Like 60 or so other people, I dropped by the waterfront yesterday morning for Tyler Allen’s first public foray into campaign politics, a 15-minute or so speech announcing his candidacy for mayor. He stood on a makeshift stage just feet away from the edge of our Mighty Ohio River, on a day on which the sun shone brightly and the temperature was respectful of the well-dressed.

Allen had all the bells and whistles there — a posse of 11 on stage with him, yard signs staked into the grass, stickers bearing “Tyler4Mayor.com” inside a cartoonish speech bubble (which actually plays well with what appears to be a campaign theme: the encouragement of actual dialogue between the masses and elected officials when it comes to big city issues). He didn’t don a tie — in the four years I’ve been following Allen’s efforts in 8664, I have only seen him wear single-color, appropriately cut Oxford shirts and chinos.

Though I’m certain his public speaking skills will improve in short time, Allen seemed a little shaky at the dais. He never invoked 8664 fully and by name, but Allen spent a lot of time speaking from the idealism that has driven the alt-transportation initiative. He — and 8664’s 12,000+ registered supporters, as well as countless others who aren’t so Internet savvy — has been largely shut out of any serious conversations about the Ohio River Bridges Project, which has been to the overall detriment of both that project and the broader discussion about Louisville’s transportation future. That’s where Allen is raw: He’s running for mayor, he says, because he wants to empower the People to raise their voices on matters critical to our city’s future. To that end, Allen called his campaign a “home” for open conversation over the next year.

It’s an intriguing prospect, the idea that the agenda in Louisville — in every incarnation — wouldn’t be driven solely by the Mayor’s Office. The re-balancing of power in Metro government is a theme among all the prominent Democratic candidates (Greg Fischer, Jim King, David Tandy, Tyler Allen). It’s a necessary message coming off the two-decade tenure of Jerry Abramson, whose power and influence are undeniable.

But without the minutiae and provincialism of the Metro Council weighing him down (like King and Tandy), Allen may be able to exist as the “big ideas” candidate, and if there’s one thing our next mayor must be equipped with, it’s a big idea or two. While a balanced budget and fair tax code are imperative, for instance, Allen yesterday called for a renewal of interest in advanced transit — light rail, perhaps — a fuller transparency in government, more investment in local entrepreneurs and businesses, and stronger city efforts in revitalizing downtrodden neighborhoods.

Vague, yes. But we’re off to a good start here.

“For too long, the few have controlled what this community may or may not look like,” he said to a roar of applause.

Allen also said he would push for the immediate construction of an East End Bridge, which he said had been “stymied” by a few monied interests (he’s referring to a prominent Louisville family who might just be affiliated with a certain booze company and another certain preservationist group). In an interview after the speech, I asked him whether he’d push 8664 as mayor.

“I’m as committed to 8664 as I ever have been,” he said. A fairly non-committal answer, but it’s Day One. We’ll see whether that gains much traction. A lot of folks who might otherwise see the “change” candidate (I know, but he said it about 100 times) as palatable could find 8664 offensive, boneheaded or just plain pie-in-the-sky. This city isn’t as progressive as some might think.

I waited a day to write this piece because I was curious to see how other local media covered the announcement. Of course they’ve dutifully covered every other one, including those by Republicans Chris Thieneman and Councilman Hal Heiner, R-19. Several TV stations were there, and I talked briefly with WFPL’s Gabe Bullard. But the only TV report I saw was this one by Fox-41. The Courier-Journal was not present. Despite the paper’s staunch opposition to 8664, I expected a reporter to show. Allen probably isn’t a favorite at this point, but neither is anyone else this early in a five-person primary. It’s strange to see the dominant media institution potentially writing off his candidacy before it even started — if that’s what was going on (UPDATE: C-J’s Dan Klepal explains that C-J was consistent with its policy on covering mayoral candidates, and says here there’s no conspiracy).

Considering that Allen is the founder of one of the most potent grassroots movements Louisville has seen in the past few years, and that he represents a legitimate change from the old system of governance and politics, expect him to make some friends along the way. People I’ve talked to in political circles are taking his candidacy seriously. His fellow Democrats are, too.