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woodjessica123-blog · 3 years

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What Is RPA Testing and How To Do It?

Today every business wants to achieve faster tests, shortened time to market, and reliable products without much human effort. This is where RPA testing comes into the picture.

This testing technique helps businesses to automate workflow, process with the help of bots that not only makes the testing process fast but also accurate.

What is RPA testing?

It is an advanced software testing technique by which organizations automate tasks with the help of robots just like human beings.

The purpose of RPA testing is to reduce human efforts and time by making bots work like humans.

This test helps businesses to achieve shortened time-to-market and assures scalability and stability.

Why is RPA testing required?

· To reduce errors and to optimize the process

· To go one step ahead of agile and DevOps process

· To save testers from redundant, repetitive, and time-consuming tasks

· To help businesses deliver the stable, error-free product to the customer

· To reduce time to market and produce faster and better results

How to do RPA testing?

To conduct this test below mentioned steps should be followed:

Step 1 – Identification

In this step, the process architect analyses the requirements of the client. This step involves the identification of processes that need to be automated. The project teams are set up, project timelines and approaches are finalized.

Also, the logging mechanism is decided that should be used to find issues and bugs in the software. A proper roadmap is prepared to ensure effective implementation and testing

Step 2 – Design

Based on the requirements analyzed in the first step, the subject matter experts create the PDD (Process Definition Document) and the Solution Design Document (SDD).

Also, a flowchart is created to understand the flow of the process. Once the flowchart is prepared to team decide the RPA tool to automate the process

Step 3 – Development

This step involves the development of automation workflows as per the plan. The subject matter expert creates scripts/bots to automate the tasks by leveraging tools along with a reference from PDD.

There are various tools available in the market such as UI path test suite, Blue Prism, Pega, etc. that businesses can use.

Step 4 – Testing

Once the development part is complete, the test is executed by the testing team, which includes RPA testers, QA testers, etc. The tests conducted with the help of bots are fast, accurate, and reliable. The data is tested to ensure its correctness and to ensure it is bug-free

Step 5 – Track and manage defects

This is the most important step that is to track the defects, fix them and manage them properly. Though RPA tools are very effective in finding defects, the key to successful management of defects is to focus on details.

To ensure effective defect management, the team should have access to all information related to bugs that have been identified, is needed teams should take the screenshot of errors or should record where test cases fail and should look closely at input and output files

Though there are agile and DevOps methods that businesses have already adopted to make their testing process fast and accurate, but the current need is for a more advanced approach.

With the help of RPA testing businesses can move a step ahead of the agile process and can reduce their time-to-market considerably without much human involvement.

Leverage RPA testing from a next-gen QA and software testing services provider to get quality software and faster time to market.

#rpa testing #rpa #rpa test #rpa test services #rpa testing company #rpa testing services

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leanconsulting · 5 years

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How Robotic Process Automation works?

This blog will help you understand how RPA works and how it can maximise your business and lower your costs at the same time!

What is Robotic Process Automation (RPA)?

Robotic Process Automation or RPA for short – is the latest technological development set on making mundane and repetitive chores a thing of the past! RPA can increase business productivity whilst simultaneously decreasing workforce hours spent on tedious, boring and repetitive jobs.

How does this look like in your business?

Picture your administration floor with five, ten or more employees doing exactly the same tasks all day every day such as structured reports, emails, CRM and other rule-based tasks. This can be costly, time-consuming, dull and prone to inaccuracy. Now imagine these everyday jobs being executed by software robots. Your processes are much faster and more accurate, leaving humans to do the more complex jobs that can benefit from the power of the human brain!

How robotic process automation works?

Robotic process automation works by developing software robots that mimic the actions as if humans were undertaking it. This is achieved through the user interface or UI of an application, website or operating system whereby the software robot can simulate user inputs such as clicking, scrolling and typing.

RPA tools also have a wide range of APIs to bypass the UI interaction that a human would have to go through to access an application function. Some common examples of this are sending Outlook emails and reading Excel Spreadsheets – these only require the bare minimum input such as recipient, subject and body, of the file path, sheet name and range. It is these APIs that make RPA such a valuable and far-reaching tool.

In the future, RPA will start to take more advantage of artificial intelligence. This means it will be able to learn from past events and use that knowledge to do things differently moving forward. This will be advantageous in processes that sometimes need to be adapted for special cases.

So how to get started with Robotic Process Automation?

Conclusion

Prime Candidates for automation are those processes that are extremely repetitive and rule-based (i.e. if this, then do that), and they can be found in almost every department in every industry.

Once a suitable process is chosen, a Process Design Document (PDD) is created to describe the process in detail. This should be in enough detail that from this document alone, anyone should be able to carry out the task.

Once the PDD is agreed upon, solution design and robotic architecture are created along with the development testing environment whereby the developers can begin to automate the desired processes, tasks and actions.

How to create the automation will depend on the RPA product you use, but the current biggest players in the space make some of the development simpler by providing a comprehensive library of readymade components which help to decrease the amount of code needed. Larger builds will require in-depth knowledge in programming, with proficiency in languages such as .NET.

After the Automation, the developer will unit test the build ensuring any bugs that may arise are handled appropriately, whilst checking that the expected results match the actual results given.

With initial monitoring to ensure reliability, the project is deployed and continued support is given by the development team to make alterations and ensure ongoing performance.

Eliminating repetitive tasks, increasing productivity and increasing accuracy, RPA is a welcomed disruptive technology. According to HFS Research, they found that our of the top 1000 Forbes, 36% of business managers are either piloting or implementing an RPA project in their organisations. With recent large investments into RPA platforms and innovations in cognitive RPA with AI insight, the future of RPA has the potential to remove the robot out of the human.

#lean #business improvement #business process #robotic process automation #rpa

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udemy-gift-coupon-blog · 5 years

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RPA LIFECYCLE guide of UiPath & Automation Anywhere (RDLC) ##FreeOnlineTraining ##realdiscount #Automation #Guide #Lifecycle #RDLC #RPA #UiPath RPA LIFECYCLE guide of UiPath & Automation Anywhere (RDLC) If you're an RPA analyst, project manager or delivery manager you need to learn the complete RPA development lifecycle Even as the Head of Automation you should understand what you team are doing, or ahould be doing so that you have a repeatable procesa to implement faster Get full visibility on what happens once you the RPA analyst/project manager have passed the details over to the development team GET UP TO SPEED RPA analysis recap (get you to speed with RPA benefits, myths and challenges, and the RPA analyst position) PROBLEM STATEMENT Create the problem statement (Requirements and data gathering) Collate a robust list of RPA opportunities How to Map the process (using work instructions) Writing a business case: what you need to include The PDD (Process definition document): what you MUST include How to create an L4/keystroke document (using work instructions) ENGAGING WITH THE DEVELOPER Managing the relationship PDD clarification (is the developer 100% sure?) SDD (solution design document) WATCH the bot being built in UiPath (A quick look at the UiPath Studio) WATCH bot building in Automation Anywhere (See how this differs) TESTING WATCH the bot being tested in Live (The UiPath and Automation Anywhere way) UAT (user acceptance testing) Create test cases and bug reports (Download examples) Pass or Fail? Review the outputs WATCH how the developer makes bug fixes TEST IN LIVE (test and live can be different) LAUNCH / SUPPORT You did it! Get your bot signed off!! Support bot when Ui changes (the biggest bot challenge) CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: enhance your RPA 👉 Activate Udemy Coupon 👈 Free Tutorials Udemy Review Real Discount Udemy Free Courses Udemy Coupon Udemy Francais Coupon Udemy gratuit Coursera and Edx ELearningFree Course Free Online Training Udemy Udemy Free Coupons Udemy Free Discount Coupons Udemy Online Course Udemy Online Training 100% FREE Udemy Discount Coupons https://www.couponudemy.com/blog/rpa-lifecycle-guide-of-uipath-automation-anywhere-rdlc/

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siva3155 · 5 years

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300+ TOP RPA Interview Questions and Answers

RPA Interview Questions for freshers experienced :-

1. What is RPA? Robotic Process Automation(RPA) allows organizations to automate a task, just like an employee of your organization doing them across application and systems. 2. What are the different applications of RPA? Some popular applications of RPA are Barcode Scanning Enter PO to receive invoices Match PO and Invoice Complete Invoice Processing. 3. Give three advantages of RPA tool Here are three benefits of using RPA tools. RPA offers real time visibility into bug/defect discovery RPA allows regular compliance process, with error-free auditing. It allows you to automate a large number of processes. 4. What are the things you should remember in the process of RPA Implementation? Define and focus on the desired ROI You should target to automate important and highly impactful processes Combine attended and unattended RPA 5. Which RPA offers an open platform for automation? UiPath is open-source RPA tool that allows you to design, deploy any robotic workforce upon their organization. 6. Explain important characteristics of RPA Three most important characteristics of RPA are: Code-free User-Friendly Non-Disruptive 7. What are Popular RPA tools? Describe each one in detail There are mainly three popular RPA tools. Blue Prism: Blue Prism software offers business operations to be agile and cost-effective by automating rule-based, repetitive back-office processes. Automation Anywhere: Automation Anywhere offers powerful and User- friendly Robotic Process Automation tools to automate tasks of any complexity. UiPath: UiPath is a Windows desktop software used for automation for various types of web and desktop-based applications. 8. What are the steps you should follow to implement Robotic Process Automation? Six steps to be followed for a successful RPA implementation are: Identify the Automation Opportunities Optimize the Identified Processes Build a Business Case Select the RPA Vendor of your choice Model RPA Development Start Continue Building Expertise RPA bots 9. Can you audit the RPA process? What are the benefits of same? Yes, it is possible to audit the RPA process. Auditing brings several new strategies that can easily be adopted. 10. State the different between between Thin Client & Thick Client? Thick Client : The thick client is the application that reuires certain attribute features using RPA tools, e.g., computer, calculator, Internet Explorer. Thin Client : The thin client is the application that never acuires the specific properties while using RPA tools. 11. How long does a robot automation project take? Generally, any projects are measured in weeks. However, the complex project might take more time depending on the level of object re-use available. 12. Does Blue Prism need Coding? No, the Blue prism is a code-free and can automate and software. This digital workforce should be applied to automate the process in any department where clerical or administrative work is performed across an organization. 13. What is the main difference between Blue Prism And UiPath? Blue Prism uses C# for coding and UiPath uses Visual Basic for coding. 14. What is the future scope of RPA? The future of Robotic Process Automation is very bright as there are plenty of human actions that can be automated, handling RPA tools and technology. 15. Does handling RPA operations need special skills? RPA is an approach that doesn't reuire programming skills. Anyone can become an RPA certified professional with some basic knowledge or training, which is also a short duration. Everything can be managed easily using the flowchart or in a stepwise manner. 16. Name two scripting standards which you will consider during automation testing? Two scripting stands that you need to consider during automation testing are Adeuate indentation Uniform naming convention 17. What are the key metrics which you should consider to map the success of automation testing? Two key metrics to measure the success of automation testing are: Reduction in cost of various modules Defect Detection Ratio 18. Explain the use of PGP PGP allows you to encrypt and decrypt a file by assigning a passphrase. 19. What is meant by Bot? A bot is a set of the command used to automate the task. 20. Name different types of bots Different types of Bots used in RPA process are: TaskBot MetaBot I Bot Chatbot 21. Explain the term dynamic selectors If the selector information changes freuently, then it is called dynamic selectors 22. What is the primary goal of the RPA process? The main object behind the development of the RPA process helps you to replace the repetitive and tedious tasks performed by humans, with the help of a virtual workforce. 23. How to create RPA Bot? To create RPA bot, you need to follow these steps: Record a task Completed the bot implementation Test the bot Upload the bot the perform the automation. 24. How can you do screen scraping in RPA? Screen scraping is an important component of RPA toolkit. It allows you to capture bitmap data from the screen and crosses verified it with stored details in your computer. 25. What are the benefits of screen scraping? Here, are some major benefits of screen scraping: Works on the application which are not accessible even using UI frameworks Offers test digitization through Optical character Easy to implement & mostly accurate 26. Name the framework used in software automation testing Four most crucial framework used in software automation are: Hybrid automation framework Keyword-driven framework Modular automation framework Data-driven framework 27. What the difference between TaskBot and IBot Taskbot manages repetitive and rule-based tasks, while IBot helps you to manage fuzzy rules. 28. Give an example of TaskBot HR administration and Payment procedure are examples of TaskBot. 29. Explain the term workflow Designer It is a graphical representation way of coding, where condition decision-based task is added for whole process reuirement. 30. What is the default time out limit in timeout property? The default timeout limit is 3000 milliseconds. 31. What the major difference between RPA and Macros? Robots Macros Allows you to learn and enhance itself from the repetitive process. Never learn anything for the repetitive process. It can act Autonomously. It cannot work autonomously. It responds to external stimuli and reprograms itself. It doesn't respond to external stimuli. It offers Highly secured automation. Security is not a high priority. 32. Name different types of Default Logs Six types of Default logs are: Execution start Execution end Transaction start Transaction end Error log Debugging log 33. Name two email automation commands Important automation commands are: Email Automation and Send mail. 34. How many types of variables are there in AA? There are two types of applications in Automation Anywhere: System Variable Local Variable 35. In the process of RPA, when you will automate a test? You should try to automate all the repetitive task of organization with the help of the RPA process. 36. What kind of support do you need to handle operation or a process which is based on RPA? It depends on the type of expertise and skill needed for a specific task, project, or process. However, it is not always necessary that all the tasks are completed using similar RPA skills. 37. Explain the term element mask Element mask is the future in application modeler, which allows you to copy the attribute selection of one element and apply it with others. 38. How is Chabot different from RPA? A chatbot is a bot programmed to chat with a user like a human being while RPA is a bot programmed to automate a manual business process of executing a task or an activity within a business function. 39. How much time for the developed automated process? The intimal three days training course provides the based knowledge needed to begin to create a simple automated process. 40. For an Agile method, when you will not use automation testing? If your reuirements are freuently changing or your documentation becomes massive, then it is better to avoid automation testing method. 41. What is dynamic selectors ? if the part of the selector information keeps on changing the it is called dynamic selectors 42. Is it possible to capture selectors in citrix environment ? No 43. What are the activites supported in citrix environment ? Send hot keys, and image click activites 44. How Blue Prism interacts with an SAP control to extend the functionality ? We can use XML files.The XML files are SAPElements.XML Actions.XML 45. Who will be created PDD ? Client SME and/or Blue Prism analyst 46. How can you read the image ? Use Read stage with Read Text with OCR action. 47. What is copy and paste element mask ? When you have decided upon the best attributes to leave ticked for an element, it is likely that this will be the same for most elements within the application. To save time ticking the correct attributes for other new elements you can use the Copy Element Mask and Paste Element Mask options within Application Modeller to copy the attribute ticks from one element to others. 48. What is Application Navigator ? Application Modeller contains a feature called Application Navigator which provides a treeview of all the Accessibility Elements available within the application so that they can be easily found and selected. 49. Can you launch the application via process name ? Yes . We can 50. Can you run a session to multiple times? No 51. What type of Scripts you can Run? JAVA SCRIPT VB SCRIPT 52. Which command will you use to run script? Run script command will available in commands. 53. What are the types of recorders? 3Types In version 10.3 names have changed Screen recorder Smart recorder Web recorder 54. What are email automation commands? Email Automation Send Email We have to configure with SMTP server setting 55. when we are using token in blue prism? in the environment locking 56. How many types variables are there in AA? There are two types:- System Variable Local variable or User defined variable. 57. Explain the different types of variable available in the Task Editor? There are 4 types of variables available in Automation Anywhere are:- List Random Value Array 58. Expalin the different types of variable available in the MetaBot? There are 3 types of variables available in Megabit are:- Value Array password 59. Can you use environment variable to change the value between session ? No 60. Can you run the process by login agent runtime resource ? No 61. what are the languages use to build objects ? VB , C# , J# 62. How many times can run one session ? only one time 63. How can you set the sequence of priority to item ? 0 is first priority and 1 is second link 2, 3….. 64. Can you change work queue internal business object ? No 65. How to configure scheduler settings to retry if resource is offline? Go to system tab and under system click scheduler . We have Resilience section there If a resource is offline , retry after ‘n’ seconds. 66. when scheduler configure change will effect ? After application server restart. 67. what is invisible elements? It is sometimes possible to manipulate HTML elements that aren’t on the visible screen. 68. what is element mask ? Element mask is future in application modeller that enable you to copy the attribute selection of one element and apply it to another. 69. What is thin client & thick client in RPA? Thin client : Does not run on local machine, runs on virtual client/server architecture. Eg.vmvare, virtualbox Thick client : Directly installed in local machine itself. Eg. Any apps like notepad, browser etc.. 70. Shall I run more than one process at same resource ? Yes . By changing run mode options 71. Which tool has recordeding future ? UI path 72. which tool is best for virtual automation ? UI path Robotic Process Automation Questions and Answers Pdf Download Read the full article

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brokensidewalk · 7 years

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Three towers have been proposed to rise in a woebegone patch of asphalt scattered with several local businesses where three Louisville neighborhoods meet. Jefferson Development Group (JDG), headed by developer Kevin Cogan, is planning apartments, condos, office space, retail, a hotel, and parking on a triangular block bound by Lexington Road, Grinstead Drive, and tiny Etley Avenue. Yet while the proposal is certainly bold and dramatic, a series of public meetings and a proposed development moratorium show there’s some serious opposition to the enormous project.

I’ve been thinking about the mixed-use project for a while now—it was first announced in 2014. It doesn’t have a name at this point, but we’ll call it Lexington Grande here in keeping with the nomenclature of JDG’s nearby projects. At first I had a few mixed feelings about the development. I appreciated the density and mix of uses just a few miles from Downtown, especially in this central yet out-of-the-way location, but was concerned about so much planned parking (2,300 spaces!). I admired the attention to the street level and sidewalk design but wondered if the overall design would compliment the natural settings that surround it such as Cherokee Park, Cave Hill Cemetery, and the Beargrass Creek Greenway.

JDG’s building as it meets the sidewalk. (Courtesy JDG / TBD+)

The more I thought about Lexington Grande, the more I realized it is completely necessary and especially appropriate at this particular site. But I would urge JDG and their architects, Louisville-based Tucker Booker Donhoff + Partners (TBD+) to take a closer look at a few details that would help the new building integrate with its surroundings and become a cherished landmark and gateway for the city.

An elevation of the building as it faces Grinstead Drive. (Courtesy JDG / TBD+)

At first glance, Lexington Grande’s three towers—some of the city’s tallest—rising from a large podium base are shocking in their ambition and scale. But once the initial jolt of something new on what’s traditionally been a hodgepodge of low buildings and parking lots in a disconnected, leftover corner of Irish Hill wears off, the underlying premise of the project is clearly the right direction for this location and for the city of Louisville.

That doesn’t mean I’d rubber stamp the proposal—and I hope serious scrutiny is given to the project as it (eventually) moves through the regulatory process, ending with approval from Metro Council. The 3.3-acre block is currently zoned C-2, which permits the developer to build eight-stories as-of-right, but JDG, through its lawyer, Bill Bardenwerper, is seeking a zoning change to Planned Development District (PDD) that would allow the decidedly taller proposal.

The project side plan includes plentiful sidewalk-level retail space. (Courtesy JDG / TBD+)

An Admirable Mix of Uses

The general program of the project is impressive. Lexington Grande would begin at the sidewalk with new pedestrian amenities and 50,000-square feet of retail. The developer has already pledged to keep several local businesses currently on the block, including a steakhouse, bike shop, and dry cleaners, and potentially include a small grocery store.

Above, concealing the parking garage podium, are 730 apartments along a single-loaded corridor. This treatment would be similar to a Courtyard by Marriott, which wraps a parking garage at the corner of Second and Main streets. JDG’s garage would contain a whopping 2,300 parking spaces serving the entire project.

The apartments would rise up above the garage to define a park-like plaza on its roof, potentially with more retail space. From this plaza, three towers—two for condos and one for a hotel—would climb to heights of 34, 29, and 28 stories respectively. The hotel would contain 240 rooms situated above 120,000-square-feet of office space.

JDG has estimated the total project cost at more than $200 million.

The project site is surrounded by parks and green space. (Broken Sidewalk montage)

The Right Place for Density

If Lexington Grande were proposed for the middle of Irish Hill, or neighboring Cherokee Triangle or Crescent Hill, it would be easy to oppose its current scale. But it’s not in the center of a neighborhood—it’s isolated from the historic centers and surrounded by green space.

The project site shown with (left to right) neighborhood boundaries for Irish Hill, Cherokee Triangle, and Crescent Hill. (Google Maps / Broken Sidewalk)

Irish Hill, somewhat appropriately shaped like a shillelagh, a traditional Irish walking stick and war club, lies predominantly to the west of the project site between Lexington and Baxter Avenue on the other side of the cemetery. The building site is isolated by a narrow and spindly corridor of Lexington Road pressed between the cemetery walls, Beargrass Creek and Interstate 64. Still, this snippet of land remains within the neighborhood bounds. Similarly, Cherokee Triangle and Crescent Hill are far from the site but have spurs that reach out and border the site.

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(Courtesy JDG / TBD+)

As it would stand, the project borders green space on most of its perimeter with some commercial space to its north. To the south, an underutilized corner of Cherokee Park containing Willow Pond is cut off from the rest of the park by a golf course and is empty most days. An influx of new people could help bring activity to the space and warrant investment in a shoddy pedestrian environment. West, Cave Hill Cemetery sits cloistered behind its brick wall, and east, a vegetated area shields Interstate 64 from view. To the north sits the entrance to the Beargrass Creek Greenway and a planned landscaped CSO basin by MSD that will serve as another sort of park.

Density is best placed around such central-yet-depopulated areas and great around parks and active transportation facilities like trails and bike lanes.

A view of the project from westbound Interstate 64. (Courtesy JDG / TBD+)

Transportation Options Abound

Given Louisville’s automobile-oriented transportation setup, it would seem likely most people living, working, or shopping at Lexington Pointe would have a car in tow. And for them, the site is conveniently located at the intersection of two prominent streets and a short distance from the Grinstead Drive entrance to Interstate 64.

But there are plentiful transportation options that don’t require a personal vehicle at this site as well. The Beargrass Creek Trail is an excellent bikeway and is planned for extension to the Ohio River. Grinstead has been striped with bike lanes for several years now in both directions and plenty of low traffic residential streets make for pleasant biking to Frankfort Avenue or Bardstown Road. TARC also operates two bus lines passing by the site (Routes 25 and 29) and a half-dozen express routes pass by on 64 without stopping. It seems logical that TARC could adjust its routes given such an increase in activity and density.

Moreover, the mixed-use nature of the project means overall transportation demand may be reduced. For instance, someone staying at the hotel may be doing business in the office space, or perhaps a person living in the apartments works in the retail or office space in the complex.

A view of Etley Avenue. (Branden Klayko / Broken Sidewalk)

So Much Parking

The parking garage is partially wrapped by apartments. (Courtesy JDG / TBD+)

One of the downsides of the proposal, in my opinion, is the behemoth quantity of parking spaces in its garage: 2,300 spaces. That’s a lot of parking, but at least it’s predominantly hidden behind hundreds of apartments. Still, the existence of parking works as an incentive to drive and the cost of building a structured garage increases the cost of the development and ultimately the cost of apartments, condos, and commercial space.

Some residents of Irish Hill and surrounding neighborhoods have expressed concern over the project, however. The main concerns are of the typical NIMBY variety—namely that the project would create parking problems and increase traffic. Bardenwerper said a consultant is studying traffic in the area and proposed a stoplight at Etley Avenue, which would have the dual effect of making Grinstead easier to cross on foot.

The view along Grinstead Drive shows a pitiful pedestrian environment and a low-quality built landscape on the project block. (Branden Klayko / Broken Sidewalk)

In terms of traffic, there’s already a plan—the Lexington Road Corridor Transportation Plan—that’s nearly two years old yet remains unimplemented in typical Louisville fashion. That document calls for a protected bike lane, improved sidewalks, and reconfigured roadbed for the area. Traffic counts compiled by KYTC for this stretch of Lexington show the street already handles less traffic than a similar road diet treatment on Brownsboro Road several years ago. It’s time this plan were implemented.

The Edge of the Williamsburg, Brooklyn, waterfront. (Katie Killary / Flickr)

Design with the Park in Mind

TBD+’s design doesn’t break any barriers, which is a good and bad thing. To my eye, the generally generic design could fit in a number of cities, but that’s something of the reality of such architecture today (more on that in an upcoming article). At first glance, the trio of towers made me think of another large-scale mixed-use project in my old neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Above is a photo of The Edge on the East Riverfront.

A before and after view from the Cherokee Park golf course across the pond. (Courtesy JDG / TBD+)

JDG’s structure, which appears to be clad predominantly in stone or precast, brick, glass, and metal panels, has some handsome angles, especially from the sidewalk level near the apartments. But it ultimately comes off as somehow too generic and cold for the leafy setting surrounding it.

The facade wall, while broken up visually with different materials, currently runs a high risk of appearing flat in real life. Setbacks, while they may add cost, would greatly enhance the project’s design and provide larger outdoor spaces for some apartments.

Rendering of the project as it forms a point at the intersection of Lexington and Grinstead. (Courtesy JDG / TBD+)

Moving east toward the office component, the design takes a distinctly more commercial tone with a glass facade. That’s unfortunate as offices don’t need to look corporate, especially next to so much park and green space. Here at the prow of the wedge-shaped block, Lexington Pointe exposes its parking garage in a manner completely inappropriate for a prominent intersection facing one of Louisville’s most noted parks.

Part of the garage is exposed outright and a false facade attempts to conceal another portion. A building site like this one has no “back” and the structure must present a finished and complete facade on all sides. Exposed parking garages won’t cut it. This section must be redesigned to better respond to its context.

Renderings of the project, however, are still described as preliminary and subject to change.

A view of Lexington Road looking towards the project side on the right. (Branden Klayko / Broken Sidewalk)

A Long Road Ahead

Don’t expect construction crews on the site any time soon. Lexington Pointe has a long way to go, including meetings before the Planning Commission and ultimately approval of Metro Council. I would generally like to see the project approved, and I’m optimistic that JDG will take it upon themselves to address a couple small design details. Or that the Planning Commission will require it. This development has the real potential to be a gateway to not just the Highlands, but to Downtown and the rest of the city beyond.

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(Courtesy JDG / TBD+)

There will also be plenty of NIMBY opposition along the way that could threaten to derail or substantially alter the project for the worse. The arguments so far against the development include the towers’ impact on Cherokee Park, potential increases in traffic, sewer issues, noise problems, and perceived lowered property values, among others. The height of the three towers has reportedly been the most common complaint. Some opponents indicated they might initiate lawsuits against the project. Some of these complaints are being studied by the developer, but others have no merit.

Despite opposition from some, there has been support for the project as well, so there is by no means a consensus that it won’t fit on the site or at the isolated confluence of neighborhoods. I count myself among its supporters.

Aerial view of JDG’s planned 107-acre sprawling complex on the edge of the county. (Google Maps)

Concerns Should be Placed Elsewhere

While the Lexington Pointe project has garnered more vocal outcry, another JDG development in far eastern Jefferson County deserves a critical eye and to be called what it is: exurban sprawl.

Located in the car-centric suburbs near the county line at Factory Lane and Old Henry Road, the 107-acre project is like the Lexington and Grinstead project had no spine and collapsed all over former farmland.

Schematic rendering of the proposed apartments. (Courtesy JDG)

According to the Courier-Journal, the project calls for 160,000-square-feet of commercial space, 112,000-square-foot health club, a car dealership, a 203-unit senior living home, about 30,000-square-feet of retail space, some 1,800 apartments, and a whopping 4,000 parking spaces. The project is estimated at $200 million.

That’s a lot of density way out on the edge of town. This is the kind of density that creates traffic without the benefit of walkability or urban vitality. There’s no transit that reaches the project. Each use is segregates into its own little corner, far away from other uses and disconnected from neighboring developments. Massive parking lots cover former farmland and commercial buildings are spaced far apart. It’s exactly the opposite of what Louisville should be allowing to be built, yet it’s the norm for most projects in the county.

Perhaps that’s why Planning & Design Services found the project conforms to Louisville’s comprehensive plan. And perhaps that’s why Planning Commission Vice Chair Marilyn Lewis called the development a “well thought out plan.” Rezoning for the site was cleared by the commission and passed by Metro Council in February. It’s clear that our comprehensive plan’s ideals of Neighborhood Form Districts and Suburban Workplace Form Districts are failing us and creating more and more auto-centric sprawl.

The sprawling project’s site plan. (Courtesy JDG / Metro Lou)

I hope that JDG’s Irish Hill project moves forward. I believe it would create an exciting mid-point node between several neighborhoods, provide a visual gateway to Louisville, and promote density in a way that can realistically reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). The proposal is on the right track and with the right attention to detail on the part of the developer and architect, Lexington Pointe could be a real showpiece.

The developer has had some difficulty building in urban parts of Louisville, and it’s clear so far that JDG and its lawyer are attempting to avoid pitfalls that jeopardized or killed projects in the past. Jefferson Development Group previously proposed twin office towers atop a parking podium across from Slugger Field. The company demolished two historic buildings on the site but never realized the project. The site today is now a surface parking lot.

After several rounds of revisions and staunch opposition from the Cherokee Triangle neighborhood, JDG abandoned a high-end condo development on Cherokee Road called the Cherokee Grande that would have replaced a 1970s apartment complex. Another proposal, the Willow Grande condo tower, also in Cherokee Triangle, is still planned but has been held up by lawsuits. JDG successfully completed the unfortunately designed Parke Grande in Bonnycastle, a stack of McMansions on Cherokee Road, in 2006.

Thinking about skyscrapers at Lexington and Grinstead Three towers have been proposed to rise in a woebegone patch of asphalt scattered with several local businesses where three Louisville neighborhoods meet.

#Jefferson Development Group #Lexington Grande #Planned Development Districts #Rezoning #Skyscrapers

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