Loading...In January of 2007, representatives of Metro Government advised the diocese that two deeds for property to the city in or adjacent to River Road in Louisville contained clauses in which the grantors, members of the Ballard family, had deeded land in 1919 and in 1925 to the city on the condition that the properties would be devoted solely to park or playground purposes. The parcels involved were part of a city park known as Thruston Park, in honor of members of the family. Both deeds have stipulations that if the terms of the conveyance were broken, the property would revert to the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky.
The city's action resulted from a breakdown of discussions concerning the present ownership of the two parcels of property, which the city has conveyed to private developers for the construction of a condominium and marina harbor project known as River Park Place.
When advised that the city had filed the lawsuit, Bishop Edwin F. Gulick, Jr., bishop of the Diocese of Kentucky, stated: "As a steward for all of the property of the Diocese, I can not recommend to the governing board of the Diocese that the Diocese give away any assets for non-Episcopal purposes, regardless of how the Diocese has come into possession of the assets. As citizens of the City, neither I nor other Episcopalians want to obstruct worthy civic improvements. We tried to describe to the City's representatives that the Diocese and our parishes have unmet needs, which the Ballards' gift could help serve. We are very disappointed that the City has taken this action."
The Diocese of Kentucky has retained Donald L. Cox and the firm of Lynch, Cox, Gilman & Mahan PSC as its litigation counsel in this matter. All inquiries concerning the progress of the litigation should be forwarded to him at Suite 2100, PNC Plaza, 589-4215.
