Louisville survey supports Marshall Fire remembrance as council weighs funding for Superior

A Louisville city survey found broad support for a project marking the fifth anniversary of the Marshall Fire, but respondents differed over the project’s form and whether Louisville should share its dedicated funds with Superior. City staff recommend contributing $25,000 to Superior’s planned remembrance project and reserving $10,000 for Louisville programming ahead of the City Council’s Sept. 15 discussion.

The survey collected 475 responses between July 15 and Sept. 1, according to the survey report. About 90.9% of respondents — 432 people — said they lived in Louisville when the fire occurred. Nearly two-thirds said a remembrance project was “very important” or “important,” and 87.4% rated it at least “somewhat important.”

The most popular purpose, selected by 67.4% of respondents, was recognizing the community’s healing, closeness and support after the fire. Other leading purposes included documenting the fire’s history, providing a place for reflection, honoring actions taken during and after the fire, and remembering losses.

“Remembrance” was the preferred term, chosen by 264 of the 463 respondents who answered that question, or 57%. “Reflection” was next at 17.5%, followed by “memorial” at 10.8%.

Among proposed Louisville concepts, a peace garden led with 57.9% of selections, followed by a mosaic at 38.9% and a labyrinth walk at 36%. For an outdoor installation, the Arboretum was selected by 61.7% of respondents, compared with 28.6% for Community Park. Respondents could select more than one option for those questions.

Respondents were divided over Louisville’s relationship to Superior’s planned remembrance project. A total of 39.2% supported sending all or part of Louisville’s funds to Superior: 15.8% favored sending the full amount and 23.4% favored a shared allocation. Another 21.7% wanted more information, 34.7% preferred using the funds exclusively for a Louisville-based effort, and 4.4% had no opinion.

Louisville budgeted $35,000 for Marshall Fire five-year remembrance projects and programming, according to a July City Council communication.

The Council agenda packet lists the Sept. 15 item as “Discussion / Direction,” not final action. Council members will be able to ask questions, provide feedback and hear public comment. The item could return later for a vote, but the packet does not set a date for a final decision.

No project, location or design has been selected, and the council has not authorized a transfer of Louisville funds to Superior. Earlier city planning materials said the Cultural Advisory Board and city staff would use the survey results to begin planning and share the results through Engage Louisville.