City Prepares To Review Otter Creek Proposals

Louisville Metro Government is one step closer to re-opening Otter Creek Park under the control of a private operator.Shortly after the Meade County park closed this year, Metro Parks officials said they were open to letting a private entity take over Otter Creek's operations.Five proposals were turned in to the city, and they range from extending a YMCA camp to building stages for outdoor concerts.A committee will soon be formed to review the plans, work out a contract and obtain federal approval for the selected plan. Parks Director Mike Heitz says the winning bid will not cost the city any money, and could even generate revenue."We'll see what kind of a deal we work out," he says. "Whether we get a percentage of the gross sales of the park would be one thing, or if it's just at a point where they pay us a rent to use the park, we don't know. That's why we have to go and negotiate."Heitz says there's no deadline for implementing a plan, but he hopes to have the park re-opened sometime next year.