields, uh, oil refineries and asphalt terminals and everything that, that, you know, so working waterfront. It was a working water, very industrial waterfront, and for decades there were efforts to try to redevelop.

Deborah Bilitski: Plans in place to try to redevelop our waterfront, and those plants never really gain traction because. With the inherent turnover in political elected officials offices. There, there just never was enough time to actually implement a plan before the next person came in office. And Sure, by the time they caught up, you know, so it wasn't until the mid eighties when the, uh, the idea was proposed by David, Karen, who was in the, uh, general assembly at that time.

Deborah Bilitski: To create a separate, dedicated organization that was solely focused on the redevelopment of our waterfront, our waterfront was, um, but, but that, and so what, let me go back. So what, so what was proposed and what ultimately happened was that through a partnership between the state of Kentucky, the city of Louisville, and Jefferson County, this.

Deborah Bilitski: Non-profit, governmental non-profit corporation was formed. Each of those three governmental entities appointed members to the board, and then that entity was responsible for redevelopment of our water bank. After that organization was formed, David, Karen was actually the first. Chairman of the board and then subsequently became the executive director.

Deborah Bilitski: Um, there was about a year long community engagement effort that went into the decision of how our waterfront would redevelop, and there were all sorts of interesting ideas about what, what it would be from the parking lot. To outlet malls to high rise condos. Uh, but the overwhelming consensus was we want a community common.

Deborah Bilitski: We want a community space where we can come together some green space, uh, where we can come together to celebrate or demonstrate or mourn or do what, you know, just have, uh, festivals and events and, and connect with the river. And so. So that's how the decision came about, that it would become a park.

Deborah Bilitski: Mm-hmm. Thereafter, uh, master plan process took place and, and a very esteemed, uh, design firm. And the Har Graves Associates, uh, designed the first three phases of the park, which is essentially from the downtown wharf to almost to Ress Creek. And, um, the idea was always connect people to the river. That's number one.

Deborah Bilitski: First and foremost, we wanna connect people with this amazing natural asset, our most notable natural feature that people couldn't even access, uh, prior to to Waterfront Park. So connecting people to the river, creating a space that's welcoming to everyone. And, um, creating it in a way that you don't, that you, that you, it still feels intimate in places.

Deborah Bilitski: So creating a lot of landforms and creating berms and beautiful spaces, uh, where you could, and at one part of the park you could be at a big festival and, and you just walk down the river a little ways and you can be in a quiet area in the trees. On a sling reading the book mm-hmm. Or walking along quiet, peaceful, um, river block.

Deborah Bilitski: So the, the ideal is just to kind of keep it flexible, not program it with, um, or, or incorporate, uh, features like basketball courts, because once it's a basketball court, it's only a basketball court. 

Sarah Hempstead: Mm-hmm. 

Deborah Bilitski: We have lawn areas that you could set up basketball courts or volleyball or. Soccer or you could have a music festival.

Deborah Bilitski: You know, not creating tennis courts because those are only tennis courts and once they're tennis courts you can't use them for anything else. So the idea has always been keep it a flexible fluid space, that it can be one thing one day and something else the next day and, and that is exactly how it has been used.

Deborah Bilitski: It is now. We've gone from rags to riches. We, you couldn't access our waterfront. Now, waterfront Park is the most visited destination in downtown Louisville. We have, uh, anywhere from 150 to 250 events and activations in the park every year from small corporate gatherings and charity walks and runs to art fairs, food and wine, and craft beer festivals to.

Deborah Bilitski: Uh, bigger events, art festivals and, and flea markets and you name it, all the way up to big concerts and big, uh, Derby Festival, which is our largest event that we have. We have a big 4th of July festival, so it really is a very fluid space that in any given week. Yeah, it you, there's just a little something for everyone.

Deborah Bilitski: And it stayed that way. It has remained that way. There have been some small changes in the design, some additions. The Lincoln Memorial is a newer mm-hmm. Uh, addition wasn't part of the original master plan, but is an amazing addition. We've added some public art. We've, you know, there have been some, some minor changes in.

Deborah Bilitski: And I think we will continue to look at things and continue to engage the community as, as some of the older areas of the park are needing a refresh, refreshment, and needing a little facelift. Um, how do we re-envision that space and, and still continue to meet the community's wants and needs. 

Sarah Hempstead: Well, and so now you mentioned phases one, two, and three, and now you're embarking on phase four, right?

Sarah Hempstead: We are, yes. Tell me about 

Deborah Bilitski: phase 

Sarah Hempstead: four. 

Deborah Bilitski: Phase four is an amazing project. It is our first west of Ninth Street expansion. It is 22 acres. It is between 10th and 14th streets along the far river. And I don't know where your listeners from once they come, but, um, our community, our city has basically been plagued with this ninth Street divide.

Deborah Bilitski: For decades and decades, it's East west Divide in our city where the, the west side of ninth Street has really just suffered from decades of disinvestment and, and urban renewal, misguided urban renewal initiatives and, and redlining. And just, just, just a lack of investment in this area of our community.

Deborah Bilitski: Very racially segregated, um, high concentration of minority population. And so. Um, so it's a big deal. It's a big deal for us. Um, it's a, it's a project that is frankly, um, probably long overdue and I'm thrilled to be able to, uh, to bring it to life. 

Sarah Hempstead: Mm-hmm. 

Deborah Bilitski: It has been about, I'll say it's been about 10 years in the, in the making.

Deborah Bilitski: So far we, uh, but it's really been part of the overall waterfront vision. From the mid eighties that we have this interconnected system of greenways and parks and open spaces along the Ohio River to connect the community to the river. And that's in fact our mission, to connect the community to the river, to connect people to the river, and ensure our waterfronts and asset.

Deborah Bilitski: That the community can enjoy forever. So now we are bringing the waterfront to the front doors, um, to another, uh, area of our community and one that has, has been underserved for decades. So it's a very important project to. A $50 million project, it ties directly into neighborhoods and will bring our waterfront within a 20 minute walk of over 10,000 residents of some of our most disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Deborah Bilitski: And so, uh, it's, it's great. We have been working with the communities from the very beginning. Uh, it, we really began the, the planning for it in earnest about 10 years ago. When then Councilwoman Sherry Bryant Hamilton, uh, brought this, uh, brought forth the resources to create a master plan. And then it's been, um, I won't, I won't bore you with the details and we don't have enough time, but I mean, 10 years of.

Deborah Bilitski: Master planning, then land acquisition, and then working with MSD who acquired a big chunk of it. Our metropolitan sewer district is working on a big project there, has just recently donated the land test incorporate. Um, and then fundraising, you know, it's a $50 million project. Uh, we've, I'm very pleased to say we've got great buy-in so far from the city, uh, from Louisville Metro and from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, $10 million each.

Deborah Bilitski: We've raised, uh, 6 million so far in private funds and we continue to fundraise. It's just been a true public private partnership from the beginning with the entire park. And, and this, this area of the park will also, um, have that same sort of community engagement, community involvement, community buy-in, and public-private investment.

Sarah Hempstead: So if anybody listening wants to send you a bunch of money to contribute to this, yes. How should they do that? 

Deborah Bilitski: Well. Super easy, just I'll 

Deborah Bilitski: come 

Deborah Bilitski: and pick up the check. You don't have to mail it. I will, I will get in the car. Wherever you are in the world, I will fly to you if you've got a big check for us.

Deborah Bilitski: But no, it's, um, you can donate on our website. Uh, but you know, at this point in time we are, we are going after big grants. Mm-hmm. Uh, we're really trying to, to get the bulk of that, we just. Submitted a massive grant for $10 million. Um, you know, fingers crossed there. Um, but we've also seen some really great early participation from local, uh, local philanthropists and local foundations.

Deborah Bilitski: Um, James Graham Brown Foundation being one that has, has been very generous to the park, uh, deans Foundation, Norton Foundation. Um, so we're working a lot with our, our local foundations to really get this. First big bulk of the money in, but we have enough to get started on the first phase of construction and that, uh, that will include a very unique and exciting outdoor experiential learning area.

Deborah Bilitski: You mentioned it, it's called Play Port at Waterfront Park. Oh, here's what I'm gonna say, uh, 

Deborah Bilitski: for anyone who, who is in the nonprofit sector mm-hmm. 

Deborah Bilitski: Uh, there is nothing I love more than when two nonprofits get together and mash up their missions. It creates all kinds of magic. And so we've got that. We've got a history of that.

Deborah Bilitski: We have, uh, partnerships. Louisville Public Media is one you mentioned with our Waterfront Wednesday series. Mm-hmm. Um, we partner with Louisville Visual Art. We, we, for some summer camps, we. Partner with the Humane, Kentucky Humane Society on a, on a Sunday brunch and barked by the bridge. And anytime you mash up some nonprofit missions mm-hmm.

Deborah Bilitski: And get some creatives in the room, it is, uh, it, it's not one plus one equals two. It's just all kinds of magic happens. And that's what happened with the Science Center, with Kentucky Science Center. They came to us. They are located, just a hops get in a jump from, um, from, from where the, the base four expansion is located.

Deborah Bilitski: Just. They are on Main Street. They have to walk out their back door and down down river a little ways, and it is right there. It's a five minute walk. They are landlocked where they are. They, they have no space to have any outdoor area. They really have nowhere to, to build anywhere inside. You know, it's in the middle of a block and it's, it's, there's nowhere to go.

Deborah Bilitski: So they came to us and they said, Hey, you're doing this park expansion and you're right outside our back door and we've always wanted to do something. Outdoors and do it toward outdoor science park, what would you think? And we said, we think it sounds like a great idea. We got everybody together and the brainstorm started.

Deborah Bilitski: We went out to the community and did some, uh, family workshops and invited kids and, and to come in and tell us what they would like to see in their park. And, and then we put the design team to work and. And this whole idea of Play Port came together. So if you think of a science center, when, when you go in and everything is HandsOn learning, everything is really touching and feeling and moving and maneuvering and, and, and embedding all the science concepts in those things, and some of the educational signage that accompanies, but that's what Play Court is.

Deborah Bilitski: We, but what we've done is we've brought the, the context of this site. Phase foresight is so laden in history. It is where our cities. So that's where our city's founding was. It's the birthplace of our city is right on this site, right at the head of the falls of the, the Ohio River. And it's where all the industry began building.

Deborah Bilitski: And so we've got rail history and we've got river history, we've got just industry history and we're incorporating all of that into the design of phase four. Um, we do that with Play Port as well. So you will see things that you would've seen and do see. Feel today on the river? Like a buoy tender? What is that?

Deborah Bilitski: Well, that's a, that's a Coast guard vessel that goes up and down the river and sets the buoys and ensures the, the safe navigation of the river for the barges and other traffic. We are incorporating real pieces from a buoy tender that can be maneuvered and climbed in. Oh, that's cool. Same thing with construction equipment.

Deborah Bilitski: This is where our city was, you know, began building our city. So we've got real excavators. Real dump truck beds, real things that you can touch and feel and move. You can actually, using mechanical advantage, you can lift something with a pulley system super heavy that you wouldn't be able to lift and, and all of it will be accompanied by this educational signage package that really is showing these real objects at work and play prompts and some of the scientific components behind.

Deborah Bilitski: Why this dump truck can dump, you know, the gravity that causes the dump truck to be able to dump and the, the, um, oh, I forget what they call it, but, but where the propellers, propellers turn and, and certain ones will move faster than others if gear differentials. Is that right? That's right. Yeah. So it's all very, very exciting.

Deborah Bilitski: And just what, but probably what I think is one of the most significant things about this. Expansion is that our waterfront is a very uniting place. It's a unifying place. It's where the entire community comes together. It's where everybody is already, you know, mixing and matching without regard to, to socioeconomic or racial background or geographic background.

Deborah Bilitski: Um, um, as we connect our community along our river. And the river is really what unites us. I'd like to say it's Waterfront park, but people are drawn to the river. Uh, people want to be near the water. This just kind of creates a level playing space for everybody, and I think we'll do more. I'm a little biased, but I do think Waterfront Park and the expansion westward will do more to unite our city across this historical divide that we have been played with for, for so many years.

Deborah Bilitski: So I'm really excited to see how that, um, people will cross that line without really paying attention that there even is a line anymore. I love that. 

Sarah Hempstead: All right. So I know you, it's hard to pick your favorite children, but if you had just a Sunday afternoon free, where's the one place you would go to the park?

Sarah Hempstead: Where's your go to? 

Deborah Bilitski: Oh my goodness. Yeah, I know that is a tough question I have. Well, I have a little area that I just love the original design team. Well, hate me for even saying this. I mean, there's so many areas that, let me, let me start by saying so many areas that I love and, and what one of the great things about the park is, as I was mentioning before, there's really something for any mood, if you're in the mood for more active.

Deborah Bilitski: Um, engaging experience. I mean, walk the big four bridge or go to one of our events if you're in the mood for something more quiet. You know, take a walk along the river, walk in the area that is, you know, sort of more natural and there, and that. I walk my dog in park every day. You know, we bring our dogs to work at Waterfront Park and so it's a little chaotic, but it gives me a good reason.

Deborah Bilitski: Rain or shine or cold or whatever. I am out in the park walking every single day and laying eyes on it and really just. You know, connecting with it. And so one of my favorite places is an area that is kind of. Not, um, it's, it's very natural, so it has really just become very overgrown due to some sedimentation and filtering that has just happened naturally, organically from, from the river flow.

Deborah Bilitski: And this whole biodiversity has emerged out of it. That was just not part that we didn't plant anything there, but you see these amazing wild flowers and, and bird life and, and it's just kind of hidden along a little trail along the river. And I, that is my favorite part of the park. It's so silly. I know.

Deborah Bilitski: 'cause we've got these most beautiful and amazing landscape areas, natural and, and manicured. And I find this little area that is just. A little taste of nature, just really a little while. That's awesome. That I like the best. 

Sarah Hempstead: I love that. Now everybody's gonna be trying to find their 

Deborah Bilitski: spot. I'll tell you where it is.

Deborah Bilitski: Just call us for a small donation. No, I'm just kidding. Just walk along the river from end to end. You can't miss it. 

Sarah Hempstead: Well, thank you so much for, uh, coming on the show today. This has been a wonderful conversation. Um, I'm sure our listeners can learn a ton. I hope they're all interested in coming to the park.

Sarah Hempstead: Uh, see it now and see it when the next big phase happens. Um, to be a part of the excitement, visit waterfront.org Or stop by daily between 6:00 AM and 11, right? Well, 

Deborah Bilitski: yeah. So you can come to the park at seven days a week. It, it never closes. 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM Um, our website is our waterfront.org. Um, but yes, you can.

Deborah Bilitski: Or just give us a call. Come stop by our website. Um, we're there, we've got people in the park seven days a week, so. Just look for one of us or give us a call. 

Sarah Hempstead: Awesome. On behalf of all of us at Schmid Associates, thank you for listening and don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at Schmidt Associates