Protecting Our Neighborhoods

This is a petition opposing the development of a Level 3 Biosafety lab situated next to Louisville Homebuilders Association on the Hurstbourne Lane side of the University of Louisville, Shelby Campus. My neighbors and myself were in the dark about what was being planned for development in our neighborhood on the Shelby Campus property. This is one of the busiest areas in eastern Jefferson county due to Hurstbourne being a main connector street between Bardstown Road and U.S. Hwy 42. Little did we know, that we are speaking of a lab that works with Anthrax, SARS, Legionnaires disease, Tuberculosis, etc. This lab will have 24-hour armed security with a tall, wired, well lit fence surrounding it. I know this facility is needed for research and it would brings lots of dollars to Louisville, but is it really needed in such a highly trafficked and populated area. Why are we not looking at more rural areas for a lab of this kind? I am concerned with contamination issues as Beargrass creek runs directly through the property site. I am concerned with contamination into the air, since these are all airborne diseases. I am concerned with terrorist threats, as this will put us directly on the map as a main target. I am concerned that when the federal funds are waived in front of the University that they will turn it into a Level 4 lab with us knowing nothing about it, I am concerned that when federal budgets are cut that the security will not be continued at these type-sites. U of L files for application of federal funds by December 29th. The University of Louisville, and the federal agencies; the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and the NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases), needs to know there is opposition. Its unfortunate that our neighborhood representation wrote letters of approval to the university concerning the construction of this lab. Unfortunately, they did this without contacting the residents. The residents and anyone that works or plays in the area has to come forward and show their opposition by signing this petition.