A new outlook: Big Four Bridge changing downtown Jeffersonville

A DIFFERENT PERSONALITY

The pedestrian and cyclist bridge that opened to Jeffersonville on May 20 has prompted a handful of new businesses to open.

Williams opened Chestnuts and Pearls two weeks ago — an antique and arts gallery on the first floor of her home — and she’s seen a lot of browsers and buyers who come in fresh off the bridge.

“We’re thrilled,” she said.

Olive Leaf Bistro, a fine-dining Mediterranean and European restaurant on Riverside Drive, opened last Wednesday and has been very busy since.

Jimmy Shraby, the bistro’s owner, said that many of their guests are Big Four Bridge-goers.

“The walking bridge is bringing thousands of people, especially on the weekends,” Shraby said. “As soon as you come off the bridge, you are one block away [from us], which is very convenient.”

He also said his restaurant offers quite the view to its patrons.

“You’ve got a river view everywhere you sit,” he said.

Red Yeti Brewing Co. opened on Spring Street a day before the Big Four Bridge became passable to both locals and guests.

“We were slammed with people,” said Brandi Ronau, the microbrewery and restaurant’s owner.

Ronau said they had a few problems in the first three days — she had no idea the walking bridge would open just a day later — but has since worked things out.

“We’ve gotten in the groove of things and it’s really gotten a lot smoother,” she said.

Ronau said her business is getting probably three times as many customers as she expected, with more than 50 percent who have come across the river from Louisville. The restaurant has had to double and even triple some of its batches.

“We have a brisket sandwich that we can’t keep,” she said.

Red Yeti got its brewing equipment recently and expect to have its own beer ready in about three months.

Ronau said the face of Spring Street is completely different than it was even 10 days ago, comparing it to the old black and white photographs she has seen of a bustling downtown Jeffersonville.

“It’s kind of like that [again],” she said. “It’s pretty cool.”

City Councilman Mike Smith, who represents District 1 in downtown Jeffersonville, walks the bridge every night around 10 p.m. He also said the face of the city is transforming.

“I think the personality of downtown Jeff is going to change,” said Smith, who grew up in the city. “... I knew about everybody downtown, but now there’s so many unfamiliar faces, and it’s kind of neat.”

JEFFERSONVILLE — BUSY STREETS

Since last Tuesday, streets downtown have had a steady trickle of pedestrians and cyclists, most of whom are unfamiliar with the area.

But Smith said he doesn’t think the increased foot and wheel traffic will be too much of a problem.

“Before, you had a handful of people and really you didn’t have to worry about too many people crossing from one side to another,” he said. “Now, you’re going to have walkers and bikers and they’re going to go from shop to shop and side to side, so I do think it’s going to be a little bit of a curve for the people that drive down Spring Street.

He compared the traffic of Spring Street to Bardstown Road in Louisville.

“At some point, you learn to adjust and live with that,” he said. “It’s just a learning curve for everybody, and I think that’ll happen.”

Jeffersonville Police Department Detective Todd Hollis said he has not seen any reports of traffic accidents or crime related to the bridge opening — but officers have been kept very busy.

“We’ve had to add extra assignments just to cover it for that influx of people,” Hollis said.

He said monitoring the area is just like working during any other big event, such as Thunder Over Louisville.

“We’re there to respond to any criminal act, of course, but mostly what we have to do is make sure everyone is safe and that roads are properly closed off,” he said.

The police department is paying officers overtime during the weekends to patrol the bridge and surrounding areas, including Spring and Mulberry streets.

The redevelopment commission this week approved a 10-week contract with K-4, a private security company, to have extra officers on patrol during the week.

“We’ve been pleased with how well everything has flowed so far,” Hollis said, despite the heavy traffic. “All reaction that I’ve seen so far have been positive.”

Smith said everything at the bridge and ramp has seemed “peaceful.”

“As far as safety goes from what I can see, everything seems manageable,” he said.

JEFFERSONVILLE — LOOSE ENDS

Some have noted the need for public restrooms and more parking, and have been displeased with construction at Big Four Station, a developing park at the foot of the ramp

Carol Stenbro, owner of Market Street Inn Bed and Breakfast, said she’s heard some guests voice these concerns.

“People have mentioned the construction, that it’s kind of inconvenient that you have to walk through the street,” she said.

Nevertheless, she said the benefits of the walking bridge far outweigh any unfinished business.

“I think it’s a very positive thing,” she said. “It’s brought tons of people over and have made people aware that, ‘Hey, Jeffersonville’s got something over here’ that they probably didn’t know before.”

Todd Waldrip, Wycliffe project manager for Big Four Station, said the construction doesn’t pose any danger to pedestrians and cyclists.

“We’ve put fencing in place to separate the construction activities from the pedestrian walkways,” Waldrip said. “Initially, we were concerned about that, but we put up measures ... I think we’ve created a safe working environment for my guys and a safe location for the pedestrian people to get in and out.”

Waldrip said a final schedule for the project will be drafted in two or three weeks, and he will have a better idea of when the park will be finished.

Smith assures that all these issues will be resolved in due time.

“It’s just like anything else,” he said of Big Four Station, which will have public restrooms and perimeter parking spots. “It’s just going to take time. We’re moving quickly.”