(Outside of Lexington and Louisville.)

C.H. Parsons Building - Ashland

ACTC to develop virtual Parsons design (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_156225402.html)

Notes --
1. The Ashland Community and Technical College is constructing a virtual design of the former C.H. Parsons building in downtown Ashland. The virtual design will showcase planned $10 million in restorations to the exterior and interior, and will bring curb appeal to the aging downtown building. The structure, at Winchester Avenue and 17th Street, is on tap to become a convention center, offices, pre-employment testing center, an entrepreneur center, and classrooms and laboratories for ACTC's health occupation programs. It will feature also feature a conference center that could host 500. Perry Madden donated the building to ACTC in December 2006.
1a. Work is slated to begin this summer, with "visible improvements" to the facade by the end of 2007. The building was built in 1926.
1b. The $10,000 donation was part of ACTC’s Fulfilling the Promise fundraising campaign, which has brought in more than $4 million. The original goal was $3.2 million.
2. The Woodlands Foundation has pledged $10,000 to the Community & Technical College Foundation of Ashland Inc. to assist in funding the design. An architectural firm would gather measurements and take digital photographs, and use software to create a virtual tour.

Article information: "ACTC to develop virtual Parsons design, By MIKE JAMES, The Independent [Ashland], June 5, 2007"

Developer tells Ashland Alliance to embrace change or perish (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_164234224.html):
Downtown area has potential, Dargusch says
Developer tells Ashland Alliance to embrace change or perish, Mike James, The Independent, June 13, 2007

On June 13, the developer of Huntington’s Pullman Square (Bill Dargusch, CEO of Metropolitan Partners) told the Ashland Alliance that Ashland has the potential for development into a thiriving retail and commercial district, and that "it is coming whether we like it or not." He also waned them that they should "embrace change or perish."

Some of the challenges for the city of Ashland include: city leaders need to recognize the changes in the business environment (over the past 20 years), and that retail decisions cannot mirror those of the past. After years of building shopping centers and malls, there has been a shift in consumer preferences in what has been referred to as a "spatial relationship" between the retail structure itself and their environment. The latter has a good case study: Easton Town Center, an open-air complex that was very risky to develop but ultimately successful.

A downtown development, also, is only as successful as the city itself. Pullman Square was able to succeed because the city was committed to redeveloping the downtown. Public-private partnerships are also very important. While developers in the past located malls and plazas on flat, available land, today's urban developers require more dependence on the public sector. For instance, Pullman Square would not have been possible without public funding for the parking structures. In return, the developers must be able to demonstrate that the new projects will add to the tax base of the community.

"What happens when there is downtown excitement is that people decide it’s the place to be," stated Bill Dargusch. For instance, rather than having a specific destination for dining, a family may simply meet downtown and then make their restaurant and shopping choices.

Another issue with Ashland is Winchester Avenue that "bleeds business from downtown." The current pattern, four-lanes with parallel parking, makes it too easy for motorists to get through the business district. Converting it from four- to two-lanes, with diagonal parking, would slow traffic and increase the number of parking spaces. Motorists would be able to have more time to notice the businesses and pedestrians would feel safer. Case in point: Huntington's change of Third Avenue from five- to -two-lanes, who two decades ago, decided that the artery would provide a "quick exodus" from downtown. Many opposed the lane change, fearing it would cause congestion, but that has not happened. Dargusch stated quite bluntly to Huntington leaders during the planning phase of Pullman Square, "that's why your downtown stinks."

The presentation by Bill Dargusch was invaluable considering that Metropolitan Partners have had a proven record of success.

KSU buildings need repairs (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/1816631)
By SARA GIVIDEN, State Journal [Frankfort], April 5, 2007

The Council on Postsecondary Education reviewed the Statewide Facilities Condition Assessment Report on April 4, 2007 and assessed Kentucky State University's building, looking at the exterior components, roof, heating, windows, and interior finish. Six buildings at KSU received below satisfactory rankings. The Atwood Agriculture Research Building, Bradford Hall, Jackson Hall, and White Health Center need major renovations or new assigned uses, and the Jordan Maintenance Building and Jordan Shop/Warehouse should be demolished, according to the report. Many buildings are over 30 years old and need upgrading.

Jackson Hall is the oldest, at 119 years old. It needs access to the second floor with an elevator, as well as providing display space for African art from the Center of Excellence, as well as other significant improvements. Shauntee Hall is currently being remodeled for the Art Department, and the renovation should provide adequate space post-renovation. Bradford Hall had inadequate band room height, ensemble, and choral room spaces. The business school is housed in the same building with the music program, and does not promote the image of a typical business program because of its lack of technology and space. According to the report, Bradford Hall should be significantly renovated or demolished because of settlement cracks, and that the business program and music/theater program be relocated. The Atwood Agricultural Research facility should be expanded, with more classroom space, and major renovations to the heating and cooling systems. The Jordan Shop/Warehouse should be demolished because the buildings are substandard and cannot be fully utilized.

The recommendations are being incorporated into the University's Master Facility Plan.

New justice center planning begins (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/1832291)
BY CHARLIE PEARL, State-Journal [Frankfort], April 9, 2007

Personal note: I am favoring option one in this case, as it would lead to local streets being reconnected, lead to an increase of on-street parking, and have that 1970s-era courthouse demolished.

The new Franklin County Judicial Center could alter the Frankfort skyline more so than the new Paul Sawyer Public Library. The proposed justice center is three stories, 102,000 sq. ft., and comes at a cost of $30 million. The new library, on the other hand, is two stories, 40,000 sq. ft., and cost $9 million.

Some sites for the new judicial center include,
1. The John C. Watts Federal Building site on Broadway. Some, including preservationists, have proposed moving the federal court from the Watts Building back to its previous location in the old Paul Sawyer Public Library structure. The Watts Building would be demolished, and Madison Street would be reopened from Broadway to Clinton Street. The new judicial center would be built on that block. With this, the advantages include the keeping of the courthouse in the downtown. No historic buildings would be demolished, Broadway and Clinton Streets are reconnected, and at least 50 on-street parking spaces are returned. In the early 1970s, an entire square block of historic buildings were demolished adjacent to the Old Capitol for the new federal building.
2. The former sand lot on the Kentucky River on Wilkinson Blvd. (now considered for a Gattitown and fitness center)
3. The former location of the Rodney Ratliff's metal recycling center on Holmes Street. Is is now owned by the state.
4. The Good Shepherd School property, which is adjacent to the current Franklin County Court House on St. Clair Street.
5. The property on St. Clair between the courthouse and West Main Street.
6. Property in the St. Clair pedestrian block that had a severe fire. (Properties that will now be restored - see later article.)
7. Property on Mero Street across from the state Transportation Cabinet complex, towards the Capital Plaza Tower.
8. Lakeview Park.

The board for the site selection will have its first meeting April 17. The new building will have jury trial courtrooms, non-jury trial courtrooms, hearing rooms, grand jury areas, judge chambers, a law library, circuit court clerk areas, prisoner-handling facilities, court security, and support areas.

The current historic courthouse will be preserved.

Where is Frankfort? Kentucky isn't even in the southeast. :poke:

Uh... yes it is. Frankfort is between Lexington and Louisville (both of which are covered on this board), and is the capital city of Kentucky.

Curtains part at the Grand Theatre (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2019791)
By Rorye O'Connor, State-Journal [Frankfort], May 18, 2007
More information, call Bill Cull at 226-4157

The Grand Theatre, at 308 St. Clair Street (pedestrian area), is being restored. The Save the Grand Theatre Inc., a non-profit organization, began work in 2005 to restore the structure. It removed 30 truckloads of concrete and dirt (dirt???) from the building. It was constructed in 1910 as a vaudeville theater. The restoration has stripped the walls down to the original painted plaster of the 1910 theater, and the sloped floor and ornate decorations of the 1941 movie theater (which lasted until the 1960s). It later became a discount store and then a lawyer's office.

In the 1940s, the upper floor was reserved for the African-Americans, and had "colored" restrooms and water fountains.

The Grand Theatre, once restored, will become a performing arts center. It is being funded by open houses and yard sales, and through a 2% hotel room tax that was approved on December 1, 2006 -- that is in place until $3 million is raised needed for the restoration work. 125 are currently volunteering with the profess. Before the project began in 2005, the organization used the building to show movies and have concert series. A 35-mm movie projector was donated by Regal Theaters, along with speakers, a projector screen, and 500-seats for the finished facility.

Restoration is slated for completion in fall 2008, or early 2009.

http://photos-926.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v81/55/66/12904118/n12904118_34011926_4911.jpg
Photograph taken on June 14, 2007.

Justice center design bids due June 20 (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2044492)
BY CHARLIE PEARL, State-Journal [Frankfort], May 24, 2007

The Franklin County Project Development Board will soon select the site for a new $30 million judicial center. They voted on May 23, 2007 to advertise for an architect, and to advertise for a financial agent, which will arrange for the selling of the bonds for the new building.

As for the possible locations, one on the board suggested the old Model Laundry property in the block from Clinton Street to Mero Street. It is on St. Clair Street behind the Frankfort Convention Center. It is not a historic structure and is a half-block (~2 acres). Two homes in the block are vacant, and another was sold recently.

St. Clair restoration slated (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2080481)
By VINCE TWEDDELL, State-Journal [Frankfort], June 3, 2007
Article has images. In the post above, the arson-burned buildings are on the right out of the camera's view. This is very good news, considering that the block is continuous, is seeing improvements, and is drawing in a healthy crowd.

An arson fire gutted several buildings several months ago at 333 St. Clair, including the Downtown Bar and the Serafini restaurant. Restoration of the buildings could begin by August and be complete by early 2008. One owner (owns two buildings) has been obtaining permits, submitting applications, etc. in the process, and plans on "redoing the facade to its original style" when it was constructed in 1871. Debris removal should begin in July, along with facade stabilization.

333 St. Clair (Serafini Restaurant): The plan calls for the current kickplates (trim on the lower wall surfaces) to be replaced with wooden kickplates that were more commonplace back in the late 1800s, installing 11-ft. doorways, and removing the transom from above the storefront.

(Downtown Bar): Will be restored to its original style.

One of the positives that has come out of the fire is that some of the horrid renovations from the 1950s can be "erased." It makes it easier to restore the buildings closer to their original design.

(Tink's Bar-B-Q): The restoration of the building is "up in the air." The owner of the two properties has been in discussions to buy out Tink's to restore the building.

Plan envisions new life for the old YMCA (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2061731)
BY CHARLIE PEARL, State-Journal [Frankfort], May 30, 2007

Personal note: Funny story about this. I was trying to find the building late one night and took a wrong turn down an industrial park road. Frankfort police pulls me over and wonders why I am driving out in an industrial area at 1:30 AM. I told him I wanted to do night photography of the YMCA building (which was the truth), so he shows me exactly where it was at! A great building adjacent to the Singing Bridge that definitely would be great restored.

The former YMCA Building could cost $186,000 to demolish, but it could be converted into an upscale restaurant on the first floor, and condominiums on the second and third floors. The study to convert the building was funded through a $3,000 grant provided by the National Trust and Preservation Kentucky -- concluding that the building is structurally sound. Most building restorations, the study found, were in much worse shape.

Roof repair was done through a $5,000 grant from the Kentucky Trust for Historic Preservation. The three story structure features ornate archways, and baseboard throughout. The restaurant concept would have a large banquet room, several private meeting rooms, a bar, and a terrace for outdoor dining overlooking the Kentucky River. Eight two-bedroom condos would be on the second and third floors.

The debate on the building began in the winter of 2006, when the city notified the property owner Robert J. Ehrler (Old Y Development LLC of Louisville) of property maintenance code violations. He bought it for $47,000 in 1989, which had not been used since the record 1978 flood. He has intentions to restore the building but does not have the funding.

The Kentucky Heritage Commission (now the Heritage Council) and (retired) Franklin Circuit Judge Ray Corns had offices in the building, but were forced to move out during the flood.

http://photos-477.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v81/55/66/12904118/n12904118_34012477_6241.jpg
Photograph taken on June 14, 2007.

Great thread seicer! We never hear anything from Ky outside of Louisville.

It would be cool to see some photos of Frankfort.

And come on people....learn your geography!

I have many photographs of Frankfort, but I am holding off on publishing all of them until I can get UrbanUp ... up. The town is quite beautiful and I have barely touched the surface, in terms of photos.

I think this goes here. Located 21 miles south of Lexington, with excellent visibility from I-75, Richmond Centre will be the premier regional shopping, entertainment and hospitality venue for south, central Kentucy. This 120-acre multi-use development will comprise approximately 800,000 square feet of retail space, including traditional and discount department stores, specialty retailers, a bookstore, theatre, restaurants and hotels. Richmond Centre is a joint venture project between Crosland LLC of Charlotte, NC and Carolina Holdings, Inc of Greenville, SC: http://carolinanewswire.com/news/News.cgi?database=1news.db&command=viewone&id=5267&op=t

Rendering: http://www.corderphilips.com/pr/richmondcentrerendering.jpg

Other information: http://www.choldings.com/Marketing%20Packages/Richmond,%20KY.pdf

^ Ugh. I heard about this in Richmond a while back. It is supposed to draw some of the residents from fleeing to Hamburg Pavilion in Lexington. The rendering may look nice, but it's just another suburban strip mall. (vomits)

Any news on whats going on in NKY? Ive heard of a lot of projects happening up there, just dont know which ones actually developed.

There are plenty of projects, from new high-rises (for Kentucky) to new commercial developments. Perhaps a thread can be started on NKY :)

^ Ugh. I heard about this in Richmond a while back. It is supposed to draw some of the residents from fleeing to Hamburg Pavilion in Lexington. The rendering may look nice, but it's just another suburban strip mall. (vomits)

Yeah, but people from out-of-town or state like me might not have heard of this development before and the first news link I posted regarding this development being revealed was from yesterday.

^ I wasn't complaining about the posting, just that I had recalled it from earlier.

Paris abounds with renovation, new businesses (http://kentucky.com/211/story/101687.html)
By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader [Lexington], June 19, 2007

Downtown Paris is coming back to life. Victorian buildings are being renovated and restored; vinyl paneling facades that were installed in the 1970s to modernize the storefronts are being taken down; new streetlights and sidewalks are adding to a new, clean look. Three years ago, the number of businesses along Main Street were less than 12. Today, there are very few buildings that are empty. First floor tenants are all but leased out, and second floors are being converted into offices. There are now seven locally owned restaurants, with two more scheduled to open this summer. Live music is now playing at some, and a newer Paris-Bourbon County Farmers Market operates a year-round store. In 2004, there were four antique shops, but now there are thirteen. The town also now boasts a fenced dog park, and the first part of a three-mile walking path.

Five years ago, according to Bluegrass Tomorrow, Paris was the 'least changed' of any central Kentucky town of the last 100 years. They had the same amount of people in 2000 as they did in 1900 -- 9,000. While the population has increased just slightly over 9,000 today, the 'civic energy level' has increased.

Credits can go towards the rebuilt 12.5-mile Paris Pike, which opened in 2003. It is considered one of the most scenic highways in the United States -- and much safer. It was mired in controversy, and some feared that sprawl would overtake Paris -- but in 2006, only 38 house lots were platted. The city is eying smart growth, not sprawl, as a way to bring in more starter homes and upscale housing. The county has 85 horse farms, and ranks third in equine sales, and is in the top 10 for agriculture production. Zoning regulations and the comprehensive land use plan are also restrictive. Building a subdivision outside of the city limits is all but "impossible."

This shopping center will intercept some shoppers who would otherwise drive to Lexington from the South but I dont think it can really compete with Hamburg which has over 2 million sf. of retail alone. This number doesnt include offices hotels and restaurants.

I dont really see a whole lot of value in this development. It'll bring some money and low income jobs to the metro but all in all it's just another strip mall.

This shopping center will intercept some shoppers who would otherwise drive to Lexington from the South but I dont think it can really compete with Hamburg which has over 2 million sf. of retail alone. This number doesnt include offices hotels and restaurants.

I dont really see a whole lot of value in this development. It'll bring some money and low income jobs to the metro but all in all it's just another strip mall.

If what I read is true then it will "most definitly" compete with Hamburg and probably be the best retail spot in that region. My source came from a bizjournal out of carolina.They are talking about bringing in retail new to that area which includes lexington(which could be a good thing). And the actual "retail" complex is supposed to be bigger than the actual retail stores that are in hamburg. Hamburg is more mixed use. The lot just happens to be big and it has more than just retail there.

They are doing the same thing on the indiana side of Lou metro with the same type of development in jeffersonville which will actually be bigger than the one in richmond. I still don't see why Indiana needs something that but thats another topic by itself. It makes no sense because they have the same crap literally 5 blocks away in clarksville. I know people in Louisville are worried about that place getting some of the folks who usually go to the summitt or the springhurst shopping center. These lifestyle centers just happen to be the "in" thing right now and we all need to get used to it. As much as I hate them personally, because the only thing those places are good for is traffic. This is why I stay away from the east end in Louisville/Oldham County. As of matter of fact they are going to build a lifestyle center in Oldham similar to the one in Jeffersonville.

I think the Louisville area is going to be saturated with the same stores here soon. I mean how many expresses and victoria secrets do you truly need? We will basically have about 4 of the same type of places either underconstruction or just about to get started. I'm honestly not looking forward to seeing those places. The only place I am looking forward to see is quartermaster downtown which will finally bring the high end retail to kentucky. We should no longer have to drive up to indy or cincy to actually find good retail.

Hopefully the good folks in the central Kentucky can stay away from the saturation of the same stores and the same developments. Unfortunately it looks like they may be in for the same crap we have here. Good luck with the bottleneck traffic. If you need proof just look west down I-64 in the Louisville area. :bash:

Believe me we are SATURATED. We have two of the stores you mentioned (seeing as how you're three times our size it's comparable. We also have three liquor barns, four Wal Marts (did they really have to build that one in Hamburg that's just down the street from a Meijer and a Target?).

I didn't realize we were talking about a lifestyle center I thought we were talking about "just another strip mall". Either way it will draw more shoppers into the metro, probably nothing much to speak of but it will help Richmond out. Madison County is on it's way to passing the 100,000 mark in terms of population so maybe this will help them get there.

Believe me we are SATURATED. We have two of the stores you mentioned (seeing as how you're three times our size it's comparable. We also have three liquor barns, four Wal Marts (did they really have to build that one in Hamburg that's just down the street from a Meijer and a Target?).

I didn't realize we were talking about a lifestyle center I thought we were talking about "just another strip mall". Either way it will draw more shoppers into the metro, probably nothing much to speak of but it will help Richmond out. Madison County is on it's way to passing the 100,000 mark in terms of population so maybe this will help them get there.

I was about to ask you the same thing Ian. The mixture of retail at hamburg is very very weird. Yeah I hear you on the walmart thing. Walmart was a topic of discussion today at my job. Most of the people I work with cringe at the site of a walmart. It seems like just about every exit off the gene snyder has a freaking super walmart. In my personal opinion they should have put the walmart and targets of the world on winchester rd. I just hate the mixture of semi-trendi retail with walmart. Hamburg isn't the only place I've seen like this I just hate the mixture because it makes no sense. I just don't understand why its all saturated in one area.

However, I can understand a development like that being in madison county. Putting something like that in Lexington won't really help out the region because it saturates the market. You put something like that in Richmond or Danville and you draw alot of folks from a wider demographic. I feel the same way about the development similar to that one in Indiana. It draws more people from different areas of southern Indiana who really don't want to drive into the city. In my opinion it makes perfect sense for that development to be in Richmond which is a decent size college town in a growing county. I think even places like Ashland would benefit from lifestyle centers. I just think they work better in exurban communties and they actually hurt the urban areas more than they help. As you can tell I just hate those type of places. Especially when you have old navy's 5 miles apart is just doing to much.LOL

Yeah I agree about these things being slightly positive in the exurbs but in the city i would be deadset against it. As far as Lexington is concerned I wouldn't mind if we never saw another strip mall, lifestyle center, whatever developers choose to call them.

Hamburg is a blessing and a curse. On one end it has created thousands of new jobs and the mix of land uses is good. The problem is it's very very very unfriendlyto pedestrians and the land uses are too far apart making it 99.99% auto-centric.
It's proximity to I-75 and the 64 split attracts passersby who may not otherwise stop and spend a few bucks in Lexington but it spawning demand for suburban development like crazy. If you dont believe me just consider that there was NOTHING north of Todds Road 11 years ago. Now development is eating up that land faster than I can really get my head around. If you blink you've missed something under construction and all that housing is upper middle class which makes it really...boring.

Perhaps this lifestyle center in Richmond will draw enough of the demand to slow that down a bit.

Yeah I agree about these things being slightly positive in the exurbs but in the city i would be deadset against it. As far as Lexington is concerned I wouldn't mind if we never saw another strip mall, lifestyle center, whatever developers choose to call them.

Hamburg is a blessing and a curse. On one end it has created thousands of new jobs and the mix of land uses is good. The problem is it's very very very unfriendlyto pedestrians and the land uses are too far apart making it 99.99% auto-centric.
It's proximity to I-75 and the 64 split attracts passersby who may not otherwise stop and spend a few bucks in Lexington but it spawning demand for suburban development like crazy. If you dont believe me just consider that there was NOTHING north of Todds Road 11 years ago. Now development is eating up that land faster than I can really get my head around. If you blink you've missed something under construction and all that housing is upper middle class which makes it really...boring.

Perhaps this lifestyle center in Richmond will draw enough of the demand to slow that down a bit.

I definitly agree with everything you said. Its just sad we can't build retail areas like the Europeans do. Talk about pedestrian friendly. You hardly see any vehicles around. People just walking from shop to shop.

Yeah I agree about these things being slightly positive in the exurbs but in the city i would be deadset against it. As far as Lexington is concerned I wouldn't mind if we never saw another strip mall, lifestyle center, whatever developers choose to call them.

Hamburg is a blessing and a curse. On one end it has created thousands of new jobs and the mix of land uses is good. The problem is it's very very very unfriendlyto pedestrians and the land uses are too far apart making it 99.99% auto-centric.
It's proximity to I-75 and the 64 split attracts passersby who may not otherwise stop and spend a few bucks in Lexington but it spawning demand for suburban development like crazy. If you dont believe me just consider that there was NOTHING north of Todds Road 11 years ago. Now development is eating up that land faster than I can really get my head around. If you blink you've missed something under construction and all that housing is upper middle class which makes it really...boring.

Perhaps this lifestyle center in Richmond will draw enough of the demand to slow that down a bit.

Well, Lexington is fast running out of room in its urban service area, and given the heat that the city took under the last administration when they wanted to incorporate in "potential expansion areas" that were in the rural service area (you know, to prep the land up for developers), I don't think we'll be seeing an expansion of the USA any time soon.

Hamburg Pavilion was a compromise. The original plans from the Maddens were horrible: typical suburban strip development with little to the imagination. Seeing that they were facing much opposition for the plans ten years ago, they decided to try to drown out some of the opposition by doing extensive landscaping and designing facades for the buildings that resembled something nicer than your generic crap that goes up today.

Still, there are many big-boxes and an area that is not pedestrian friendly. The Maddens are years away from a total build-out, with the residential zones still having a LOT of land left to consume, and the commercial lots having about another five years worth of expansion -- at the current rate. It may accelerate once the Star Shoot Parkway extension is complete to Liberty Road.

^ And something else, if Hamburg ever redevelops 20-30 years in the future, it will be prime for dense urbanization. I can easily see how, by using the existing road layout, that the whole area could be radically changed.

(did they really have to build that one in Hamburg that's just down the street from a Meijer and a Target?).



No. But Meijer is on a totally different level than a crappy ass Wal-Mart and the typical consumer is well aware of that. Wal-Mart is trying it's hardest to push Meijer out of the market and it just will not happen. Good for Meijer!

No. But Meijer is on a totally different level than a crappy ass Wal-Mart and the typical consumer is well aware of that. Wal-Mart is trying it's hardest to push Meijer out of the market and it just will not happen. Good for Meijer!

You're absolutely right, if you notice in every market where a meijers is located walmart isn't far away. Usually always somewhere within a 1-3 mile radius.

Kentucky Heritage Council members tour Cox building (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2007/06/27/local_news/2447cox.txt)
By MISTY MAYNARD, The Ledger Independent [Maysville], Monday, June 25, 2007

The Cox Building in downtown Maysville was constructed in 1886 and is nearly 50,000 sq. ft. and spread over five floors. It originally housed retail on the first floor, professional offices, and space for the Masonic Lodge. For a long time, Kilgus Pharmacy occupied the ground floor. On June 25, representatives from the Kentucky Heritage Council (and the city of Maysville) gave a tour of the building. The city has filed a Renaissance on the Main grant application, and representatives from the Heritage Council were part of the decision-making team for that grant.

More recently, the Cox building housed several stores, apartments, and the Maysville Mission. The Mission has requested to stay in the building for the time being, because the city has not started on any work yet, and the city finds it beneficial to have a tenant in the building to "keep an eye on things."

The building was purchased by the city of Maysville for $200,000 from Wayne and Diane Johnson with plans to restore it. The grant application that was filed recently is for $150,000 to do mostly exterior work on the building, including repairs on the roof and gutters. Total renovation costs have not been calculated, although it would be very high.

Suggested uses for the Cox building include retail space, apartments, and a conference center. But after discovering that the building was not originally used for apartment space but for professional office space, the city may consider scrapping the apartments and going just for offices. The city is more likely to receive grant money if the building is restored to its original use.

Multiple fires set at former school (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2007/06/27/local_news/2442jones.txt)
By MISTY MAYNARD, The Ledger Independent [Maysville], Tuesday, June 26, 2007

As many as seven fires were discovered in the now vacant Jones Elementary School Monday. Smoke was coming from the rear portion of the building, and was contained to various locations -- the library, gymnasium, kitchen, and utility room. The majority of the fires were not large, although the utility room was fully engulfed.

The school has been empty since late 2005 when the district moved into the new Mason County Intermediate School. The property was then sold to Tom Lundergan in March 2006 for $80,000. He purchased the building as an investment, and has plans for future work on the property. The damage to the buildings from the fires will not affect those plans.

The fires were all very suspicious, considering all of the locations the fires were set in. No accelerant was appearantly used, but items remaining in the old school were used to fuel the fires -- such as stage curtains, carpeting, and shelves. There was also graffiti, expressing various negative opinions against members of the Maysville police department.

The fire was located several blocks from the Parker Tobacco Warehouse, which suffered extensive fire damage in May.

Louisville firm picked to design judicial center (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2295042)
BY CHARLIE PEARL, State Journal [Frankfort], July 23, 2007

Picked just last week among four companies, Louis & Henry Group of Louisville will be designing the $30 million Franklin County Judicial Center. Nine firms sent proposals, which were narrowed to four in June.

The proposal by Louis & Henry calls for a 284,000 sq. ft. structure. Other notable judicial buildings that the company has developed in the past include the 82,111 sq. ft Hardin County Judicial Center in Elizabethtown, the $2.2 million Gallatin County Courthouse addition in Warsaw, and the $13 million Boyd County Courthouse in Catlettsburg.

I guess I'll use this for news regarding the city :)

What's in store for the old corner store? (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2362902)
By Vince Tweddell, State-Journal [Frankfort], August 6, 2007

1891 view (http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u168/contactvan/?action=view&current=picture070copy.jpg) | Another map (http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u168/contactvan/?action=view&current=chronology.jpg)
Interior view (http://205.204.134.47:2005/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/Cusick&CISOPTR=177&REC=16) | More interior views (http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/Moments07RS/28_web_leg_moments.htm)

The former Noonan's grocery store on W. Second Street has been vacant for years and was condemned by the city on July 10. The building has been vacant since 1981, and the roof on the building collapsed several years ago. The historic two-story brick structure may be demolished for a parking lot, according to rumors circulating in the neighborhood surrounding it. A public safety structure is being constructed next to the police department, and will require additional parking. The building's owner, Bill Noonan, refuted any plans to tear down the building or sell the structure to the city.

An article from a January 1981's Courier-Journal article stated that the service-oriented Noonan's grocery store occupied three north Frankfort locations since 1895, when it was founded, before it moved to 200 W. Second Street in 1924.

Land proposals submitted for new Fleming Justice Center (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2007/08/13/local_news/2199justicecenter.txt)
By Marla Toncray, Ledger Independent [Maysville], August 9, 2007

[Personal comment: Justice centers are essentially functioning courthouses, and as both the center and courthouse share common resources, they should be located adjacent or as close to each other as possible. Every justice center I've seen in Kentucky is within one or two blocks of the courthouse.]

The Fleming County Project Development Board met on August 7 to accept site proposals for a new Fleming County Justice Center. Seven proposals were presented at the meeting, and a list was presented about landowners that were interested in selling property for the new center. The new justice center is funded by the Administrative Offices of the Courts, and has an allocated budget of $11,536,000 and will require a minimum of two acres.

There were concerns from both sides of the debate on its location. One side focused on the impact a new justice center would have if it was located along the Kentucky Route 11/32 bypass versus the downtown, and parking if it was located in the downtown.

Proposals along the bypass include --
* One by Mark Hendrix for a four-acre site at $30,000. 2.5 acres would be donated, and the remainder 1.5 would go for $20,000/acre. The property has 11 acres total, has an 8-inch sewer easement, and a 6-inch water line in place.
* One by John Cheap at W. Water Street and Cherry Grove Road. The 5.5 acre site has a price of $300,000, but it is not within city limits. It would need to be annexed before any work could be done.

Proposals in the downtown include --
* Proposals by Dave Collins, Frank McCartney, Wally Thomas, and Delores Craft include multiple properties near the existing courthouse. Each proposal features several parcels being sold to meet the minimum two-acre requirement. Some included homes or lots on E. Main Street, Ryan Street, the Bob Jones Insurance office, the old jail and sheriff's offices, green space behind the Community Trust Bank building, the former animal hospital, the old hotel, and several city parking lots.

Downtown face lift (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_245232808.html): Building owners take it upon selves to restore structure
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent [Ashland], September 2, 2007

The Meade Building is having its facade restored after nearly 40 years of being covered with a metal awning. This week, workers have been removing the 1960s-era metal awning that has been covering the underlying brickwork, after strong storms that hit the area on August 16 promoted the removal after it had loosened some of the metal panels on the building. The two-story building, in the 1600 block of Winchester Avenue, is owned by Chuck and Pat Hatcher of Flatwoods and houses Michael Quade Decorating and Design and Ronk’s Uniform Center.

The couple bought the building in December 2006 because they wanted to be involved in the revitalization of downtown Ashland and had planned on having the building restored as part of the Main Street facade restoration project. Main Street's plans to begin renovations this year have been repeatedly delayed since February due to difficulties in attracting companies to do the work. In addition, the Meade building was far down on the list of buildings to be renovated -- possibly years away. But safety issues, prompted by the storm, led the owners to remedy the situation immediately.

The Meade building was constructed in 1917 by William Meade as a hotel with ground floor retail space. It was originally a four-story building with light wells descending from the roof to provide light and ventilation to the hotel floors. Pollock Jewelers and Mayo's restaurant were early occupants of the ground floor. In the 1940s, Eagle Stores Company operated a department store in the building, sharing a common wall with the Camayo Arcade. Eventually, doors were installed between the two buildings in the basement and first floor, and in the 1960s, Eagle expanded to occupy some space in the Arcade. The upper floors of the Meade were being used as apartments.

In 1968, a fire started in one of the apartment units that severely damaged the upper floors. As a result, the third and fourth floors were demolished and a flat roof was installed above the second floor ceilings. A false brick and metal facade was installed to cover the damage.

In related news, Main Street will open bids for the phase one of the facade renovation project on September 7.

I thought I posted an earlier article on the Old YMCA building, so I'll try to dig it up...

Old Y building to be wrecked
By Vince Tweddell, State-Journal [Frankfort], September 11, 2007

The Old Y Building on Bridge Street is slated for demolition, despite the works of preservationists who are working to save it. City commissioners on Monday told Planning Director Gary Muller to tear it down.

Muller stated that he will begin advertising for a demolition crew as soon as possible, and the City Commission will vote on its approval in late October. The demolition is being pursued because the building "poses a threat to public health, safety and welfare."

The building has been condemned for more than a year, but local preservationists hoped it could be saved. They are learned that the city was pursuing this course of action, since plans for the restoration of the building have been underway for a while. A marketing study and a general study with plans have proven that the building is structurally sound -- something that the city agrees on.

In May, plans were unveiled that the building would be converted into an upscale restaurant on the first floor, and condominiums on the second and third floors.

In winter 2006, the city notified Old Y Development LLC of Louisville and Robert J. Ehrler, the property owners, of the building code violations, and that the building needed to be repaired or it would be razed.

Independent Excavating wins Maysville riverwalk contract (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2007/09/14/local_news/2084riverwalk.txt)
By Marla Toncray, The Ledger Independent, September 13, 2007

The Maysville City Commission awarded the contract for construction of the Riverwalk project on Thursday. Indepdent Excavating of Maysville was selected to handle the project with a bid of $469,117, and it should be done by late October. The city is awaiting delivery of two construction permits, one from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the second from the Division of Water, and once those have been received, the project will begin.

The Maysville Riverwalk project has been in the works for several years. It will ultimately extend from Limestone Landing to Wall Street, where it will use a pedestrian crossing under the railroad tracks at an existing opening. It will not adjoin the existing Limestone Landing pier, but will be approximately 100 feet downstream from the pier because of a concrete landing pad for riverboats to dock and place gang planks. A sidewalk will connect the two areas.

The entire project will not be complete this year, as the portion bid out must be completed by December 31. The entire Riverwalk project should be completed by late November or early December 2007.

Funds appropriated for the project and are available to the city are just $660,000.

Courthouse vs. their house (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2570361)
By Charlie Pearl, State Journal [Frankfort], September 18, 2007

A new judicial center in Frankfort could take out a row of buildings in the historic downtown if the Franklin County Project Development Board has their way. The buildings are between the existing Franklin County Courthouse and the corner of St. Clair and W. Main streets.

One of the buildings, adjacent to the equally historic courthouse, has been around since 1850. The building was recently partially restored, and features an one-bedroom loft apartment on the upper floor, and two commercial units on the first floor -- which are being restored now. The current owner purchased the building in 2003 when it was in a dilapidated shape and could have been condemned. The roof was in very poor condition, and a tree was growing out of the back wall.

Craig Potts stated, "Some people might say if you demolish this corner, it's only a few buildings. It's not a big deal. This is a big district.' But this is exactly how historic districts die. You take chunks here and chunks there, and then the next thing you know the district as an environment has essentially been lost."

Courthouse addition rejected (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2582171)
By Charlie Pearl, State Journal, September 20, 2007

The new Franklin County Judicial Center will be a stand-alone building in the downtown, rather than as an addition to the historic 1835 Franklin County Courthouse on St. Clair Street.

The Project Development Board that is in charge of selecting a site and overseeing construction, agreed unanimously in a straw vote Wednesday, to build a new $30 million, 102,000 sq. ft. facility rather than an addition.

In August, Franklin Commonwealth's Attorney Larry Cleveland recommended adding to the existing courthouse and retaining the Family Court building and Courthouse Annex. He stated that to build an entirely new judicial center would be a grand waste of taxpayers' money. Then, one month later, Josian Passalacqua, president of the Franklin County Bar Association, suggested approving a resolution saying a new facility "would be a waste of taxpayer money and disrupt the downtown."

Opinions varied and the vote on the resolution was postponed.

At Wednesday's regular monthly Project Development Board meeting, the architect and construction manager of the project both recommended a new stand-alone facility, arguing that an addition would be more costly.

The state Administrative Office of the Courts did a survey of all courthouses in the state, and made a priority list according to the greatest need. It calls for new judicial centers with a security system where judges, prisoners and the public have separate entrances and never meet except in the courtrooms. It is also designed to build centers that will provide enough space for up to 100 years.

Also on Wednesday, the potential sites were narrowed to four.

1. The newest site is the St. Clair parking garage, which the city of Frankfort just closed due to public safety and liability reasons. The City Commission learned the cost to repair the deteriorating garage would range from $589,000 to $2.57 million, depending on various options. Demolition costs would range from $447,000 to $2 million. A five-story judicial center could fit on the parking garage site, which is adjacent to the Grand Theatre building. It would not overwhelm the block, as the adjacent McClure building is seven stories, and buildings across the street are four stories. It also would not require the demolition of a historic building.

2. The Farmers Market on Wilkinson Boulevard, which could be a three or five-story building. The state owns the property and leases it to the city.

3. A row of buildings on St. Clair between the present courthouse and West Main Street, which would probably be a five-story building, although three stories could fit.

4. The old Model Laundry property in the block running from Clinton Street to Mero Street and on St. Clair Street behind the Frankfort Convention Center to Lewis Alley.

Workers start moving back in old building (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2582201)
By Paul Glasser, State Journal, September 20, 2007

Renovations at the State Office Building at Mero Street are on time and under budget. State employees will begin moving in during the next several weeks.

The building was originally constructed in 1936 and expanded in 1964. It's capacity was increased to 800 employees, and housed the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in its later years. Renovations began in 2005 when the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet vacated the building to its new facility down the street, and it will house 1,200 upon reopening. A 400-space parking lot will be located nearby on a former scrap yard, gas station and freight yard.

The project was originally expected to cost $59.7 million, but came in $4.1 million under budget. Although construction costs increased, the final cost is $55.6 million. The building was gutted and only the original core and exterior walls were saved; many of the original art-deco elements were saved. The electrical, heating and cooling systems were replaced. The original mail chute system was retained, and employees on any floor can drop letters in a slot to a basement mailroom.

The Personnel Cabinet has relocated from a building on Fair Oaks Lane and will occupy the first three floors, while the Department of Revenue has nabbed the top eight floors. There is also a 200-seat auditorium and an employee canteen.

A dedication ceremony for the State Office Building is scheduled for mid-October.

State mulls options for renovation of capital Plaza tower
By Vince Tweddell, State Journal, September 16, 2007

Discussions will begin soon on what renovations are needed at the 35-year-old Capital Plaza tower.

The Commissioner for facilities and support services has requested $2.5 million in the next biennium for maintenance to take care of heating, electrical and concrete problems at the complex, and those repairs would act as a stopgap until the 2010-2012 budget cycle. A large-scale renovation is proposed for the tower and nearby complex at an estimated cost of $110 million. The renovation would entail a more flexible and efficent plan for office space, and would accommodate and consolidate agencies housed in different locations.

While the design of the building was functional when it was built, some are questioning whether it is appropriate for today. The tower and the area that surrounds it are expensive and difficult to maintain. Traveling under the plaza on Clinton Street is uninviting and restricts traffic flow.

Also at the meeting, there was a request of $4.5 million made to upgrade the campus of the Capitol and $4.265 million to design a Capitol annex addition and renovation. The addition and renovation is scheduled for the 2010-2012 biennium.

This is regarding the condemned mixed-use project that was once prime agricultural land.

Property causes problems in Versailles (http://www.kentucky.com/454/story/183480.html): Land once zoned for shopping center called blighted, then rezoned
By Greg Kocher, Lexington Herald-Leader, September 22, 2007

A saga continues in Versailles. A "blighted" property on U.S. Route 60 in Versailles was originally destined to become a mixed-use development but it never came to fruition. The land was recently rezoned, and now there is the possibility of litigation.

On September 4, the Versailles City Council voted 5-1 to rezone the 23-acre lot from commercial zoning for shopping centers to A-1 Agricultural. And on Tuesday (September 18), the council gave first reading to a rezoning ordinance with the apparent intent to force property owner Rubloff Versailles into doing something with the property and the neighboring blighted Versailles Center strip mall. A majority of the council members believes that Rubloff won't do anything with the land.

Rubloff has owned the property since 2001 after purchasing it for $3.5 million and had once planned to turn it and the adjacent Versailles Center into a model shopping center with a grocery store, movie theater, bowling alley, hotel, retail stores, offices and apartments. It would be considered a "new urbanism" development. The city approved a 2001 rezoning of the property from A-1 Agricultural to commercial under new design standards that were written with Rubloff's participation and support. Streets and sidewalks were laid out, and utilities were buried in anticipation, all at a cost of $2.5 million.

But the property has languished since 2002. Rubloff had planned for Winn-Dixie to be the lead tenant, but in April 2004, the company announced that it would sell or close 156 supermarkets, including all of its Kentucky stores. And in May 2005, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. And to make matters worse, a restriction in the deed prohibits a Wal-Mart, Sam's Club or any other store operated by Wal-Mart from locating on that site. The restriction was put in place by the request of K-Mart, which relocated from Versailles Center in the 1990s to a nearby shopping center. The restriction doesn't expire until 2018.

In 2006, the Versailles City Council designated the 23-acre lot and Versailles Center as blighted. The definition of blighted is "vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground in a predominantly built-up neighborhood." The tall weeds have become a dumping ground for old appliances, discarded tires and paint cans.

On September 4, 2007, the city council voted to downzone the property to agricultural, which went against the recommendation of the planning commission. The commission said in a 8-1 vote in June that the city had failed to produce evidence that the zone change was needed. The city council stated that in the 6 1/2 years that Rubloff has owned the property, he has "failed to move forward with developing a regional commerce center" and that it has "become a blighted eyesore."

An attorney who represents Rubloff told the planning commission in June that there was not a time limit in which Rubloff had to turn the property into a shopping center.

By rezoning the 23-acre property to agriculture, the city violated the city-county zoning ordinance, which sets a 30-acre minimum for agricultural tracts in Woodford County. There are also no prime soils left on the site as they were stripped away when the property was graded. It was also against the comprehensive plan, which doesn't recommend agriculture for the property.

The city sought the zoning because that was what it was used prior to Rubloff's purchase, and land east of the property is used strictly for farming purposes. The city, however, has no intention to purchase the property or condemn it.

Downsizing the property results in a reduction in property taxes received by the city and county. The city will lose $1,881 in annual revenue, while the county loses more than $26,800.

The Corner Store article posted above... more news :(

City to buy old store for parking (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2604261)
By Vince Tweddell, State-Journal, September 25, 2007

The old Noonan's grocery store will become a 39-space parking lot to ease the burden on the spaces lost due to the construction of the nearby Public Safety Building. The City Commission Monday approved 3-2 a $87,235 purchase of the W. Second Street building and its adjacent parking lot. The deal requires Bill Noonan to demolish the building.

The building is the last 19th century structure at Second and Shelby streets and is in a Renaissance Kentucky district that allows for grants for rehabilitation. The current owner is not interested in restoring the building, however, although there may be others who are willing to buy it.

The building has been vacant for years and was condemned by the city on July 10. The grocery store closed in January 1981, and was service-oriented and carried out-of-the-ordinary items. After its closure, the building was used as a campaign quarters for a brief period of time before becoming vacant.

King's Daughters adding two stories to four-story medical plaza building (http://www.herald-dispatch.com/homepage/x2054219181)
By David Malloy, The Herald-Dispatch, Sep 27, 2007

King's Daughters Medical Center will be adding two stories on the recently completed four-story Medical Plaza Building B at 617 23rd Street. The 40,000 sq. ft. addition will be used for medical office space and on-campus physical office space.

Medical Plaza Building B is designed to support ten stories.

Building at risk called 'exemplar'
By Charlie Pearl, State-Journal, September 26, 2007

Two downtown Frankfort buildings that could be demolished for a new Franklin County Judicial Center were named to a "2007 Positive Preservation in the Bluegrass List." The Bluegrass Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit group in Lexington, selected 25 properties around central Kentucky.

A building at 226-230 St. Clair Street was selected in the "mixed-use project" category, and The Capital City Museum at 325 Ann Street was selected in the "educational project" category.

The St. Clair property is a row of buildings between the present courthouse and West Main Street. It is on the Franklin County Project Development Board's top-four list of potential sites for a new $30 million, 102,000 sq. ft. judicial center. The buildings were recently restored starting in 2002 after a decade of neglect. The buildings date to the 1850s.

Preservation Kentucky Inc. of Hodgenville, will be working with the owners, along with The Bluegrass Trust, to save the buildings.

Much of the work on the St. Clair properties were done by the owners themselves -- Craig and Amy Potts of Potts and Potts LLC -- a company dedicated to the sole purpose of acquiring historic buildings in need of preservation. They have secured a matching facade grant through Downtown Frankfort Inc. and the Renaissance Program.

The Capital City Museum was donated by Frankfort businessman Rodney Ratliff; the structure was worth $600,000, and was once part of the historic Capital Hotel. The museum started out in one room, when it opened two years ago. Today, it is occupying three rooms, and five will be in use soon. Once $100,000 is raised for an elevator, the second floor will be used for exhibits and office space.

Freight Station: $95,000 offer turned down by owners (http://www.themoreheadnews.com/local/local_story_249191230.html)
By Kim Hamilton, The Morehead News, September 6, 2007

The Morehead Tourism Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to use the city's eminent domain authority to acquire the Freight Station building, if necessary. The Commission has approached the Barker family, who owns the building, with a price of $95,000, but the family has declined. The Commission is asking for $75,000 for the one-acre lot, located between U.S. Bank and S. Wilson Avenue.

The Freight Station was used when the Chesapeake and Ohio ran through the center of Morehead. The lines were taken out in the summer of 1985. It lies across the street from the Morehead Conference Center.

The commission would use the property for parking, and would be willing to relocate it if the Commission is willing. They are interested in moving it to Triplett Creek for use as a Rails to Trails trailhead.

Old Y reprieved, preservationist hopes to acquire it (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2673842)
By Vince Tweddell, State-Journal, October 9, 2007

City commissioners Monday night backed off on demolishing the former YMCA on Bridge Street.

John Gray, who has been in discussions to purchase the building from the owner, Louisville resident Bob Ehrler, hopes to own it by the end of October. He has requested a six- to nine-month grace period to get the rehabilitation started.

Gray is currently rehabilitating the St. Clair Street building that housed the Downtown Bar, which was burned in a March 4 arson. Gray has stated that the old YMCA is in better shape than the Downtown Bar when rehabilitation work began. He mentioned that there were three minor structural problems with the YMCA building, which includes the front wall settling, a patio slab that needs to be rebuilt, and a gym floor that needs to be reconstructed. But the building, he noted, was "built like Fort Knox."

Gray plans to turn the second and third floors into condominiums, and use the first floor for a restaurant and assembly area.

In early September, commissioners ordered the city to pursue demolition of the property because Ehrler hadn't made the city aware of any plans to rehab the property. But at the work session, they supported Gray and his plans and expressed hope that a use could be found for the property.

Providence Hill ready for condo phase (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_280233728.html): Prospective buyers get sneak peek
By Mike James, The Independent, October 7, 2007

Prospective buyers flocked to Prividence Hill on October 6 for a sneak peak of the proposed Bellefonte Bluffs development, and for a chance to drop down a deposit.

Bellefonte Bluffs is an eight-story luxury condominum tower with 47 one- to three-bedroom condos along with a lounge, community room, fitness and spa facilities, and a parking garage. The units will range from $300,000 to $500,000 and will overlook downtown Ashland and the Ohio River. The condos are the second phase of a $30 million residential and retail development by former Ashlander Fred Burns (now of Lexington). The first phase included 214 upscale-apartments that are nearing completion, and six of the nine buildings are fully occupied.

The final phase, a 60,000 to 90,000-square-foot upscale retail development, hasn’t not yet begun.

The condos are being marketed as an upscale gated community.

Burns bought the 55-acre property in 2004 for $700,000 from local resident Paul Sanders.

Board looks to approve residential city parking (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_281234542.html): Effort is to motivate more to live in downtown.
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, October 8, 2007

The city of Ashland is looking to implement a downtown residential parking ordinance in an effort to motivate more people to live in downtown Ashland. It comes at the request of one downtown resident and several investors interested in developing multi-million dollar mixed-use projects in the downtown. The Board of City Commissioners approved the first reading of an ordinance last Thursday (October 4), but a work session Monday (October 8) was used to discuss the proposal prior to holding a second reading.

Under the proposed ordinance, the city would implement a policy with a 1:1 ratio of parking passes to residential units for residential housing in the central business district. The CBD is defined from Greenup to Carter avenue, and from 13th to 18th streets. Residents living within the CBD would be eligible to buy a parking placard from the city for $100 annually, which would allow them to park on any side street crossing the downtown -- excluding Winchester Avenue. They would not have to move their vehicle every two hours or pay parking meter fees.

The permits would only be purchasable if their vehicle is registered to a downtown address, and would be required to have the unit inspected by Ashland's code enforcement office.

According to Ashland Economic Development Director Chris Pullem, downtown living is a critical component to downtown revitalization. Cities across the nation are encouraging downtown living as a way to facilitate urban renewal and to increase density. Parking is essential to these downtown projects, especially those that live on the upper floors of businesses. Many lending agencies, for example, require at least a 1:1 ratio of housing units to parking spaces in order to be competitive to developers.

A few downtown merchants oppose the move, such as C.J. Maggie's at the corner of Winchester Avenue and 15th Street. The restaurant encouraged commissioners to look into alternative solutions, and said that customers already complain of a lack of packing.

Some downtown revitalization projects include the former Second National Bank (e.g. Steckler's Building), which would be redeveloped into first-floor businesses and upper-floor loft apartments. As a result, commissioners requested a cost analysis of converting 15th Street to diagonal parking.

Courthouse on site of garage opposed (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2731861)
By Charlie Pearl, State-Journal [Frankfort], October 21, 2007

Downtown Frankfort Executive Director Harry Carver stated that the closed St. Clair Street parking structure is a bad site for the Franklin County Judical Center. The parking garage is needed, according to Carver, and that demolishing it for a $30 million, 102,000 sq. ft. judicial center "would only serve to eliminate economic development opportunities in the downtown area."

The Franklin County Judicial Center's Project Development Board, at its meeting monthly meeting in September, narrowed the potential sites for the new judicial center to four. The most recent was the St. Clair parking structure, closed recently due to public safety. structural and liability reasons. The cost to repair the deteriorating structure would range from $589,000 to $2.57 million, whereas demolishing it would cost anywhere from $290,000 to $2 million.

Rick Kremer, the judicial center architect with Louis and Henry Group of Louisville, said that a five-story judicial center could fit on the parking garage site, which is adjacent to the Grand Theatre building. It would not overwhelm the block, since the nearby McClure building, on the corner of St. Clair and West Main, is seven stories, and buildings across the street in the St. Clair block are four stories. It would also not require the demolition of a historic building.

The McClure building is slated for renovations, as a developer has proposed plans for a $3 million mixed-use development containing first floor commercial business, professional offices on the middle floors and apartments on the upper floors. It would require 100 parking spaces, and Carver has stated that is the reason the St. Clair street garage should stay.

The St. Clair parking garage was constructed after a large fire that destroyed two historic buildings.

"We've sacrificed enough in preservation," Walters said. "When you start throwing in all the combination of other buildings and other urban renewal projects we've had, we've got very little of the historic fabric that the city once had. Unfortunately, every building becomes precious. If we lose three, or four or five (historic) buildings to this large-scale judicial center building, I think we're going to just continue to erode away and eventually lose so much of the character and significance of the historic district."

-Scot Walters, an architect, downtown resident and property owner and preservationist.

Grand Theatre wins approval of new sign on West Main Street (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2727011)
By Charlie Pearl, State Journal [Frankfort], October 19, 2007

The Grand Theatre on 310 W. Main Street in downtown Frankfort will reopen in spring 2009 -- sporting a large illuminated sign similar to the historic one on the former theater. The multicolored, 188 sq. ft. sign will have four lockable panels to market coming attractions at the Grand, which will become a performing and visual arts center.

The Frankfort/Franklin County Planning Commission approved a waiver to the central business district sign regulations Thursday to allow internal illumination of the sign, but included some conditions including --
1. All lighting must be turned off at the beginning of the last showing or event, or at 1 AM, whichever occurs first. Lighting must be turned off by 10 PM on evenings when no shows or events are scheduled.
2. The sign should not project from the exterior wall by more than three inches for pedestrian safety. The owners of the building requested six inches, as a structural steel beam was added in the 1960s when a brick wall was removed for a glass front, which would support the sign. The commission, after a discussion, agreed to a condition where the lower part of the sign, including the four panels, would be recessed into the brick wall so it wouldn't project out and be a hazard to pedestrians, to which the owner said that it could be done.

(The future of downtown) "is in jeopardy, is based on the cultural, arts and entertainment anchors, specialty shops, and the existing judicial and legal community presence. Signage as proposed for the Grand Theatre will be a critical element in bringing life to the downtown and encouraging those who are here to stay or others to visit."

- Bill Cull, president of Save the Grand Theatre Inc.

In April 2006, the planning commission granted a waiver for an illuminated Grand Theatre marquee sign on St. Clair Street with some conditions.

Builder chosen for new Ashland police station (http://www.herald-dispatch.com/homepage/x2054223124)
Herald-Dispatch [Huntington], October 19, 2007

Brandstetter Carroll Inc., a Lexington architectural firm, was selected Thursday to build a planned $4.6 million police station at 17th Street and Greenup Avenue across the street from the Ashland City Building. The bid for the new station could go out in late spring or early summer 2008, and the police could move out of the city building and across the street in early 2009. The lot the station is proposed on is currently a surface parking lot in the 1600 block of Greenup Avenue. The city already owns the 100- by 175-foot lot, and purchased it about three years ago for $250,000.

The new building would be one or two stories and have parking for cars and police cruisers.

The firm was chosen as it had designed police stations in the past.

Fletcher's chief of staff presents check for Cox building restoration (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2007/10/23/local_news/1958cox.txt)
By Misty Maynard, The Ledger Independent [Maysville], October 24, 2007

Stan Cave, chief of staff for Governor Ernie Fletcher, presented a check to the city for $150,000 for restoration efforts of the Cox Building, located at Market and Third streets.

The building was constructed in 1886 by members of the Masonic Lodge, the Knights Templar, has five floors and is nearly 50,000 square feet. It was last used by the Masons in 1971, and has since been used in a variety of ways, mainly with the old Kilgus Pharmacy, which occupied the corner of the building. Most recently, it has housed low-income apartments and the Maysville Mission, although all but one tenant has left the structure.

The city of Maysville purchased the building in December for $200,000 from Wayne and Diane Johnson and intends to restore the building for use possibly as a business incubator and provide additional space for conferences. The total cost of renovation is estimated to be around $3.2 million.

The grant funds came through the Renaissance on Main program administered by the Governor's Office for Local Development. The city was eligible for the funds as it has been labeled a Renaissance community.

The funds will be used for facade work and roofing, among other things.

"Preserving and restoring a jewel like the Cox building is important for Maysville and will bring visitors and businesses alike. Maysville's waterfront downtown has such a rich history, and the restoration to the building will help it survive and be a vibrant part of the future. But the program has done more than just freshen up buildings. It has helped to create stronger economies in our cities and preserved our rich history."
- Governor Ernie Fletcher

Old laundry is now top site for courthouse (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2743872)
By Charlie Pearl, State-Journal [Frankfort], October 23, 2007

The old Model Laundry property in the block behind the Frankfort Convention Center is now the top site for the new Franklin County Judicial Center. After a lengthy closed session on October 22, the Project Development Board voted unanimously to make the old facility its top priority. The Farmers Market site on Wilkinson Boulevard by the Kentucky River was ranked second.

In last month's meeting, the board narrowed potential sites for the new judicial center to four. The other two were the St. Clair parking garage, which the city closed recently due to public safety and liability reasons; and a row of historic buildings on St. Clair between the present courthouse and West Main Street.

The next step in obtaining a site is to solicit proposals for an independent appraisal of the old Model Laundry site that is in the block encompassed by Clinton, Mero and St. Clair streets and Lewis Alley. There are about six property owners in the block of the Model Laundry site.

The board's budget for property acquisition is $1.6 million. The total budget for the 102,000 square-foot facility is $30 million.

A building on the Model Laundry site could be three or four stories. One four-story scheme showed the public lobby facing St. Clair Street with the circuit clerk's office on the first floor, district court on the second floor, family court on the third floor and circuit court on the fourth; and 81 parking spaces in the back and sides of the building.

Ashland riverfront project hits snag (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_316230948.html)
Barge association, city clash over plans
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, November 12, 2007

ASHLAND — City officials are blaming a local waterways association for delaying a vital U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit needed to begin construction on Ashland’s riverfront project.

According to Mayor Steve Gilmore, the city applied for the required permit with the Huntington District of the corps more than 14 months ago. He said the city has complied with all the requirements and requests of the corps but still has not been approved.

“It’s really pushing a rope,” he said of the permitting process. “There are so many hoops to go through and we’ve done them all.”

Gilmore said he feels the Huntington District Waterways Association, which has expressed concerns about plans to reclaim 110 feet of land into the Ohio River and construct a boat dock, is the major cause of the delay. He said the city feels those concerns, voiced during and after the public comment period, have been adequately addressed.

He said the association’s “major position” in opposing the plans was that “they don’t want any additional pleasure boats on the river.”

(In effect, they do not want _any_ business relocating from Huntington to Ashland. It has nothing to do with safety, since pleasure boats from Ashland and Ironton are already on the river.)

The city maintains the reclamation of the river is necessary to grade the park to a usable slope and that the boat ramp is necessary to foster the city’s economic development by making the riverfront a destination for tourists.

Huntington District Waterways Association President David Smith said the city has mischaracterized its concerns. The association, which represents about 40 companies with operations in the area, is primarily concerned about safety, Smith said.

“We are not opposed to the project. We’re for the riverfront development. Our concerns are how far they want to come out into the river ... We have some concerns with that along several areas,” he said.

Among those concerns is navigational safety for the passing tow boats and the hydraulic effect the so-called river wall could create during high flows. Smith said the association also expressed concerns about pleasure boaters, but those too are prompted by safety.

Association members would like to see a provision in the permit requiring some type of police presence on the river during special events to handle the presence of pleasure craft, Smith said. “There is plenty of room for everybody... Even though it is a waterway where folks can have a good time, it is also an avenue of commerce,” Smith said. “We need to have a provision for recreation and commerce. It has to be properly managed.

“We are very much in favor of the development with some possible modifications or some testing to see what would happen as far as the hydraulic effect.”

Smith said the association approached the city when it announced it would be developing the riverfront and requested to be a part of the planning process “so we wouldn’t have a problem like this.”

Since then, he said the association only met with city officials twice. Once was the initial meeting where it expressed hope to be included and another meeting more than two years ago when the city first published its concept design. At that meeting, he said, the association expressed the same concerns it has today.

“We have heard nothing further from the city,” he said. “We’re happy to sit down with them at any time and talk about it.”

Smith said representatives of the association also met with the corps on Oct. 10 to discuss the project and were under the impression Ashland officials would be attending the meeting.

No city officials were present at that meeting, he said.

Gilmore said he and City Manager Steve Corbitt were aware of the meeting but could not attend because of prior engagements. Both were in Frankfort to attend the annual Kentucky League of Cities convention.

On Oct. 25, Gilmore sent a formal letter to the corps requesting a status report on the permit application and any additional requirements that are outstanding. He copied the letter to Sen. Mitch McConnell, who was instrumental in securing a $10.2 million federal transportation earmark for the Ashland project.

Gilmore added he is concerned the continued delay may have serious ramifications, including missing the next federal funding cycle. The current funding is expected to cover only about a third of the cost to complete the riverfront park, as it is designed now.

“We’re a river town and our riverfront looks like it did when I was a child and we’ve never capitalized on it,” Gilmore said. “It’s getting so frustrating for me as the mayor. It’s been our No. 1 priority for me to get off the board. We’re just very concerned we’re being held up on this. I think the City of Ashland has done their due diligence. We are where we ought to be; it should be approved by now. At this point, I feel like we’re looking for some fairness.”

Corbitt said Monday that he had been notified by the corps on Friday it had received Gilmore’s request in addition to a correspondence from McConnell about the Ashland project. Corbitt said the corps informed him that it is obligated to reply to McConnell by Nov. 20.

Robert Steurer, a spokesman for McConnell, confirmed the letter had been sent to the corps. “Senator McConnell is committed to the project and ensuring all the problems are resolved,” he added.

The Huntington District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did not respond to calls for comment Monday.

Corbitt also reiterated the mayor’s position Monday and expressed his hopes a permit would be issued soon and according to Ashland’s original requests.

He added the city is continuing to spend money supplying the corps with information it has requested and has had no indications from the corps that it will be asked to revisit its plans.

In the event the city is required to change its design, it will cost considerable “time and money,” Corbitt said. “If we felt the changes were small enough, they would not have a big effect, we would proceed. If they pulled the guts out, then I don’t know what we’ll do.”

Officials hope to break ground on Phase 1 of the project in the early spring or summer of 2008.

I did not see this coming at all!

Massive land project no longer a secret (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2007/11/14/local_news/1889wyldwood.txt)
By Misty Maynard, The Ledger Independent, November 13, 2007

After weeks of rumors and speculation, plans for several thousands of acres acquired by Prodenken Investments LLC, and consequently WyldWood Development Group, have finally been shared with the public.

During an invitation-only presentation Tuesday afternoon to local officials at the French Quarter Inn, members of the WyldWood Development team shared the plans for what was previously termed a "residential development project" that will cost several hundreds of millions of dollars to build over the next eight to nine years.

The residential development project was the brainchild of Mason County native Jim Barry who, according to information released in September, wanted to created something of lasting value in his hometown area. His idea was for an upscale residential community.

Barry established a partnership with retired dentist Thomas VanGalder from Atlanta, Ga., who together formed Prodenken Investments LLC. They began acquiring land in various areas in Mason County through real estate broker Bill Kachler.

When WyldWood became involved, the idea grew exponentially.

According to information provided at the presentation, WyldWood as a concept and brand was started by Steven L. Presson in 1999. However, Presson has been involved in development projects for significantly longer, more than 30 years.

The WyldWood Development Group consists of land architects, civil engineers, architects, construction managers, health and fitness specialists, financing consultants and professional service groups to handle legal and accounting needs.

The WyldWood team has been responsible for similar projects in other locations around the country, and according to Presson, Maysville was an ideal location with its natural beauty and heritage.

"We really look for this type of environment," said Presson during the presentation, who also emphasized the project will be carefully themed to complement the community.

The plans announced Tuesday include four locations for the development, two in the county, one in downtown Maysville and one along the Ohio River.

The properties include more than 2,000 acres for a hunting preserve with lodge and cabins, a 76-acre marina and RV park on the Ohio River, nearly 2,700 acres for a Hilltop Village property with a host of features, and the long-closed White Manor Hotel in downtown which will be restored to as close to its original condition as possible.

In addition to private residences, there will be retail shops, restaurants, hotels, conference and convention facilities, spas, clubs and several entertainment offerings. Among those entertainment offerings are theaters, a tennis center, golf course, equestrian areas and riding trails, as well as a wildlife preserve, airpark, and many other amenities.

Presson said the project is family-oriented and will provide a number of learning opportunities from professional instruction on the golf course, to the life of a grape from the vineyard to the winery.

As part of the "WyldWood community," even those in private homes on the property will be able to have room service and maid service.

"The whole idea is no matter where you are in WyldWood ... you get the same service," said Presson.

The WyldWood development would be marketed worldwide, though the features of the WyldWood development are not limited to residents of the gated community or those staying in hotels, but would be available to anyone in the community.

Plans do not include casinos, as some have speculated, according to Presson, who said casino gambling will become a consideration if legalized in Kentucky simply because of WyldWood's competitors. However, Presson said if casino gambling is legalized it could pose a problem for the WyldWood team, simply because no space has been reserved for that consideration.

Presson said the financing for the project, estimated to cost in the realm of $500 million, is through private investors and is in place.

Closing on the properties involved are set for late January, and groundbreaking, Presson said, is tentatively slated for the following summer. However, some things will need to be addressed, including zoning changes since much of the area purchased is zoned agricultural. Also, Presson said conversations with groups like the Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Aviation Administration have been initiated, but more discussion will take place.

Completion of the project will take a number of years, Presson said.

"We're in it for the long haul," he said.

Once completed, Presson said the development should provide about 510 full time jobs and 140 part-time positions. Those jobs do not include construction jobs.

Presson said certain retailers are typically brought in with a WyldWood development since there are established relationships. Those could include Starbucks, Liberty Books, potentially a Bass Pro Shop or Black Bear Outfitter, and others.

Presson said the market is analyzed, and he is confident 50 to 60 percent of the retail space can be filled by the development, with others joining the project later.

Mason County Judge-Executive James "Buddy" Gallenstein said the idea for the development is big, and could attract a lot of people.

When asked if he thought there was a market in Mason County for this type of development, Gallenstein said he would never have thought Disney World would have worked in Florida.

"But it does," he said. "Somebody had a vision."

While the concept is different, it was apparent the WyldWood team had analyzed the market. Gallenstein said there will be meetings in the future to determine how to bring the grand scale of the project to the local level.

Presson himself said the presentation itself is "not a groundbreaking," but the unveiling of a plan, which could change. He said he welcomed community input, because he wants the project to be something the community can support, and which will benefit the community and the area.

Whitley Justice Center may replace City Hall (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_319090030.html)
By Fred Petke, The Times Tribune [London], November 15, 2007

The proposed Whitley County Justice Center could replace Williamsburg City Hall.

It could replace the old county jail. It could take the place of a former gas station. It could even be built on an empty lot a short distance from downtown Williamsburg.

It may be six months before anyone knows where the justice center will be built, all with funds from the state Administrative Office of the Courts. At this point, it’s good to have choices, Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White, Jr. said.

“We had a lot of diverse options,” White said after Wednesday’s meeting. “You’re excited at that many people offering their property.”

During the hour-long meeting, eight people offered property including White offering the old jail property and Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison discussing the possibility of tearing down or moving city hall, fire department and maintenance garage.

White hopes the project committee can choose a piece of land within the next six months. From that point, AOC officials said it would likely take two years to complete the justice center, estimated at 57,000 square feet and $19 million. When completed, the center will house courtrooms for district court and circuit court along with the circuit clerk’s office. The upper floor of the courthouse would then be available for county offices and employees.

For the city of Williamsburg, the biggest issue would be finding a place to go.

“City Hall needs to be downtown and in a central place,” Harrison said. “The problem is to move... but those are some of the obstacles we have talked about.”

Harrison said there is the possibility of moving the 70-year-old building to another location or building a replica. The city’s departments, though, may be split up if City Hall is moved to another location. Space, Harrison said, would be a key factor.

A separate group offered the parking lot and vacant bank drive-through next to City Hall as well. Coupled with the city-owned property, it could be a focal point entering downtown Williamsburg.

“I think that would be a perfect location,” said attorney Paul Croley, who represented property owners Mike and Karen Smith. “We’re getting an unprecedented amount of money for downtown. We desperately need a revitalization downtown. This property should be the cornerstone of downtown.”

The option involving the old jail could involve demolishing the facility, which has been closed for a couple years. White acknowledged the old jail would be difficult to renovate into other uses.

Other properties included sites along North 2nd and North 3rd Streets, South 2nd Street and one along Kentucky 92 near Interstate 75.

Optimism surrounds Wyldwood proposal (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2007/11/14/local_news/1888wyldwood.txt)
By Marla Toncray, The Ledger Independent, November 14, 2007

With the announcement of the proposed Wyldwood of Kentucky Resort Community in Mason County Tuesday, the local community has been buzzing with speculation about what impact such a plan would have on the Buffalo Trace region.

The proposed properties include more than 2,000 acres for a hunting preserve with lodge and cabins along Clarks Run Road, a 76-acre marina and RV park on the Ohio River, nearly 2,700 acres for a Hilltop Village property with a host of features located off Stonelick Road and Kentucky 9, and the long-closed White Manor Hotel in downtown, which will be restored to as close to its original condition as possible.

The estimated cost of the project is more than $500 million dollars, according to Steven L. Presson, president and CEO of Coast Resource Development, Inc. and principal with the Wyldwood Development Group.

In addition to private residences, there will be retail shops, restaurants, hotels, conference and convention facilities, spas, clubs and several entertainment offerings. Among those entertainment offerings are theaters, a tennis center, golf course, equestrian areas and riding trails, as well as a wildlife preserve, airpark, and many other amenities.

Presson said during his presentation the amenities of the hilltop village such as golf, tennis and the equestrian center, as well as the marina and hunting preserve are open to the public, because without community support and participation of local residents, the concept wouldn't work.

Joe Gantley, owner of AA Outfitters on Kentucky 9 said he has been hearing about the purchase of properties in the Stonelick Road area of eastern Mason County for several months and believes the proposed community would be a boom to his business.

"I think it would probably help me. It would bring more traffic out this way," said Gantley, whose store specializes in Carhart and Redwing apparel.

Gantley moved his business from downtown Maysville about five years ago and has been one of just two retail stores in the area, which Gantley said he believes is the growth area of Mason County.

Gantley said the concept of the planned community is "hard to imagine", but "if it goes through, it will be the biggest thing to happen around here."

"I can't see where it wouldn't be beneficial to about anybody," Gantley said.

Maysville City Manager Ray Young echoed Gantley's sentiments, saying that some people he has talked with since Tuesday's announcement have said "why not" to the idea that Maysville should be the home to such an ambitious project.

"They're optimistic and they're curios," Young said. "I think everyone's curious."

Young said because the properties, except for the White Manor Hotel and the location of the marina, are outside the city limits, the project lies under the guidance of Mason County government, but the city is willing to cooperate with the development group.

In particular, Young said he would expect cooperation between the Maysville Utility Commission and the development group for infrastructure support for water and sewer lines. The commission would also be able to sell water to the hilltop village and the hunting preserve if needed.

"The project is outside the city limits, but we're committed to work with them. We're optimistic," said Young.

Businessman Jim Trapp, owner of Trapp and Wilson Furniture which has been in downtown Maysville since 1983, was also optimistic about the project.

"I think it's wonderful...a project of this magnitude for Maysville, it's amazing," Trapp said.

He also said plans to renovate and restore the White Manor Hotel as office space and a hotel is a positive step for the downtown business district. Trapp said the investment by the development group would only spur economic growth and would be "good for the community as a whole."

Trapp and Gantley were joined in their sentiments about the benefits to the local economy by Jeff Cracraft, vice president of Standard Tobacco Company, which owns Limestone Cable, Standard Supply Company and Central Supply Company.

Cracraft said he hopes the project goes through because the influx of additional homes means additional business not only for the cable and internet business, but also for building materials and home fixtures, appliances and supplies.

"I think it would be good for the county overall," said Cracraft.

Cracraft also said he sees the future investment by Wyldwood Development as boom to the local economy because other development groups and retail businesses would look more closely at Mason County and the surrounding area as a place to establish their own business venture or retail location.

"That kind of investment makes us look good ... it gives us more to offer," Cracraft said.

Presson answers the question: 'Why Maysville?' (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2007/11/16/local_news/1881wyldwood.txt)
By Marla Toncray, The Ledger Independent, November 15, 2007

Steven L. Presson, president and CEO of Coast Resource Development, Inc. and principal with Wyldwood Development Group, knows the vision of a Wyldwood Resort Community in Maysville needs more than out-of-state visitors and home buyers to make the plan a reality.

Presson also understands local residents in Mason County and the surrounding area are asking the question "Why Maysville?" for a multi-million dollar resort community that will offer amenities and homes unlike anything seen in the area before.

During an interview Wednesday, Presson addressed those questions and discussed his company's goals of the Wyldwood brand name they are creating.

Presson said one of the main reasons Maysville is ideal for a resort community is because there aren't established perceptions of what the environment is in northern Kentucky. Presson said unlike better known urban locations like New York City, Atlanta, and a host of other large cities, issues of high crime rates, traffic problems and transportation don't plague the area, which is a deterrent for people looking for a vacation or retirement home, or a family vacation.

"We don't have to overcome those problems," said Presson.

Presson said the Wyldwood Development Group team is also excited about the project because they are "able to create something from the ground up."

Check out the Wyldwood slideshow or see full-resolution maps by clicking "Photo Galleries" in the menu to the right of this article.
The concept of the resort community presented at the French Quarter Inn on Tuesday is just that; a concept of what Wyldwood Development would like to build, said Presson.

Initial plans of the four property assemblages call for a 2,040-acre hunting preserve with lodge and cabins along Clarks Run Road, a 76-acre marina and RV park on the Ohio River, 2,694 acres for a Hilltop Village property located off Stonelick Road and Kentucky 9, and the long-closed White Manor Hotel in downtown, which will be restored to as close to its original condition as possible.

In addition to private residences, there will be retail shops, restaurants, hotels, conference and convention facilities, spas, clubs and several entertainment offerings. Among those entertainment offerings are theaters, a tennis center, golf course, equestrian areas and riding trails, as well as a wildlife preserve, airpark and many other amenities.

The estimated cost of the project is $520 million.

Presson, who spent Wednesday meeting with local government officials and members of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, said there is always the possibility not all of the concepts will be implemented or they might be modified from their original plan, but that would be determined as the project progresses through the proper channels as his team learns what is a viable option and what is not.

Presson also acknowledged maintaining green space is as important to the project as building quality amenities, services and residences. Green space projects for the Hilltop Village include construction of a 20-acre lake, a golf course, wildlife exhibition area and an equestrian center. The plan for the equestrian center calls for both indoor and outdoor show rings, a riding academy, and a 9-mile perimeter trail loop surrounding the Hilltop Village.

In addition, more than 1,100 acres have been set aside on the site as open space for trails that will connect the different areas of the property.

Presson also said natural materials such as Tennessee blue stone will be used on the exterior of the buildings, which he described as no high-rises, low impact houses, or multi-story houses on cliffsides, that will blend with nature instead of interrupting the natural feel of the landscape.

Connecting with local residents and making them feel welcome at the properties is also a goal of Presson's.

"It will not succeed if I'm not able to convince local people to use our facilities," said Presson. "I hope they feel they're more than welcome."

All of the entertainment features of the resort community are open to the public and Presson said he hopes local residents will take advantage of the proposed three-lagoon pool, tennis and golf facilities, spa services and even consider the hotel for weddings and special occasions.

In addition to individual residents, Presson said he hopes local school districts, colleges and universities will consider hosting district or regional competitions and tournaments at the golf course, tennis center and equestrian center.

Presson said Lee Martin, a member of the Wyldwood Development team, is related to the head coach of Morehead State University's women's golf team and she has already expressed interest in using the Wyldwood golf course as a practice venue for her team.

"The activity is the driver of the project ... not the million dollar homes," Presson said.

Of the four projects, Presson said work will commence first on the White Manor Hotel and what he called the amenity base of the Hilltop Village.

Presson referred to the White Manor project as the "easiest to get started on" and expects to have the first floor operational as office space for the Wyldwood Development Group team within seven to eight months.

Plans for the building include restoration of the second floor as the hotel lobby and the upper floors will be taken back to hotel rooms.

Presson said work on the golf course, hotel, tennis center and equestrian center is targeted to begin by late summer 2008 and during the first three years of construction, these will be the things people in the community can see, feel and touch.

"My goal is to be on site doing infrastructure work by the end of summer 2008 ... certainly by the end of 2008," said Presson.

According to Presson, the hunting preserve will take roughly 18 months to complete.

With an estimated time frame of seven to nine years to complete, Presson said that timeline applies to the total absorption of the project as it relates to completion of the activity base first and the construction and sale of residential properties second.

"We're in it for the long haul, not to build, sell and leave it. We're building a living, breathing thing," said Presson.

Paducah follows Berea's footsteps (http://www.kentucky.com/454/story/234165.html)
Emphasis on the arts raises city's profile
By Karla Ward, Herald-Leader, November 18, 2007

Berea, which has long touted itself as the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky, is no longer the only place in the state where visitors can see working artists in their studios and sample the culture of a city devoted to promoting the arts.

Paducah, which began recruiting artists throughout the country several years ago, has earned a national reputation for its Lowertown Fine Arts District.

"They're two examples of the wealth of artists in the state of Kentucky," said Victoria Faoro, executive director of the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea and former executive director of the Museum of the American Quilter's Society in Paducah.

Although it has become increasingly difficult for communities to stand out, she said both Paducah and Berea have done it by providing "a really authentic experience" where customers can buy pieces they'd find nowhere else.

Still, despite the similarities, there are plenty of differences between the two cities.

"They're not exactly the same kind of place," said artisan Ken Gastineau, who relocated to Berea from Santa Fe, N.M., 20 years ago.

Berea is focused on Appalachian crafts and artisan-made pieces; Paducah has centered its attention on fine art.

While Berea has a more- than-100-year history in the arts and crafts, Paducah, Gastineau said, is "just getting started."

"They're definitely on the right track," said Belle Jackson, Berea's executive director of tourism. "We built the track."

But Paducah also has several tourism draws that Berea lacks.

"Paducah has the quilt museum and that brings millions of people to their town. They're on a river," said Greg Powell, president of the Berea Chamber of Commerce. "I guess they have one up on us in that regard."

Relocating the artists

Paducah is also a larger city than Berea with a unique plan for creating a vibrant arts community.

Beginning in 2000, Paducah's city government began a program out of its planning office through which it bought up properties from willing sellers in the city's oldest neighborhood, which had fallen into disrepair, and began recruiting artists from throughout the country to buy them.

"They would be able to live cheaply here" while continuing to sell their work through outside dealers, said Ben Peterson, a city planner. "They don't have to be in the big city to create their art."

So far, the Artist Relocation Program has attracted about 60 artists and about 30 galleries, restaurants and retail shops.

The city pays up to $2,500 in architectural or other professional fees associated with the renovations artists make to the historic homes. Paducah Bank and Trust Co. offers a 100 percent financing package that allows artists to borrow up to 300 percent of the value of their property to convert the space into a home and gallery or studio.

Property values in Lowertown have tripled since the program began, Peterson said, and the city is now shifting its efforts to market the area to visitors.

Over the past several years, Paducah's tourism department has spent much more money getting the city's name out to potential visitors than Berea has.

Rosemarie Steele, marketing director for the Paducah Visitors Bureau, expects to spend about $300,000 this year in advertising. That's up from a budget of $85,000 to $90,000 four or five years ago.

Much of the money is targeted to three areas: St. Louis, Nashville and Chicago.

Paducah recently cooperated with Lexington to put together a campaign targeted at affluent Chicago residents with the theme "Unbridled Culture."

As a result of the efforts, Steele said tourism's economic impact on the Paducah community has risen significantly, from just $124.9 million in 2000 to $275.6 million last year.

"We had a cultural rebirth here," Steele said. "Our destination changed. We knew we had to position ourself as a cultural destination."

A wind at their backs

A small renaissance may be about to begin in Berea, as well.

"It's time to reinvigorate what we're doing," said Gastineau, who owns Gastineau Studio in Berea. "You have to reassess and recharge it."

Jackson, the tourism director, agrees.

"We kind of slowed down, sat on our laurels," she said. "People have caught up with us."

It's not just Paducah.

Lexington, Midway, Frankfort and other towns have tapped into the tourism value of craft shops, galleries and arts and crafts fairs. All the state parks now have gift shops selling items made in Kentucky.

"There's an amazing amount of competition out there," Jackson said. "It's a challenge for me. You have to reinvent yourself. It's a tweaking. It's a showcasing."

That showcasing will probably be coming soon, now that the tourism commission has plans to begin working with a full-service advertising agency.

In the spring, the city council enacted a 3 percent restaurant tax that will boost the revenue of the city's tourism department significantly, allowing the advertising company to be hired. Jackson said she now anticipates having a budget of $800,000 a year, about $250,000 of which will go to advertising.

"My entire advertising budget last year was $60,000," she said.

Berea Mayor Steve Connelley said that boost in advertising is especially important now that Churchill Weavers is gone. The company's publicity had long provided a boost to other Berea businesses.

Talent search is on

Jackson and Connelley both said the city also needs more working artists.

While Berea's 100 artists and craftspeople still outnumber those in Paducah, Jackson mentioned that some of them are thinking about retirement.

"The push we'll make now is more in the fine arts," she said.

To compete with the proliferation of fairs and festivals, Connelly thinks Berea needs to offer more workshops, possibly through a crafts school.

"People want to learn," he said. "They want to participate. They want to leave with a skill."

He said that would also boost overnight stays, another goal for the town.

Berea officials paid visits to Paducah over the summer during trips organized by the Chamber of Commerce and the Southern & Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association.

"It is impressive," said David Rowlette, executive director of the Berea Chamber of Commerce. "They're doing a lot of the right things."

The Bereans picked up several ideas that they might replicate.

They've begun holding roundtable discussions for government, tourism and related groups to share information and ideas.

They're considering starting an "ambassadors" program similar to Paducah's, in which red-coated volunteers act as tour guides and welcome visitors to the town.

"Everything goes through a transition," said Powell. "We just have to be aware of that ... and remarket."

Cox Building restoration gets big boost (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2007/11/20/local_news/1871cox.txt)
By Marla Toncray, Ledger Independent, November 19, 2007

At a special meeting Monday, Maysville City Commissioners approved a resolution accepting $150,000 in 2007-2008 Renaissance on Main funds for restoration and renovation efforts on the Cox Building located at the intersection of Market and Third streets in downtown.

Passage of the resolution by the city is the final step of accepting the grant money which was presented to the city on Oct. 23 by Stan Cave, chief of staff for Gov. Ernie Fletcher.

The grant funds came through the Renaissance on Main program administered by the Governor's Office for Local Development, according to Duff Giffen, tourism director. Giffen said at the time of Cave's visit if Maysville had not been a Renaissance community, it would not have been eligible for the funds.

The commission took the first steps to secure the grant funds in January, 2007, when they approved a resolution to make application for the funds from the state. The city of Maysville purchased the building in 2006 for $200,000.

Built in 1886, the structure has five floors and is nearly 50,000 square feet, according to information previously provided. It was built by the Masonic Lodge, the Knights Templar, but is largely identified with the Kilgus Pharmacy which used to be located there.

Maysville City Manager Ray Young said the money will be used for roof repairs and gutter repairs first, with tuckpointing work on the brick facade a second priority.

Young said he expects work to begin around January or February, 2008, and in the meantime, the city continues to work with other state and federal offices, including that of Sen. Mitch McConnell to secure additional funding for the project.

Origanl St. Camillus Academy set for demolition (http://www.corbinnewsjournal.com/index.php?fn=stories&front=Array&detail=1195834635)
By: Trent Knuckles, Corbin News Journal, November 23, 2007

One of Corbin's oldest standing structures will likely be demolished sometime next year unless a northern Kentucky Catholic organization decides against the plan.

The original Saint Camillus Academy school building, constructed in 1914, is slated to be torn down in 2008- a victim of modern demands and the high cost of remodeling.

"Yes, it is probably true it will be demolished," said Sister Juanita Nadicksbernd, principal at St. Camillus Academy. The private Catholic school educates about 195 local children from preschool to grade eight.

"It has original plumbing and the original electrical system ... when you are talking about electricity, it just doesn't meet the demands of today's technology," she said. "It doesn't meet health and fire codes. It just doesn't really meet our needs, and for us to remodel it would cost more than building something new."

The four-story structure was used until 2003, but has been vacant since. A new residence for the school's four sisters was constructed in that year. A capital campaign by the school's Board of Directors led to construction of a new four-classroom wing of the school that also has a new cafeteria. Nadicksbernd said at that time, architects and engineers told board members that remodeling the original school building would be too costly - far outstripping the cost of new construction. The building can't be significantly changed on the inside because all the inner walls are weight bearing.

"They said if we remodeled it, we wouldn't be satisfied with it when it was finished," she said.

The building was used exclusively by the school until 1973 when a new school building was constructed. It was vacated for good in 2003.

Bill Crook, a 1959 graduate of Saint Camillus Academy, said his time spent in the old school brings back fond memories.

"There's a lot of people going to be upset about it if it's torn down. It means something special to everyone who went to school there," Crook said. "I remember it as being clean as a pin. They maintained it impeccably. It was always really nice. It was well built, and well structured."

Nadicksbernd said many people have expressed dismay at the plan and have offered good ideas for the building, including using it as a bed and breakfast.

"People have a lot of good ideas, but nobody comes forth with a couple million dollars to keep it," she said. "We don't' have that kind of money."

Saint Camillus Academy and all the property on which it is located is owned by the Congregation of Divine Providence - a Catholic sisterhood located in Melbourne, Kentucky. Nadicksbernd said the final decision on the fate of the building rests with that organization's corporate board. In the meantime, she said every effort is being made to ensure nothing that can be used in the building is wasted.

"We have tried our best to make sure the interior will be recycled so that it's not just demolished. The wood, the doors even the doorknobs and things like that have been salvaged," she said. "It's not just being demolished for the sake of demolishing it."

If and when it is cleared away, Nadicksbernd said the area would probably be used as a parking lot, or turned into a park.

For Crook, the absence of the building is a loss of a portion of his life he remembers fondly.

"I enjoyed being there better than you could ever imagine," he said. "I got a good education there and learned the values of life in that building. It's survived through two world wars and the Great Depression and remained open. I think it will be sad to see it go."

Justice center location down to 3 (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_332082221.html)
By Fred Petke, Times Tribune, November 28, 2007

The search for a site for Whitley County’s justice center is down to three finalists.

In a special meeting Tuesday morning, the Whitley County Project Development Board decided to focus on the Davis property in downtown Williamsburg as well as several tracts which include Williamsburg City Hall, the former Whitley County Jail, the city garage and a parking lot. A third tract further down South 2nd Street will be appraised as a possible option as well.

Board member Don Ashley asked that the third tract be appraised along with the other two “for comparison purposes.”

“My thinking is we have more than one viable site,” board member Judge Paul Braden said. “I think all the properties are viable.”

Exactly who will do the appraising is yet to be determined. Regulations established by the Administrative Office of the Courts and Chief Justice Joseph Lambert require that appraisers must have a MAI certification from the Appraisers Institute, AOC architect Garlan Van Hook said. While the certification is held in high esteem professionally and sets a standard, there were no local appraisers with that credential.

Braden and Ashley both wanted to see local appraisers involved in the process. Braden said there were several local real estate appraisers he has certified as experts in court, but were not on the list. Ashley said some of his contacts recommended two names from the state’s list.

“There are appraisers in our market that are qualified to do commercial work,” Ashley said. “My reason is they have a better understanding of the market.”

Van Hook said he would be glad to deliver a letter from the board requesting that the requirements be waived for this project, but said it would need to contain reasons why.

“(The) secondary (reason) would be to use local labor where possible,” board member Sandra Reeves said.

Ultimately, the board voted unanimously to solicit proposals from two on the state list and three local appraisers for their costs and ability to complete the work. Those proposals will be accepted at the Dec. 12 meeting.

The state-funded project will build a new facility to house the circuit and district courts along with the clerk’s offices. The rest of the courthouse would be available for additional county office space.

Construction will likely take two years to complete. Approximately $19 million has been allocated for the project. Early estimates said the building will encompass approximately 57,000 square feet.

Vacant city lot soon to see makeover as police station (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_332223646.html)
Officials also eyeing nearby property for employee parking
By Carrie Kirschner, Daily Independent, November 29, 2007

ASHLAND — The construction of Ashland’s new police station could change the downtown landscape on both sides of Greenup Avenue.

The building itself will be constructed at the corner of 17th Street and Greenup Avenue but officials are eyeing property on the opposite side along the 1700 block of Greenup Avenue for an employee parking lot.

Currently, city employees, along with those of several other area businesses, park in the vacant lot that will become the new police station.

City Manager Steve Corbitt said his office sent letters almost two months ago to several property owners on the river side of Greenup Avenue informing them of the city’s interest in purchasing their property. He said the letter asked owners to make an appointment with an appraiser the city has hired to assess the value of the buildings.

Since the letters were sent, Corbitt said, additional property owners who were not notified have approached the city requesting information.

The properties are all between the corner of 17th Street and Greenup Avenue and Don Hall’s GM Supercenter on the Greenup Avenue side of the alley that splits the block.

Corbitt said based on preliminary figures provided from the Boyd County Property Valuation Administrator’s Office, the city expects to spend between $250,000 and $300,000 acquiring properties. This money will be in addition to the $4.5 million the police station is expected to cost, Corbitt said.

Jerry Adkins, owner of Adkins Electronics, whose business is in the middle of the stretch of businesses along the block, said he is one recipient of a letter from the city. “I’m very unhappy about that,” he said.

According to Adkins, it is the second time the city has expressed interest in purchasing his property and the second time he has opposed it.

Adkins said his main concern is whether he will be able to find a new downtown location for his business, which has called Greenup Avenue home since 1981.

“This is prime property but they are going to treat it like it’s not worth anything. I don’t think we’ll have enough money to buy land in this area,” Adkins said. “They won’t give us what it is worth.”

Adkins said this is not the first time he has had to move. In 1981 it relocated to Greenup Avenue from its original location on Winchester Avenue to make way for the Ashland Plaza Hotel.

In addition to a move, the business would also have to shoulder the added burden of advertising if forced to relocate, he said.

“People are going to think I went out of business if I moved from here. We don’t have to advertise right now, we’re in a prime area,” Adkins said.

Corbitt said the city sent owners letters requesting the assessments in order to determine worth and gauge owner’s interest in selling.

At the time the letters went out, he added, two of the buildings were vacant or had for sale signs in the windows.

As of Wednesday, however, there appeared to be businesses operating in four of the six buildings along the block including Adkins Electronics, Samon’s Construction, Tri-State Computers and Tireland and Radiator City.

Corbit said the city will work with all the property owners on the block, including those who do not wish to relocate. “We’ll see what is available. Theoretically we could pick and choose the various buildings,” he said. “We could go further back toward the river. There are all kinds of possibilities.”

Corbitt said the city hopes to construct a new parking lot by early spring well before construction on the building begins. Architects are working on a final concept design now, he said, and expect to begin construction by mid-summer.

Owners of the additional properties along the 1700 block could not be reached or declined to comment.

Officials to meet about project (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_332223500.html)
Discussion with U.S. Army Corps to focus on concerns to reclaim 110 feet
By Carrie Kirschner, Daily Independent, November 29, 2007

ASHLAND — City officials are planning to meet next week with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and members of the Huntington District Waterways Association to discuss Ashland’s riverfront project.

The discussion will center on the Waterway Association’s concerns about plans to reclaim 110 feet of land into the Ohio River for the park.

Corps spokeswoman Kathy Rea confirmed the three agencies have tentative plans to meet next week although no definitive date has been set. Rea said the concerns of the navigation industry over Ashland’s reclamation plans will be the main topic of conversation and that Ashland has submitted more complete engineering plans detailing the project ahead of the meeting.

Ashland City Manager Steve Corbitt said the city has also placed some buoys in the river to show how far it plans to reclaim and has taken some video footage of barge traffic in the area, both of which officials plan to use to make their case to the corps.

He added several companies operating barges on the river have also pledged to write letters of support to the corps prior to the meeting.

“We are going to the meeting in order to get our permit,” Corbitt said. “We are optimistic that it is coming soon.”

He said the city feels it has already addressed the association’s concerns, but will continue to provide information and correct any misconceptions about the project in order to secure the permit it has been awaiting for more than a year.

The permit is one of the last obstacles Ashland must overcome before construction can begin on phase one of the project.

Corbitt and Ashland Mayor Steve Gilmore have publicly accused the association of trying to block the project because they oppose additional pleasure boat traffic on the river.

David Smith, president of the Waterways’ Association, which represents about 40 companies with operations in the Tri-State area, has repeatedly denied the city’s allegations that it opposes the project.

He said the association does have concerns about increased numbers of pleasure boaters but the concerns are over safety of both the pleasure boaters and the commercial shippers. Smith said the association is advocating for a policy to be in place that ensures adequate patrol and enforcement measures are put in place for high use times.

He said the association is also concerned about the hydraulic effect of the reclaimed land during high water flows.

“I feel we can (reach a compromise),” Smith said. “I don’t think anything we’ve asked for is that out of reach. All along we’ve been more than willing to talk to them. We just welcome the chance to get together to talk about it.”

Judicial center site listed narrowed to two areas (http://www.corbinnewsjournal.com/index.php?fn=stories&front=Array&detail=1196349212)
By: Mark White, Corbin News Journal, November 29, 2007

As it stands now, it appears that the new Whitley County Judicial Center will likely either be built on the site of the existing city hall, somewhere adjacent to it, or on the old C.B. Upton property located near Second Street in Williamsburg.

These are the two sites that the Whitley County Project Development Board voted to get appraisals for during a special called meeting Tuesday morning.

The development board is in charge of planning the new $18.9 million judicial center that will be about 58,000 square feet, which is nearly two and a half times larger than the existing courthouse. It will house all court facilities and officials.

The river front property, as the board has been referring to it, includes the site of the existing city hall, the city maintenance building, and the city fire hall along with the old jail site.

It also includes adjoining property owned by Bart Davis, Ron Reynolds, and Mike and Karen Smith.

Even if the river front property site is selected, it doesn't mean that all these tracts of land would be purchased.

The Upton Property is located near Second Street past the Merry Jeffries Community Center and is close to a city park.

Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. said the Upton site is about three to four acres big. The board was also informed Tuesday morning that Upton's widow would also consider selling the house in addition to the lot, which could provide more acreage.

Circuit Court Clerk Gary Barton noted that Reynolds has agreed to consider selling his lot if it is needed for the river front site.

Circuit Judge Paul Braden added that he felt like both sites were viable locations.

Much of the meeting was spent discussing, which appraisers would be hired to evaluate the property rates and whether they would be local appraisers.

The state list of approved appraisers that the board had to choose from included no local appraisers.

Garlan Vanhook, a representative with the state Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) said that none of the local appraisers have an MAI certification, which the state requires for judicial center projects.

MAI, or Member Appraisal Institute, is a professional designation by the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers of the National Association of Realtors, given to real estate appraisers who meet qualifying standards and are certified by the institute.

Vanhook noted that the national certification is the highest certification that appraisers can receive.

Braden said there are several local appraisers that he has certified as experts many times, and that he was upset they weren't on the list of available appraisers.

He bluntly noted that he has encountered any number of MAI certified appraisers throughout his career as a lawyer and a judge, who "weren't worth a hoot."

White said that he too was upset there were no local appraisers on the list, and that the nearest ones were from Harrodsburg or Lexington.

Don Ashley, who is a citizen board member on the board, noted that he feels there is a real benefit to having appraisers employed who have an understanding of the local market.

Vanhook said he too is in favor of local involvement whenever possible, but he added that the rules requiring an MAI certified appraiser were there before this project started and were probably there for a reason.

Vanhook said he was willing to seek approval for the use of non-MAI approved appraisers with the state if that's what the board desired.

The board voted to seek proposals from Keith E. Mays of Louisville and C. Edward Allgeier of Lexington, who are both MAI certified. Ashley said that both appraisers came recommended to him by a local appraiser he trusts.

The board also voted to seek proposals from John Chandler and Dennis Wood, both of Corbin, and from Mike Humfleet of London, who are not MAI certified.

The non-MAI proposals are contingent on Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Joseph Lambert agreeing to allow the board to use non-MAI appraisers.

The board has requested that appraiser proposals be in by Dec. 12 in time for next month's regularly scheduled meeting.

Modern judicial center set (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2943591)
By Charlie Pearl, State Journal, December 4, 2007

Architect Rick Kremer had a big question Monday for the board making the decisions on the new Franklin County Judicial Center.

He wanted to know the design preference: contemporary or traditional. And Kremer " with Louis & Henry Group of Louisville " didn't hide his opinion.

He said he's very excited about this project "because it's my home state, it's the state capital and it's an extremely historic city. I think we need to send a message to the citizens of Frankfort, Franklin County and the state for the next 50 to 100 years that we're going to be a very progressive state."

His ideas of progressive, however, "don't mean something that's avant-garde and looks like a space ship that landed or something like that," he said.

Kremer said he likes the look of the state Transportation Cabinet building on Mero Street.

"I personally think that's a very nice building," he said. "We didn't do it but I wish we had. I think doing something that helps moves all of us forward" is important.

A contemporary building can respect history, he said, "and it will." But the architecture also can be a symbol for "moving forward and saying something about 2008 and the next 50 or 100 years, as opposed to trying to do a historic reproduction."

The Franklin County Project Development Board unanimously agreed with Kremer's contemporary design recommendation.

The board hopes to build the 102,000 square-foot facility in the downtown block behind the Frankfort Convention Center. The block runs from Clinton Street to Mero Street and, behind the convention center, from St. Clair Street to Lewis Alley.

"I think modern is the way to go," said Magistrate Huston Wells, a board member.

He said Clinton Street would separate the new judicial center from the historic Old Capitol and put it close to the contemporary transportation building and the convention center, "which is going to be redone. It will blend in as a modern building."

Wells said it would be nice, however, if the judicial center could have a dome.

George Russell said he's "very impressed with the transportation building," and wants the judicial center to have a "progressive" look.

Other board members agreed.

After hearing their brief comments, Kremer said, "That was easier than I thought."

Architect Garlan VanHook, general manager of facilities for the state Administrative Office of the Courts, said he has great respect for Kremer and "the modern interpretation he has done with our existing buildings.

"I think it is important that the building has imagery that portrays the courts, and that it isn't misinterpreted as a transportation building or a typical government building. That's the vision I'm satisfied he can do with a modern interpretation."

In other business Monday, the judicial center board:

>Approved a $14,500 appraisal services bid from David L. Miller with Lewman-Miller Appraisal Co. of Louisville. It's for about eight parcels of property in the block behind the convention center, known as the old Model Laundry site.

Other bids ranged from $5,500 to $32,500. VanHook didn't recommend the lowest bid " from Mark Mitchell of BFM Real Estate Economics Co. " because he felt the service offered wasn't comprehensive.

The board's budget for property acquisition is $1.6 million. The budget for the entire project is $30 million.

>Received a letter from Robbie Carter, president of Downtown Frankfort Inc., asking the board to consider the Farmers Market site for the judicial center.
In its October meeting, the board named the old Model Laundry block as its top choice and ranked the Farmers Market site second.

Carter's letter said, "The Model Laundry site would compromise an even further loss of the tax base in downtown Frankfort with the loss of existing housing, as well as private businesses and sites suitable for private investment.

"The selection of this site would mean the demolition of historic homes in an area mostly overtaken by other large-scale government projects. Additionally, the proximity of the Model Laundry site to the state transportation building and its in-house cafeteria would be detrimental to the locally owned restaurants and cafes on the south side of Broadway."

The board took no action on the request.

Meeting raises public concerns, support (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_345092719.html)
By Brad Hicks, Times Tribune, December 11, 2007

The Sprint Racing Partnership gave a presentation before the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority at a public hearing on Monday afternoon regarding the proposed five-eighths mile quarter horse racetrack that would be constructed in Laurel County.

The partnership is comprised of members with more than 200 years combined experience in the field of horse racing.

“I thought these were the most capable people to bring quarter horse racing to the state,” said John T.L. Jones, Jr., currently Director Emeritus of Walmac Farms. Jones is credited with being the one who first introduced the idea of bringing the track to southeastern Kentucky.

“I thought it’d be a good thing to have quarter horse racing back in Kentucky,” he said.

Jones moved to the Commonwealth about 30 years ago and became owner of Walmac Farms, where Thoroughbred horses are bred and sold, in 1977. He has since sold the business to his son, John Jones III.

“If quarter horse racing is going to come back to Kentucky in any significant way, we believe you’re not going to find a better application,” said Bruce Rimbo of Zia Parks and Ruidoso Downs, tracks located in New Mexico.

He also said that southeastern Kentucky was the first choice when choosing the track’s ultimate destination.

“The only hole in the state was in the southeastern area,” he said.

Rimbo also said that the partnership has decided to build the track in either Whitley or Laurel County. Laurel County was chosen, not only for the expected exponential growth rate of the area and its economic impact, but also accessibility to the track. If approved, it would be built two miles west of Interstate 75 and near the proposed Interstate 66 route. According to Rimbo, more than 42,000 vehicles pass by the area on a daily basis.

Ewing Cole, an architectural and engineering company based in Philadelphia, was consulted for design of the track. The firm also has experience with horse racing, as it oversaw renovations to Churchill Downs and Emerald Downs.

“They’re the best at doing parimutuel racetracks,” Rimbo said.

Food and beverage expertise was sought from Chris Sullivan, alumnus of the University of Kentucky, founder of Outback restaurants and member of the Sprint Racing Partnership.

“We’re not looking at this as a fast food situation for ourselves, but more of a casual dining atmosphere,” he said. “We’re excited about this project.”

Not only would races take place at the proposed track, but it would also be used as an entertainment center, where equine performance events and concerts could be held.

“This is the only way it could survive, I think,” said Jones.

The Daniel Boone Motor Cross and the World Chicken Festival, which draws crowds of more than 200,000, were cited as examples of events that take place in the area.

“That told us that they could handle big crowds,” Rimbo said. “A racetrack and entertainment center needs people.”

Rimbo also provided examples of performers who have performed at concerts at the New Mexico tracks he is affiliated with, such as Willie Nelson, Toby Keith and Glen Campbell.

He also said that quarter horse ownership has been down in the state in recent years because there are simply not any races taking place and that he has been advised by horse owners in Kentucky, as well as other states, that they would bring their horses to the track. There would be four barns on site, with 75 stalls in each barn.

The partnership wants to leave the possibility of expansion to the track open. There was discussion of eventually expanding the width of the track from 80 to 100 feet and from a five-eighths mile track to seven-eighths or a full mile. Races would be held on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays during the timeframe of July through Labor Day, but the racing commission will ultimately determine what dates will work best.

Financial backing for the track would come from Central Bank out of Lexington and Compass Bank, which is based out of Albuquerque, NM, as both banks have already submitted letters of intent.

Officials in the Laurel County, such as London Mayor Troy Rudder, Judge Executive of the Laurel County Fiscal Court Lawrence Kuhl, the Laurel County Tourism Commission and Chamber of Commerce, have already written letters of support for construction of racetrack.

“When we looked at the Sprint Racing proposal, you couldn’t find better managment and you couldn’t have better people involved,” said Randy Meurer, vice president of the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association. “There was a buzz growing about this project. This is the ideal time for this proposal.”

“Two things are needed to make this track successful,” said Ed Ashcraft, owner of Ashcraft Farms and member of the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association. “You need people who are interested from a racing and entertainment standpoint. I think we have both. You also need a facility.”

The public was also given a chance to voice opinions or concerns they had over the proposed track, and the proposal has not been without its opposition.

“We are looking past the betting and looking to the coming of casinos,” said Roy Faulkner, director of missions for the Laurel River Baptist Association.

Faulkner said that members of the association have passed a resolution to attempt to have the track barred from the area due to the possibility of increased gambling.

“Gambling is one of the resources now of people being addicted,” said Rev. Joe Mobley of Crusades for Christ, Inc. “Who’s going to help these kids whose parents get addicted to gambling and who’s parents get addicted to alcohol? My job is trying to protect the people.

“We don’t need the horse racing down here,” he said. “Don’t think that just because you’ve never experienced problems doesn’t mean others can’t.”

“He’s bringing the most cursed folks to Kentucky,” said Pastor Russell Despain of the London Baptist Church. “They failed to mention they’re going to gamble. They failed to mention gambling’s coming with this.

“And these entertainers, if you want to call them that. How many times has Glen Campbell been arrested for drugs and alcohol?” he said.

Despain also said that it was a “disgrace” that local officials whom the public had elected could support bringing the track to Laurel county.

“If you grant this license, you’ll bring a disgrace and a curse to Laurel County,” Despain said.

John T.L. Jones, Jr., a graduate of Abilene Christian University, retorted to the concerns of Laurel County citizens by saying that his children and family had been in these types of settings.

“They’ve been around racetracks and drinking all their lives, and you know something, they don’t do it,” he said.

The authority will have a regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 17, however approval of the Laurel County track is not on the agenda. There has currently been no timetable set on a decision, but they did indicate that it is contingent on a motion that has been filed by Cumberland Downs, who was previously denied approval for a track in neighboring Whitley County, and also background checks on those involved in the Sprint Racing Partnership. The committee indicated this may not be completed until February.

Brent Caldwell, an attorney representing Sprint Racing, said that if the Cumberland Downs decision was reversed, that Sprint Racing would put their application up against theirs for the authority’s approval of the Commonwealth’s ninth and final track.

The bridge is near downtown Corbin and is an old iron truss. I doubt that it is an old railroad bridge unless the span was relocated to the location 20 years ago when it was disused, as I can find no indication that a railroad traversed Engineer Street.

Engineer Street bridge part of Renaissance (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_345093039.html)
By Fred Petke, Times Tribune, December 11, 2007

Work on Corbin’s Engineer Street bridge may be only a couple weeks from completion, but the project is now part of the Renaissance on Main project.

Monday night, the Corbin City Commission voted to extend the project’s boundaries to include the bridge, which could open doors for funding for other future projects, Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney said.

After years of trying to obtain grants to renovate the former railroad bridge, the city took on the task itself earlier this summer. With the help of county prisoners for much of the labor, McBurney said the project should cost slightly more than $20,000.

Completing renovations to the bridge and making it part of the creekwalk along Lynn Camp Creek would also show a good faith effort to state officials about plans for a second phase and, hopefully, obtaining grant funds for that, Renaissance on Main Manager Sharae Myers said.

“The restoration project is something we really need to show the state,” Myers said.

“We’ve already applied for phase two of the creekwalk,” McBurney said, and are planning on applying for a state railroad corridor enhancement grant.

Corbin has been working to qualify as a state downtown renaissance project for the past year. The state project distributes funds to qualified cities to enhance and revitalize their downtowns.

The Engineer Street bridge was closed more than 20 years ago due to safety concerns. The city has replaced the deck, painted the superstructure and installed new planters and other concrete work around the ends. McBurney said the rails should be installed within the coming days and the entire project could be completed within two weeks.

The commission also approved the appointment of five members to the Renaissance on Main architectural review committee. The five: Bill Hacker, Kenneth Pennington, Terry Skinner, Shirley Jones and Annette Campbell, were appointed unanimously. Myers said the length of their terms would be determined later.

Berry’s moving proposal (http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/articles/2007/12/13/news/news01.txt)
$10 million office complex would replace courthouse
By John Friedlein, News-Enterprise, December 12, 2007

ELIZABETHTOWN — As yellow yard signs in favor of keeping county government downtown pop up on lawns like dandelions, Judge-Executive Harry Berry is detailing his reasons why he thinks it’s time to go.

He wants to consolidate county offices in a three-story building on seven acres near the corner of Rineyville and Ring roads. If fiscal court members approve the project, construction could start by next summer and county workers could move in by September 2009.

Berry expects the county would spend $10 million on design and construction of a 60,000-square-foot facility. Contrary to the yard signs, no new taxes would pay for it, Berry said.

As for support among commissioners, Bill Hay and Garry King said they are listening to constituents on the matter, and on Wednesday they wouldn’t commit to one side or the other. Bill Brandenburg, however, has taken a stand.

“I think we should continue to utilize our existing space,” he said. He thinks Berry’s plan would mean higher taxes.

If officials approve the project, the county will pay the first $2 million from its reserves. Then, after bonding and borrowing, it would make annual debt payments of $600,000 through existing revenue sources without cutting services, Berry said. The county’s growth — and the resulting increase in revenue flowing into government coffers — would make that possible. Plus, within the next five years, the county will retire more than $300,000 in debt payments — covering half of the estimated payment on a new building.

Berry believes now is the time to act. The county is at 22 percent of its debt capacity, a low figure compared to the rest of the state. And considering the increasing price of land, “the sooner you do it, the less costly it’s going to be,” he said.

The county would build on land acquired from the county-run Hardin Memorial Hospital.

Berry said a move is inevitable. During a fiscal court meeting Tuesday, he detailed a list of problems with the current offices, which are spread among several buildings. For instance, the structures are old, too small and offer no room for expansion. Plus, parking is a problem, as is mold, and safely crossing Dixie Avenue to the H.B. Fife Courthouse in Public Square.

Also, downtown offers no feasible building sites, and it is expensive to meet historical preservation requirements, he said.

The new building would sit near the county’s population center while remaining within city limits, Berry said. And it would provide room for future expansion and better accommodate technology.

Countering critics and worries, Berry said the new building would not be a monument to county government, and the county clerk’s satellite office in Radcliff wouldn’t close.

He said planning for the project was not done in secret. And his view regarding relocation has been known by fiscal court members for 18 months, he said.

Another concern is that construction funding could hurt the county’s preparedness for a major realignment at the nearby Fort Knox Army post and for possible industrial development in Glendale. But major infrastructure improvements associated with development, such as installing sewer lines and building new roads, is bought with state and federal funds, Berry said.

As for saying the county would raise taxes for the project, Berry said history shows otherwise. For instance, Hardin is one of the counties that does not have library and insurance premium taxes. And its real property tax rate is at its lowest point since 1990.

Berry has called raising the possibility of a tax increase a “scare tactic.”

The Elizabethtown Heritage Council is passing out “No New Taxes” yard signs and a petition.

Members have argued downtown government offices help with a revitalization effort by generating traffic to businesses — a point Berry disputes.

About $15 million in private and public funds have been invested downtown during the past five years, said Executive Director Dana Beth Lyddan during a recent rally.

County Clerk Kenny Tabb also opposes a move.

Tabb, whose family has lived in the area for generations, said he worries that when workers vacate their offices, no one will maintain the buildings.

“If county government moves out of downtown, then you might as well write it off,” he said.

COURTHOUSE HISTORY

# Hardin County’s first courthouse was constructed at a cost of $220 in 1795, two years after the county was founded.

# In 1806, a brick courthouse was constructed to replace the log structure.

# In 1870, Samuel Haycraft Jr. pronounced the second Hardin County courthouse as “decidedly the poorest and most uncomfortable courthouse in the state.” In light of his political influence, a new one was built in 1873 after the General Assembly authorized Hardin County Court to levy a tax for its construction.

# In December 1932, the third Hardin County courthouse burned, although all of the county records were saved. It was 15 months before a new courthouse could be constructed. The building is used today by the Hardin County government. Judicial functions moved to the Justice Center in 1999.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

# The structure has been known as the H.B. Fife Courthouse since December 2002 when Fiscal Court renamed it in honor of Henry Bernie Fife who served six consecutive terms as county judge from 1926 to 1949.

# The buildings housing the county clerk’s office also would be vacated by a move to a new office complex. A group of vacant storefronts was renovated and named for R.R. Thomas in the 1980s. Thomas was elected judge in 1969 and served 20 years.

^ See post above.

Downtown merchants leery about idea (http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/articles/2007/12/13/news/news02.txt)
By Joshua Coffman, News-Enterprise, December 12, 2007

ELIZABETHTOWN — Do county government offices serve adjacent retailers as a lighthouse and an anchor at the same time? And, if so, could those days soon be gone?

Those offices, acting as a beacon to draw residents to the center of the city, and then holding them downtown long enough to visit nearby merchants, could see both roles disappear if relocated to Ring Road, as Judge-Executive Harry Berry proposes, some merchants say

While some downtown employees and business owners predicted relocation would wreak havoc on their bottom lines, others said the financial impact might not be so bad. However, those who said that also said they think a move could damage the city’s history and heritage.

“We would like to preserve that all we can,” said Al Rider, owner of Rider’s Clothing. “We’ve got a good downtown program … and I would hate to see that disturbed.”

Although some said they understand why county leaders would consider moving the offices, no business owner or manager interviewed Wednesday spoke as an advocate of the proposal.

“It would just devastate us,” said Jane Clauson, owner of Town & Country. She said much of her business results from shoppers walking in after stopping at nearby government offices.

“I really can’t see their point, with all the lawyers down here, the new Justice Center. I think it would be a waste of money.”

Under a plan presented Tuesday to Fiscal Court, the sale of bonds would cover much of the cost of a new office complex. Berry said expansion would be cheaper and more parking would be available if offices moved near Ring Road.

“I’m sure they’re out of room, and a brand-new building would be very efficient,” said Brian Kerr, president of Kerr Office Interiors. But he’s not sold on the idea.

Kerr said he believes such a scenario would bring more traffic congestion to the northern part of Elizabethtown, while traffic in what he sees as a dwindling part of the city would all but dry up.

“As far as traffic downtown, it’s already slow … once that’s gone, downtown would be a ghost town,” he said.

Kerr said much of his clientele comes from other businesses, so county government moving would likely not affect sales. However, he believes it may bring down property value as other merchants and offices leave the area.

“I would hate to see everybody move out of downtown,” he said.

Of the buildings government offices would vacate, the judge-executive’s report offered several possibilities. The historic courthouse could be used as Elizabethtown City Hall, by the history museum or by the commonwealth attorney’s office, which needs proximity to the Justice Center.

The R.R. Thomas Building, currently used by the county clerk, could be sold to private development or be demolished and rebuilt to match historical standards of adjacent structures, according to the proposal. The facility would not be kept by the county or used by charitable organizations, Berry said.

The proposal calls on city leadership and private enterprise to revitalize the district.

Annie Brown and Mindy Gibson, who work at Creating Inspirations, said they would like to see more life brought into the area regardless of the outcome.

“Downtown needs to be freshened up,” said Brown, manager of the store.

Gibson, who helps out as a volunteer, said the city should look to other downtown districts in the state for role models.

“They need to do a total revitalization,” she said, “like they did in Georgetown and Paris.”

Trail would link city to parks (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/2990261)
By Charlie Pearl, State Journal, December 13, 2007

A paved, five-mile bicycle-pedestrian path looping from downtown to Cove Spring Park and back - with half of it running along the Kentucky River - is being planned.

That's the top-priority project for Walk/Bike Frankfort, a group wanting to create a network of walking and biking trails throughout the community.

Walk/Bike organizers are hoping the City Commission and Franklin County Fiscal Court will endorse their long-term plan and help them obtain grants to fund a series of trails.

Mike Bomford, a member of the Walk/Bike Frankfort steering committee, spoke briefly to the City Commission in Monday's work session, asking for support.

Since February the Walk/Bike group has had a series of public meetings and citizens have helped prioritize trail projects, Bomford said.

The five-mile trail " called the River View-Cove Spring Loop " "was far and away the public's top priority in the priority process that we conducted," Bomford said. "We're really excited about this project, for its potential to appeal to tourists and to link downtown to Cove Spring Park " one of the jewels of Frankfort."

Phase 1 " a 2.5-mile stretch " would run through River View Park, "out along the river and around Buffalo Trace Distillery to Cove Spring Park," Bomford said.

Phase 2 " the same distance as Phase 1 " would run parallel to Holmes Street, along Rouse Avenue and an abandoned railroad bed to tie back into downtown.

Each phase is expected to cost about $225,000.

"Federal Transportation Enhancement funds will be targeted to cover 80 percent of the cost, leaving approximately $45,000 per phase to be covered by local contributions, including in-kind contributions," according to a financial report prepared by Steve Brooks, city parks and recreation director.

Bomford said a Kentucky Riverfront Development steering committee is also supporting Walk/Bike Frankfort's first project.

The next top two projects for future years include:

>A one-mile bicycle-pedestrian path along an old railroad bed connecting downtown to Kentucky State University and the east side of town.

"The beautiful thing about this project is, it's about a 3 percent grade " a gentle incline " and provides an alternative to East Main Street, which is a rather steep hill on a narrow roadway," Bomford said.

The sidewalks on both sides of East Main are "crumbling and narrow, and not a place you would want to walk a dog or push a stroller or take somebody who is confined to a wheelchair," he said.

>A longer trail " including a mixture of shared-use paths, shared roads and sidewalks " called Juniper Hill West.

According to Brent Sweger, another Walk/Bike organizer, it would "start downtown, go up an abandoned Browns Ferry Road, tie in behind Juniper Hill Golf Course, then connect with Collins Lane School and shopping centers on the west side, and then three county schools" " Bridgeport Elementary, Bondurant Middle and Western Hills High.

The trail would run "on quiet, residential streets for the most part, and would provide an alternative to Collins Lane and U.S. 60," Bomford said. "All of these projects were very highly ranked by the public in our evaluation process."

A Walk/Bike Frankfort report " identifying high-priority projects to make Frankfort a more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly city is on the Dec. 17 City Commission consent agenda and is expected to be accepted.

Other members of the Walk/Bike steering committee include Jim Call, city employees Chuck Adams, Bob Tillett, Maya DeRosa, Andrew Cammack and former city employee Justin Evilsizor.

^ Approx map (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106726305381647164736.000001125882aa777c286&ll=38.207297,-84.886208&spn=0.097929,0.22934&z=13&om=1)

Woohoo. First one to respond who is not Seicer. :banana: :lol:

LOL Yeah I was waiting for the day in anticipation :)

Justice Center to stay put (http://www.themoreheadnews.com/local/local_story_352142522.html)
By Vanessa Overholser, Morehead News, December 18, 2007

Rowan County’s new judicial center will be located near the current courthouse, a board has voted 5-3.

For the past four months the Rowan County Project Development Board debated the location of the new center. After numerous discussions of 10 sites, officials narrowed their decision to two: at the current courthouse lot and a plot of land downtown near Whittaker Bank.

Voting yes for the courthouse site were Judge-executive Jim Nickell (chairman), Jerry Flannery, Jerry Alderman, Jerry Ravenscraft and Paul Stokes. Voting no were Circuit Judge Bill Mains, District Judge Bill Lane and Circuit Clerk Jim Barker.

“I think the city would like to get rid of two old buildings. It would be better suited for the county,” Nickell said. “The AOC (Administrative Office of the Courts) will pay us $800,000 for our parking lot. It would be well suited for the county because receiving funds from the sale of the parking lot is a one-time shot for the county.”

Before construction of the center can begin, demolishment of the current government building will take place. The $800,000 the county will receive from the AOC will be used for both the tearing down of the old building and construction of the new judicial center.

“The county offices will be in a separate building. The county offices will be located behind the jail and the judicial center will be in the front. This way the jail will be attached to the judicial center. The reason for this is for inmate transportation,” Nickell added.

Another issue regarding the judicial center is parking. In the architect’s plan, there are 40 spaces in the lower area of the judicial center lot and an additional 80 spaces in the back where the county offices will be located. Nickell said there is an overflow parking area that the county utilizes during their busiest days.

“It will save the county $100,000 in inmate transport cost. The majority wanted the judicial center to be in one place. The majority felt that this is the best location,” Nickell said.

Design options studied for Garrard judicial center (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=37057&format=html)
By Bobbie Curd, Advocate-Messenger [Harrodsburg], December 19, 2007

LANCASTER - Several building options were discussed Tuesday as a committee overseeing the planning and design for the new Garrard County Judicial Center met.

Garrard is listed fourth among 16 counties currently in line for new judicial centers, and officials are moving forward with plans for a new $11.5 million center next door to the courthouse in Lancaster.

Monica Sumner, with Brandstetter Carroll Inc. of Lexington, showed the committee two sketches, one she referred to as "traditional and expected," and the other with an off-center entrance way, which some committee members are not keen on.

Sumner said committee member Bob Noe mentioned something during the last meeting that has "haunted" her.

"He used the word 'graceful,'" while talking about what type of design may work best for Lancaster. She said even though "grace" does not typically describe massive judicial centers, the idea stuck with her, and Sumner revealed a third sketch which took center stage for the rest of the meeting.

The curved front of the building, centered by a courtyard green space which Sumner said she considers imperative to the design, was studied intensely. Sumner said the design may be more desirable since it sets the building farther off U.S. 27 than the other sketches.

Committee members, such as Circuit Judge Hunter Daugherty, asked specific questions about the floor plans and parking. Sumner said specifics can only be speculated about until a survey is completed.

Survey expected in two to four weeks

AGE Engineering Services of Stanford won the bid for the survey, which Sumner said may be completed within two to four weeks.

"It's a lot of work, though. We're talking about eight or so different properties, boundaries and topography," Sumner said.

Debate surrounded the topic of security versus aesthetics of the front lobby. Attorney James Sanders, for example, said he felt a side entrance would work best.

"We have to have security, although I wish we didn't, but having it in the middle of the lobby as you walk through messes up the look of it," Sanders said.

Others felt a center entrance would be best.

Sumner will analyze the entry being placed at different points "because this will affect the space, the look of it," she said.

County Judge-Executive John Wilson said the square footage being reviewed for the judges' chambers may be a bit excessive compared to its usage, since there is no "home judge in Garrard County."

Daugherty and District Judge William Oliver agreed.

"If there is any extra space we can move around, I'd like to see it used for the courtroom spectators and other public needs," Oliver said.

Sumner said public space is of the utmost importance.

"In many courthouses, it's disappointing that there isn't more public space," Sumner said.

The committee's next meeting is Jan. 8. By Jan. 23, Sumner will have completed a computer-generated 3-D model of the building.

The existing courthouse was built in 1928.

Mercer to raze courthouse (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=37021&format=html)
By Ann R. Harney, The Advocate-Messenger [Danville], December 18, 2007

HARRODSBURG - The Mercer County Courthouse will be demolished to make way for a completely new judicial center.

The Project Development Board made the decision Monday after learning it would cost between $200,000 and $350,000 more to incorporate a portion of the existing courthouse into the new structure. It also would eliminate parking places.

Judge-Executive John Trisler, chairman of the board, said having the new building on the site of the current courthouse is more important than using a portion of the courthouse in the new structure.

"Moving the center would be devastating," he said.

Architects had provided two alternatives, one using the actual front of the courthouse as part of the judicial center and the other designing a building with the appearance of the courthouse.

When Trisler asked for a motion on one of the alternatives, two of the new building's inhabitants provided it. Circuit Judge Darren Peckler made the motion to tear down the courthouse and recreate its facade in the new judicial center. Mercer District Judge Jeff Dotson seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous.

Either alternative will require finding temporary housing for the offices and courts. The sheriff, jailer and emergency management director will have to find permanent housing since their offices will not be in the new center.

Jeff Lilly, project coordinator and the general manager of core facilities for the Administrative Office of the Courts, said the building will have to be vacated by the beginning of September.

The new judicial center will include space for circuit, district and family courts. CMW Inc. is the Lexington architectural and engineering firm designing the center.

Dennis Arthur of CMW said company representatives have held interviews with the three judges and Mercer Circuit Clerk Rose Bishop who want the proposed floor plan changed so the judges and clerks are closer to the front of the building.

The project has been estimated to cost $12 million, but the price won't be known until the project is designed and bid.

The next board meeting will be 8 a.m. Jan. 22.

While I don't respond I do like reading about what is going on in the rest of the state. This thread allows me to do that without having to look all over the internet. Thanks Seicer!

Williamstown train depot sold (http://newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/500308.html?nav=5061)
By Jolene Craig, News and Sentinel [Parkersburg], December 21, 2007

WILLIAMSTOWN — More than two decades of work, renovation and fighting to keep the Williamstown Train Depot open have ended with the building and land being sold.

“My heart is just broken,” said Elizabeth Beck, president of the Williamstown Area Development Corporation (WADC). “We fought very hard and did everything we could, but we don’t have the money to keep it going.”

The depot was purchased by a local, Wendy Curry, two weeks ago with plans to turn it into an art center, Beck said. It is unknown when the building will reopen under new ownership.

“This has been a trip for us and selling it wasn’t something we wanted to do,” Beck said. “It was something we had to do.”

The depot closed and went on the market in June because the WADC could not make enough money to pay the nearly $2,000 per month it cost to keep the building open and operating.

Beck and her family purchased the 120-year-old building in March 1990 and acquired ownership in December 1992.

In March 1993, the WADC applied to the West Virginia Department of Transportation for federal funds under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency ACT of 1991 (ISTEA).

The WADC spent $254,000 in ISTEA funds and a total of $362,000 restoring the depot to include three rooms, which most recently housed a hobby shop, an ice cream parlor and a train museum.

Since the restoration the depot has acted as a gift shop and tourist information center.

The WADC filed paperwork in December 2005 with the National Registry of Historic Places, but has yet to hear about the building’s status, Beck said.

In an effort to bring more money in to sustain the building, Earl and Pam Williams, WADC members, rented two of the building’s three rooms to house Depot Hobbies, a train and hobby shop that opened in December 2005, and the Whistle Stop Ice Cream Shop, which opened last June.

The Williamses put between $70,000 and $80,000 into opening the two businesses in the building and decided it was time to cut the ties and move on.

Eric Williams, in a June interview with the News and Sentinel said he wasn’t angry.

“We tried, but it didn’t pan out the way we wanted,” he said. “My main goal was to help the WADC keep the station and I’m more disappointed the history may not be around for the kids to learn about.

The WADC and Williamses kept a train theme throughout the depot’s three rooms with pieces from the depot’s history as well as model trains everywhere.

Beck said the depot is a way to teach kids about transportation and communication before cars were everywhere and cell phones.

“With this closing, kids may not be able to learn about those things in Williamstown,” she said.

Beck said part of the reason the depot is for sale is because of a lawsuit between the WADC and Sutherlins Limited Liability Co., a division of JLSS, LLC, which owned the land the depot sits on.

The litigation ended amicably in May 2005, when the WADC agreed to purchase the land.

“We almost had the depot paid off when we had to take out a loan to purchase the land,” Beck said. “That lawsuit did us in.”

Riverfront progressing (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_356224535.html)
Permit required before plans can be finalized
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, December 24, 2007

ASHLAND — A team of engineers from Cincinnati-based KZF Design was in town last week with a progress report for the Ashland Board of City Commissioners on the city’s Riverfront park project.

KZF engineer David A. Tomley told commissioners Thursday night engineering drawings for the first phase of the project are nearly 75 percent complete.

Work on the drawings, he said, has been delayed several times while the city waits for the required permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The permit, required to reclaim a portion of the Ohio River, is at the center of the first phase plans.

In addition to reclaiming the river and creating several hundred feet of river wall, the first phase includes a boat ramp and access drive, public restrooms and a lookout point. Several portions of the walkways, which will eventually be a part of the sidewalk “ribbons” running through the park, will also be constructed in Phase One.

Tomley said the engineering drawings can be completed within 10 weeks once the city secures its permit and gives engineers the go-ahead to finish the design.

Ashland officials applied for the permit more than 16 months ago. City officials have blamed the delay in part on concerns voiced to the Corps by the Huntington District Waterways Association.

The three agencies, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, have had several meetings in the last month aimed at addressing those concerns. Both sides say they now believe all concerns have been met.

Mayor Steve Gilmore said Thursday he is confident the city will be receiving its permit in the next three weeks.

If the permit is granted in mid-January, Tomley said, bids could be let for construction of the first phase by late April. He added that the Kentucky Department of Transportation must first review and sign off on the finalized Riverfront plans, but the transportation cabinet has indicated it will need only 21 days to review those plans.

Tomley said Phase One construction is being estimated to cost between $8 million and $9.6 million.

“We’re anticipating somewhere in the middle. If we have competitive bidding, we might have prices on the low end,” he said.

However, that estimate is contingent upon approval of an open-cell method of river reclamation, according to Tomley. If the open-cell method is not approved by the cabinet, the construction for Phase One could run between $15 and $20 million.

Ashland has secured only about $12 million for the first phase of construction — $10.2 million in federally earmarked transportation funds.

Tomley said the cabinet “is favorable to us moving forward” on the open-cell design.

Commissioner Kevin Gunderson expressed concern at Thursday’s meeting about KZF Design’s fees. To date, Ashland has already paid out more than $500,000 to the firm for design work on the first phase.

Tomley said Thursday he expects an additional $350,000 will be billed by the end of the phase. He said the first phase has been more expensive than anticipated because of expenditures like the required geotechnical and archeological studies that were performed for the entire master plan area. He added the city will realize some savings in latter stages because that work has already been completed.

In addition, engineers also began working on the drawings for Phase Two because of the delays with the permit, he said.

Savings in time and money are also expected to come from the fill material — the remnants of the old Wal-Mart — already being stored at the riverfront, Tomley said.

I personally visited the courthouse and city in 2003. The grounds of the city were quite poor compared to the bustling Glasgow. The town was tired and it was showing its age -- especially the courthouse. Jump to a few days ago -- it's exposed rough red brick is 100 years strong and looks great. Things are looking up in this community.

Work finished on Metcalfe Courthouse (http://www.glasgowdailytimes.com/archivesearch/local_story_337123525.html)
By Gina Kinslow, Glasgow Daily Times, December 3, 2007

GLASGOW — Work to improve the look of the Metcalfe County Courthouse is now complete, according to officials.

The project got under way a couple of weeks ago and involved the installation of decorative lighting throughout the courtyard, as well as new metal benches displaying the words “Metcalfe County” across the back of each, plus the planting of new shrubbery.

“(We’re) just trying to spruce up the courtyard a little more,” said Judge-Executive Greg Wilson.

Improvements to the courtyard were funded by money set aside to match a $750,000 Kentucky Heritage Council for Historical Restoration grant acquired to cover the cost to renovate the historic courthouse, which is over 100 years old.

The initial grant was for $200,000 and called for the historic courthouse renovation work to be done in two phases.

The first phase involved removing the white paint from the building and tuckpointing the brick, as well as reworking one entrance so the courthouse would look the way it did originally.

The second phase called for renovations to the interior of the courthouse, plus the installation of an elevator, improvements to the courtyard and the construction of a transportation center in the courtyard.

According to Vickie Stephens, Metcalfe County treasurer, $750,000 of the initial $200,000 grant lapsed in June 2006.

“When Judge Wilson and I came aboard in January we found the paperwork where that (the grant) had lapsed,” Stephens said.

A sum of $250,000 had been set aside by the Metcalfe Fiscal Court to help cover the cost of the second phase and was used to pay for the new decorative street lamps, benches and shrubbery.

The work was completed last week.

A special holiday lighting ceremony took place Friday in the newly renovated courtyard.

Gaye Shaw, executive director of the Edmonton-Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce, said the improvements will have a great effect on the county’s tourism.

“It will greatly benefit the annual Pumpkin Festival,” she said. “The very attractive benches add great places for persons to sit and rest a spell. Each light will have an electrical outlet so more of the vendors will have access to electricity,” she said. “Just in the last few years, outlets were available only in the food court and before that, electrical access was sporadic to say the least. More and more vendors need electricity so I think it will entice more to come to Edmonton.”

The new lighting will also be beneficial for the Trick a Treat Around the Square at Halloween time, Shaw said.

“We have gotten a lot of positive feedback from the community on that event,” she said. “Parents love not having to drive up and down the road loading and unloading children at houses and children love walking around the square visiting all the merchants. The new lights in the courtyard should make that event even more enjoyable.”

A portion of the work to renovate the courtyard was done by county employees.

Stephens said the improvements look good.

“We’re proud,” she said.

We were in Charleston, WV at their Capitol Market last week and was thinking how nice it would be if Ashland converted their old freight depot into a market...

From depot to Riverfront Market (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_359231236.html)
Committee members envision a permanent ‘retail destination’
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, December 25, 2007

ASHLAND — City officials hope to reinvent the old C&O railroad depot into a thriving local market as an important piece of Ashland’s Riverfront park.

A committee comprised of city officials, Ashland Main Street representatives and agents from the Boyd County Extension Service has worked on a plan for the train station for more than a year at the request of Ashland Mayor Steve Gilmore.

Last week, committee members outlined their plan for the Ashland Board of City Commissioners. It includes renovating the unused western portion of the depot to house vendors and a small restaurant. An 85-foot outdoor, covered pavilion for 16 seasonal vendors is also planned for the project.

The depot is currently home to the Ashland Bus System and an Amtrak station, both of which would remain in the eastern portion.

Committee members said the Riverfront Market would be comparable to — albeit smaller than — the Capitol Market in Charleston, W.Va.

Christy Ford, Main Street program assistant, said the committee researched more than 140 existing markets throughout the country and determined a list of ideal vendors to be included in the market.

They are a fish and meat market, a deli, a Kentucky wines and cheese vendor, a year-round green grocer, a florist, ice cream vendor and Kentucky cottage industry goods. A newsstand and small sundry store are also being considered, as is a restaurant that would seat between 30 and 50 people. Seasonal seating would also be available outside.

“I think once we get it established we’ll have a waiting list (of vendors),” Ford said.

She said the committee will have to work hard to counter any public impression the project is “another farmer’s market.”

“The connotation of a farmer’s market is really misunderstood here (in Ashland). As a group, we’re going have to work very hard to market the idea,” Ford said. “It is a permanent fixture. A retail destination. It’s not just people pulling up trucks and selling stuff whenever they feel like it.”

The renovations needed for the project are estimated to cost about $700,000, according to committee members. Renovations include building a commercial kitchen for the restaurant and the sinks required for food vendors, along with weatherproofing, climate control and safety and security measures. The pavilion will also have to be constructed and the outdoor decking around the facility revamped. The large metal doors on the depot will be replaced with floor-to-ceiling windows, and the C&O Railroad sign and White’s Grocery sign are also slated to be refurbished.

Members requested funding for the project come in part from the $10.2 million in federally earmarked Riverfront development funds.

Committee members said they are applying for a variety of grants to help fund it, including a Project for Public Spaces grant, which would provide funds to operate the market during its first two years. Consultative support would also be provided with the grant to ensure its long-term sustainability, they said.

Economic Development director and committee member Chris Pullem said he thinks the city could save substantial funds using city workers to complete certain aspects of the renovations. Pullem said he and Community Planning and Development Director Greg Rice are working to put together a more detailed financial plan for the project.

Pullem said he thinks the project could get under way in the coming months, allowing the market to open sometime in late spring.

Committee members included Ford, Gilmore, Pullem, Main Street Director Danny Craig, Lori Arthur of City National Bank, local attorney Charlie Holbrook, Northern Kentucky Arts Council Director Trish Hall, Kim Jenkins of Sweet Bay Landscaping, Agriculture Extension Agent Lyndall Harned and Economic Development Extension Agent Kyle Robinson.

Piece of history faces demolition (http://www.kentucky.com/454/story/273678.html)
Flemingsburg Hotel has link to Civil War spy
By Jillian Ogawa, Herald-Leader, January 2, 2007

FLEMINGSBURG -- An old hotel that was once the residence of a Civil War spy who was hanged for masterminding the "Great Locomotive Chase" may be headed for its own unhappy ending.

Plans call for the Flemingsburg Hotel, the old jail and several other buildings to be replaced by a $12-million, 32,800-square-foot judicial center. Fleming was among 18 counties approved for new court facilities by the 2006 General Assembly.

Local historian Brad Harn says the hotel is just as important to Flemingsburg as the Henry Clay estate is to Lexington.

"It would be like going to any other city and tearing their best and most historic house down," he said.

James J. Andrews, a house painter, lived at the hotel from 1859 to 1862. In April 1862, in Marietta, Ga., he led a group of men in the theft of a train, which was used to disrupt the Confederacy's rail operations and supply lines.

The men were able to take the train and damage rail lines and telegraph lines along the way, but the train's conductor, crew and Confederate soldiers caught up with them. Andrews and some of his men were captured and hanged, but they were later awarded a Medal of Honor.

A movie about Andrews' raid, The Great Locomotive Chase, was made in 1956, starring Fess Parker.

Alternative rejected

Fleming County Judge-Executive Larry Foxworthy said other downtown sites are in a flood zone or too steep to build on.

The project development board, which he chairs, has received an offer of a donated 2-acre parcel for the courthouse, near the county library on the Flemingsburg bypass. The board did not consider that land when it voted in November to proceed with construction downtown.

The Administrative Office of the Courts wants the new facility as close to the existing courthouse as possible, he said. The old hotel is across from the current courthouse. After the judicial center is built, the existing courthouse will be used to house county services like the Property Valuation Administrator.

"Since they are orchestrating the money," he said, "we have to go with their guidelines."

Property appraisals are being done before the board meets again Jan. 15.

'Limited protection'

The hotel is in a historic district that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, but the designation "carries only limited protection," said Peggy Guier, staff attorney for the Kentucky Heritage Council in Frankfort.

With federally funded projects, the impact on historic properties must be evaluated. No such review is required for state-funded projects such as the judicial center.

"It stands like any other piece of property with a private owner," Guier said.

That worries the building's owner, Judy Mers. She has refused to sell, but Foxworthy said the other property owners have agreed to sell.

"It's my home and I bought it to live in," said Mers, who has owned the building since the 1980s.

The board does have condemnation power, but Foxworthy said he prefers not to exercise that authority.

"I would rather go to an alternative site," he said.

In late August, Mers received a letter from the project development board informing her that her yard behind the hotel would be required for the new justice center. "The hotel building itself will in no way be touched in this plan. Any building with historical significance cannot be considered," the letter read.

But the family learned through the local newspaper that the old hotel could be torn down; Mers said she has not received any formal notice about potential demolition or an appraisal.

'Like a family member'

"This home is like a family member to her," said Mers' daughter-in-law Anita Masters, who also lived in the building for 15 years.

Mers is getting help from other family members and Fleming County residents such as Harn and local historian Caren Prater. Harn said he has contacted Civil War organizations that would have an interest in saving the property because Andrews lived there.

Harn said the back section of the old hotel was first a tavern and stagecoach inn during the 1790s. The front of the hotel was completed by 1810.

The building served as a courthouse in the 1820s while another courthouse was being built, and was a makeshift hospital and morgue during the 1830s cholera epidemic.

The building still has much of the hotel's original woodwork and features, including hewed beams and flooring, and baton-style doors.

The hotel has 15 rooms within three floors. Mers still has hotel room records that show which room the Civil War spy Andrews stayed in, Masters said.

Down the block is the historic jail, which was completed at the end of the Civil War, Harn said. Now being used as the sheriff's office, the building still has the original cells with metal bunk beds, although inmates are taken to the Mason County jail. The old cells are being used for storage.

"History will be lost," said Fleming County resident Joe Kissik. "I really hate to see it going away."

Earlier this year, the county lost its historic court records, which were moved to Frankfort. The loss of the hotel could be another blow, said Prater, who was an archivist at the courthouse.

"We've been raped of our paper history, and now let's destroy our historic buildings," Prater said. "We've just lost so much."

The buildings are a link to Flemingsburg's past, Masters said. When she was a child, her father would tell her stories of the historic buildings they passed when in town.

"What are you going to say when they tear the hotel down?" she asked. "'There use to be a hotel there.'"

Shakeup in store for Danville city hall project (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=37351&format=html)
By Todd Kleffman, Advocate-Messenger [Danville], January 4, 2008

The steering committee directing plans for Danville's administration/police construction project may have different membership before it meets again in 10 days.

The committee agreed Thursday to follow City Commissioner Kevin Caudill's suggestion that he step down and be replaced by either Mayor Hugh Coomer or Commissioner Gail Louis.

That move will be recommended Monday to City Commission, along with the suggestion that Police Chief Jay Newell and Fire Chief Mike Thomas share a spot on the steering committee.

The commission appoints members to the committee and appears likely to follow Caudill's suggestion, since it was seconded by Commissioner Janet Hamner, who also serves on the steering committee.

Caudill's peacemaking gesture is an appeasement to Coomer, who requested last week that he and Louis be appointed to the committee, along with two or three new citizen members.

The original steering committee was appointed in Coomer's absence, and he complained about it publicly. And though he voted to green-light the $4 million construction project, Coomer and Louis both continue to express dissatisfaction with the plan that will add 7,000 square feet of new city offices onto city hall and renovate the existing 16,000-square-foot city hall for use by the police department.

Along with Caudill and Hamner, the steering committee's current members are City Manager Paul Stansbury, City Engineer Earl Coffey, Julie Wagner of Heart of Danville and citizen Jeff Thornton, who works at Farmers National Bank. Architect Monica Sumner of Brandstetter Carroll is lead designer for the project and attends committee meetings.

Coomer and Louis both attended Thursday's committee meeting and played the role of gadflies, questioning the committee's thoughts and actions.

Adding more committee members

Coomer pressed for the addition of more citizen members to the committee.

"I think the perception of the public is that decisions are being made by just a few," the mayor said.

Coffey explained that adding too many members would make the committee unwieldy and make it more difficult to reach a quorum. Anyone can attend the meetings and contribute, even if they don't have a vote, Coffey said.

The committee declined to support Coomer's notion of adding more citizens.

Louis wanted to know about the committee's budget. Coffey said the committee doesn't have a budget because it isn't empowered to spend money, only to make recommendations to the City Commission.

Louis then asked who paid for the committee's trip to northern Kentucky last month to look at municipal/police facilities in five cities to get ideas for Danville's project.

Coffey said a city van was used and the only cost was a tank of gas.

The committee, with Sumner in tow, visited facilities in Erlanger, Newport, Florence, Independence and Fort Wright to find things it liked - and didn't like - as it moves forward with design plans.

A trip to revisit the Erlanger and Independence facilities, which drew the best reviews from committee members, is planned for next Thursday.

Sumner is scheduled to present her first set of drawings that include the committee's suggestions at the Jan. 14 meeting of the steering committee.

Old Stanford police station may be saved (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=36815&format=html)
By Stephanie Schell, Advocate-Messenger [Danville], December 10, 2007
http://www.amnews.com/public_html/photos/00028422-constrain-280x400.jpeg

STANFORD - Since moving in with the fire department this August, it's been up in the air what will happen to the old house that Stanford Police Department once called home.

"The back part is in exceptionally bad condition," Mayor Bill Miracle said at Thursday's city council meeting.

But council members don't want to jump right into tearing down the structure that sits next to City Hall on Main Street.

"I would certainly hate to see it torn down," said Irene Snow Jaggers, who was asked by Miracle to look into the historical aspects of the structure and lot.

The structure has been inspected by Wayne Berry and found to be in poor shape in the back. To determine the soundness of the front, the back would need to be demolished. Some old logs thought to be from the 1800s are part of the house, serving as floor joists, Miracle said.

After some research, Jaggers presented to city council members that the land itself is historical. It is labeled as lot number 14 in documents where Benjamin Logan deeded the land to the city.

Councilman Scottie Ernst said that information combined with the fact it's located on historic Main Street means it serves in the city's best interest to at least keep the land.

Council members seemed to agree that if the structure is not sound enough to make repairs worthwhile, money should not be pumped into it. However, Councilman Eddie Carter suggested tearing down the back to check out the soundness of the front. It may be possible to repair it that way, he said. Councilman Tim Estes thought if all else fails the lot can be used as green space.

Jaggers told council members she thought the building should stand if at all feasible to add to Stanford's historic downtown setting.

Miracle said he wants to get ballpark estimates on how much demolition and repair options will cost, and revisit the topic at next month's meeting at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 3 at Historic Stanford Depot.

Historic downtown building now has new life (http://www.msadvocate.com/morestory.aspx?storiesID=494)
Mt. Sterling Advocate
http://www.msadvocate.com/admin/images/stories/story244.jpg

In an era when America’s downtowns are slowly fading away, replaced by urban sprawl, malls and bypasses around cities, a Mt. Sterling doctor has saved a historic downtown building.

After a year of construction, Dr. Tom McCormick recently opened a new Bank Street office that had been known to many over the years in a number of capacities, including a stint as the office for the Mt. Sterling Advocate.

McCormick said it would have been cheaper to tear down the building, located at 40 S. Bank St., and build over, but he was drawn by its history.

“I’ve been noticing the building for a few years and it looked like an interesting place ... I thought ‘What a great building. I’d hate to see it torn down.’”

The complex that now makes up McCormick’s offices and parking lot actually encompassed two buildings and warehouse space years ago.

The one office building, located to the right, belonged to Carl Reichenbach and housed Ead’s Supply before Reichenbach sold it to the Mt. Sterling Advocate in the mid-1960s, recalls Ronnie Eads of Eads Supply, now located on Winchester Road.

The former Eads building now makes up McCormick’s parking lot.
“I hated to tear it down, but you can’t have a doctor’s office without parking,” McCormick said.

The second building housed a variety of offices over the years beginning in the 1930s.

For years many Montgomery County young adults grudgingly entered the building to report for induction into the Armed Forces at the Selective Service Office, which was housed upstairs.

“It’s a much happier place now,” McCormick said.

The building also served as home to the Montgomery County Extension Service and part of the warehouse area was a government transportation garage, he said.

Later it became home to the Montgomery County Health Department. Below it was a liquor store owned by Eddie Henry, Eads remembers.

That building also sold to the Advocate a few years after the other, Eads said.

The Advocate remodeled the buildings and it remained home to the paper until October 2003, when the operation moved to its current location in the Midland Trail Industrial Park.

Prior to the move the roof at the Bank Street location was leaking and in need of repair.

McCormick said about 40 percent of the sheeting to the roof and a quite a bit of wood on the second floor had to be replaced when he bought the building.

Those upstairs floors now house McCormick’s personal office and another belonging to his wife, Schoen, who operates a business, Medical Claims Review.

There is also a business office, storage area and break room-conference room there.
McCormick has maintained the skylights on the second floor and and put down cork flooring in much of the second floor area. He restored the staircase leading between floors.

On the first floor the reception and business office areas remain roughly where it had been.

The former Advocate publisher’s office at the rear of the building has been replaced by a dictation room where drug samples are also maintained. Several patient rooms are being finished in a former warehouse area where ink and paper had been stored for the Advocate.

The entrance to the building has moved to the parking lot side near Mike’s Auto Parts. It had been at the center.

McCormick said he plans to add a large balcony outside connecting the first and second floors near the entrance. There is already a door exiting on the second floor near the parking lot.

McCormick said he’s excited to be downtown. His office had been in the Ross Drugs building on Foxglove Drive.

“Everybody else is going out to the bypass, but I’ve always liked downtown,” he said. “I grew up downtown and my wife and I live downtown. I just like the idea of moving an office down here. Hopefully that will bring people downtown to see me or see (Schoen). Maybe they will stay downtown to do their shopping or banking.”

East Central targeted for revitalization effort (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_005234733.html)
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, January 5, 2007

http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/images_sizedimage_004161647/xl
^ One of the new homes built during revitalization program on Pollard Ave. in Ashland.

ASHLAND — With the city’s two-year revitalization project in the Pollard Mills neighborhood in full swing, officials are gearing up to expand the program into the East Central neighborhood of Ashland.

Greg Rice, Ashland’s planning and community development director, said East Central is being targeted for a longer and larger scale multimillion dollar revitalization effort. The city hopes to spend approximately $5 to $7 million over a decade in a series of two-year phases.

As in Pollard Mills, the goal is to boost home ownership among low and moderate income households and improve the appearance of the neighborhood to draw in additional economic development.

The Pollard Mills neighborhood was the first of the two target areas designated by the city to receive annual allotments of federal Community Development Block Grant funds and Home Investment Partnership Program funds from the Kentucky Housing Corporation. Pollard was targeted first because of past investments made in the East Central neighborhood and because of its smaller need.

“Pollard is where we went in to get our feet wet. This is going to be larger and more in-depth. Also, you are dealing with a more deteriorating part of town,” Rice said.

The East Central neighborhood is defined as the 11-block area between 25th and Chatteroi streets from Carter Avenue to Montgomery.

Before work can begin in the neighborhood, Rice said, a market analysis is needed to determine the exact locations and scope of the overall project. A study will also help to identify the target market of home buyers along with the size, style and price range of the new homes they are seeking, Rice said.

He added East Central has some significant differences from Pollard Mills — specifically, the age and plot size of homes in the neighborhood — that could require a different approach than was taken in Pollard.

The study, which received initial approval by the Ashland Board of City Commissioners on Thursday, would be completed by Capital Access Inc. and is expected to begin in early February and take several weeks.

Capital Access is based in New Jersey but has a regional consultant in Louisville, according to Rice, and has consulted with cities on numerous similar projects. Rice said Capital Access has already begun shaping Ashland’s plans. Several suggestions made by its consultants during a two-day training session hosted by KHC have already been put into action, he said.

Those included building four-bedroom homes in Pollard Mills and looking at alternative ways to forgive rehabilitation costs.

“They really gave us some great insight into improving revitalization,” Rice said.

The market analysis study will cost $11,500 and will be paid for with KHC funds designated for administrative costs, Rice said. For the past two years, Ashland has received $375,000 from KHC, $25,000 of which are designated for administrative functions.

In 2005, the KHC designated Ashland one of eight focus communities across the state, meaning the city can receive annual allotments of home investment funds without having to compete for them. According to Rice, Ashland can continue to receive the funds annually as long as it is making progress and meeting goals and benchmarks.

Rice said the success of the Pollard project, which is on target to be completed several months earlier than anticipated, could allow the East Central Neighborhood to begin receiving funds for housing redevelopment in the early part of 2009.

Mark J. Offerman, chief financial officer of the Kentucky Housing Corporation, said it is likely Ashland would continue to receive priority funding for the East Central projects because of its success in Pollard.

“The possibility is there,” he said. “Our board still has to set our priorities and allocation of funds for fiscal year 2009. Our goal is not to cut them off and discontinue this process,” Offerman said.

“(The City of Ashland) is taking what we’ve started and expanding it to other areas of the city, which was whole intent of the focus communities program: To create an incubator and catalyst for redevelopment,” he added.

Rice said he believes the East Central project has a greater potential to draw in further investment, not only in the neighborhood but in the entire City of Ashland through retail and business development.

A retail analysis recently completed by Buxton ID identified East Central, along Winchester Avenue, as a potential place for retail development and the city hopes to tie the two projects together by enticing retailers on Buxton’s list of matches to locate there.

Revitalizing neighborhoods through replacement of the housing stock goes hand-in-hand with economic development and population retention, Rice said.

“We think the city has done a great job with its entertainment and arts and restaurants. We want to bring the housing along with all the things that are going on,” he said. “We want to make sure we’ve got our piece of the nice neighborhoods that people want to come to.

“If we can change this side of the town over the next decade we think that would be a really neat thing,” Rice added.

Trail, climate actions passed (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3017512)
By Vince Tweddell, State Journal [Frankfort], December 18, 2007

The City Commission Monday approved two resolutions that will allow for a healthier city by reducing pollution and by building a network of walking and bicycling trails.

With a 5-0 vote, the commission first passed a resolution accepting the report of Walk/Bike Frankfort.

Since February the Walk/Bike group has had a series of public meetings in which citizens have helped prioritize trail projects in the city.

Citizens involved in the meetings voted on their top 10 priorities for a network of interconnected trails all over Frankfort, said Jim Call, who spoke for the group Monday.

The top priority is a five-mile trail called the River View-Cove Spring Loop, which will link downtown to Cove Spring Park. It consists of two phases:

>Phase 1 is a 2.5-mile stretch that would run through River View Park, then along the river and around Buffalo Trace Distillery to Cove Spring Park.

>Phase 2 is a 2.5-mile trail that would run parallel to Holmes Street, along Rouse Avenue and an abandoned railroad bed to tie back into downtown.

The commission also adopted three of four findings of the Mayor's Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Climate Change. This passed by a 5-0 vote.

At a work session last week, the task force promoted four key goals. They include:

>Endorsing the U.S. Mayors Agreement for Climate Protection and committing the city to an ongoing effort to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within city operations and the community overall.

>Establishing a city sustainability coordinator.

>Creating a city energy team to develop an energy management plan.

>Inviting other local institutions to work with the city to create a Partnership for a Green Community and develop a community climate action plan.

Establishing a city sustainability coordinator was left off Monday night's resolution. Concerns were raised last week for establishing this position because the city has a hiring freeze until the fiscal year that begins July 1.

However, Mayor Bill May and Commissioner Doug Howard mentioned they'd like to pursue finding a sustainability coordinator.

Andy McDonald, a task force co-chairman, also said he'd like the city to join the International Council for Local Environmental initiatives. Joining would provide the city a variety of publications and tools, software to track greenhouse gas emissions and possible grants.

The commission approved the $600 joining fee, agreeing it was an administrative cost.

The Mayor's Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Climate Change held six public meetings since July.

If money comes, they'll build it (http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/278663.html)
By Janet Patton, Herald-Leader, January 7, 2008

When you think of Kentucky’s agricultural heritage, tobacco and horses leap to mind – not solar power and green technology.

But what started as a potential museum on farming has evolved into a showcase for the future as well as the past.

The Kentucky Agriculture Heritage Center, scheduled to begin construction in Mercer County in 2010, will be an ambitious display of environmentally friendly sustainable construction in a farm setting.

According to the center, the 300,000-square-foot facility will feature:

n Wind turbines and solar panels to produce 100 percent of the power needed to run the place;

n A geothermal system with high efficiency heat pumps to reduce energy use;

n Automatic controls on lighting to reduce consumption;

n Natural ventilation to aid environmental control;

n A “gray water” system to capture roof runoff for use in the toilets;

n Gravel and grass paving instead of asphalt or concrete to allow surface water to return to ground water;

n A lagoon of ground-filtered water for on-site irrigation.

But to get all this “green design” will take a lot of green of the old-fashioned variety.

The museum, with its television studio, interactive exhibits, convention facilities and full-service indoor and outdoor kitchens, was originally pegged to cost from $24 million to $30 million.

The center’s executive director, Virginia Flanagan, said the innovations probably will push that initial price tag higher, with an eye toward holding future operating costs down.

Donors to the non-profit center have contributed about $5 million, including the 50 acres the center will sit on, according to Flanagan.

The land was donated by Anderson Circle Farm owner Ralph Anderson, whose Cincinnati-based Belcan Corp. is helping design the center.

Margaret Lane, chairwoman of the heritage center’s board, said the non-profit is working on a mix of public, private and corporate funding.

“We’ve been talking to the folks in Washington who are very pleased about the green design,” Lane said. “We’ve had a meeting with the Department of Energy and we have meetings planned with the USDA.”

The center is also talking to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Education about federal funding.

But some money will have to come from the cash-strapped state legislature. The center is approaching state lawmakers, with the backing of the state’s major agriculture groups such as the Kentucky Farm Bureau, commodity groups and others.

The mission of the agriculture center has become more than a livestock petting zoo.

Flanagan said that in talking about sustainability for the facility and in looking seriously at the operational budget, the board realized that the technology is available to use wind, solar and geothermal power to cut energy costs.

But the site, like a lot of places in the United States, probably can’t produce enough of any one kind of energy right now to be self-sustaining, Flanagan said.

So Belcan’s engineers are creating a way to tie the three together, she said.

“We’re incredibly excited,” Flanagan said. She said they hope to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s “Platinum” rating in its LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) system.

Danville parking garage opens Jan. 14 (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=37428&format=html)
By Todd Kleffman, Advocate-Messenger, January 8, 2007

Though it's not officially open, Danville's downtown parking garage was used for its intended purpose for the first time Monday.

Employees of the Ambulatory Surgery Center began using the 390-space facility on Monday. The garage will be open to the public Jan. 14, said City Engineer Earl Coffey.

"By next Monday, the contractor should be gone," Coffey said Monday.

That means the fencing and other construction-related inconveniences that have tied up traffic on Third Street for months will be gone by this weekend. Walnut Street, which had been closed during construction, reopened Saturday night, Coffey said.

On Monday night, Danville City Commission adopted the rates and operating procedures for the parking facility.

You will be able to browse the spots, or make a quick stop, for up to 15 minutes at no charge. If you stay from 16 to 240 minutes, it will cost you $3 to park. The rate for all-day parking will be $5.

Those rates apply on Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. After-hours and weekend use of the facility is free.

Resident Carl Boeckman complained about the rates to the commission Monday night, saying "$3 for 16 minutes seems high to me."

Boeckman also didn't like the fact that if a driver pays to park in the garage, then leaves, and comes back, he would have to pay again.

Burgin to annex old distillery (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=37459&format=html)
By Ann R. Harney, Advocate-Messenger, January 9, 2007

BURGIN - City officials gave final approval Tuesday night to the annexation of 28 acres of land at 865 Shakertown Road where the old Dowling Distillery is located.

Councilwoman Mary Margaret Heaton asked her fellow council members to table the issue for at least a month while a more thorough report could be done on the content of some of the buildings, especially the amount of asbestos.

Heaton and George Hensley, supervisor of the water department, disagreed about the quantity of the cancer-causing material used in old buildings, pipes and, in this case, around the old boiler in the distillery.

Heaton is concerned that once the property is annexed, any liability attached to the property could become the city's problem, and she wants the property cleaned up before it becomes part of the city.

Jim Whitlock of WHP Enterprises owns the property. His brother Steve represented him at the City Council meeting.

He and Councilman Terry Pitman hope the city can get a grant to use the property for recreation, at least adding a walking trail, and Whitlock said those interested in the history of distilleries in Kentucky find the old distillery worth saving.

Heaton said she would like to see the old buildings preserved, but unless someone undertakes to restore them soon, they are likely not savable.

"I'd love to save it, but it's not going to happen," she said. "I think this is not the smart thing for us to do."

Annexation for tax revenue

Hensley said he did not see any contamination, but also said the boiler was wrapped in asbestos. He and Pitman said the city needs the tax revenue that the property annexation will provide.

The old Bourbon distillery was built in the 1920s. Heaton's concerns apparently fell on deaf ears because the annexation was given final approval.

The last issue of the meeting also was raised by Heaton, who asked the council to consider using guidelines set forth by the Greater Harrodsburg/Mercer County Planning and Zoning Commission for future development.

The zoning panel covers all of Mercer County except Burgin, the only part of the county that does not subscribe to planning and zoning.

Heaton asked that the issue be put on the agenda for the February meeting. She said she would like P&Z Executive Director Shawn Moore to speak to the council.

Her suggestion that Burgin be part of the county plan was met with almost immediate disagreement.

"Nobody is going to tell me what to do with my property," said Councilwoman Christine McGrath. "They shouldn't be able to cram something down our throats that we don't want."

Heaton did not give up or give in. She repeatedly asked that the subject be added to the agenda of the next meeting, and, she said, "It can't hurt to have Shawn Moore to come over."

First post besides Seicer. Yes. :banana: :lol:

Wyldwood plans continue on schedule (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/01/11/local_news/1715wyldwood.txt)
By Owen McNeill, Ledger Independent, January 10, 2008

Wyldwood project leaders Jim Barry and Dr. Thomas VanGalder said Tuesday plans for the $500 million development slated for Mason County are right on schedule.

The pair asked local residents to use patience and common sense when dealing with rumors which may be circulating about the project.

According to Barry and VanGalder, deed closings on properties will continue as scheduled, beginning Jan. 28, and work on the White Manor Hotel will commence in mid-February.

"We have all of the land under contract that we need and had planned for currently. There is still some property out there we are interested in, but we have everything in place we need," VanGalder said. "We have accesses from the AA Highway, Route 11, Forest Avenue and Orangeburg Road locked up. We have been very pleased with the projects progression up to this point."

Speculation and rumor were swirling in September of last year about large parcels of land being purchased in areas of Mason County near Clarks Run Road and Stonelick Road.

By mid-September, a "spectacular residential community development" project was announced by Maysville native Barry, who recently returned to the area, along with VanGalder of Atlanta, Ga., Realtor Bill Kachler also worked to help secure local property.

By late November, the project had a name; Wyldwood Kentucky. Initial plans for the proposed resort community consists of four property assemblages; a 2,040-acre hunting preserve with lodge and cabins along Clarks Run Road, a 76-acre marina and RV park on the Ohio River, 2,694 acres for a Hilltop Village property located off Stonelick Road and Kentucky 9, and the long-closed White Manor Hotel in downtown Maysville, which will be restored as closely to its original condition as possible.

In addition to private residences, the project will boast retail shops, restaurants, hotels, conference and convention facilities, spas, clubs and several entertainment offerings, developers said.

Barry and VanGalder were not surprised recent rumors had arisen about the validity of the project.

VanGalder said, "I was born and raised in a smaller community not unlike Maysville. If something like this happened there I would be naturally skeptical as well. It is such a large project that it's hard for people to wrap their minds around."

"We could do an article about some of the rumors that have been circulating. All the closing are going off without a hitch beginning the 28th of this month and all will be financed. There will be no dry closings," Barry said.

"Just the other day, someone said they heard Tom had disappeared. Well, as you can plainly see, Tom is right here, in the flesh," Barry added.

Barry said he believes some of the rumors can be traced to his recent absence from the area due to health concerns.

"I have had some health problems recently that have caused me to not be able to travel as much as I would like but it certainly has not held up any progress," said Barry.

The said property closings are planned for subsequent dates following the Jan. 28 initial date.

The schedule was confirmed Thursday, by Caroline Mackie, real estate executive with head developer Steve Presson's firm.

"Our schedule has not changed one bit. We are closing on the White Manor Hotel on (Jan. 28) and after the tenant vacates that property, work will begin in mid-February. We are as excited, if not more so, then when we initially proposed the plan last year."

Mackie continued, "We currently have architects and environmental engineers on the ground now doing studies. A survey crew has been working unbelievable hours to prepare."

Barry said many people have been so helpful in Maysville.

"We truly do appreciate how many people have wanted and offered to help," said Barry. "Individuals like Mike Denham, Judge Gallenstein, John Estill and many others have been so helpful that we really don't know where we would be without them. We hope and ask that people curb their skepticism until after these closings are completed and at least give us a chance."

Barry said, "I think people need to remember that we didn't ask for any concessions from local governments for this project. People in the community have already received hundreds of thousands of dollars in non-refundable down payments. That's money that these people are already spending. The only money at risk in this project is ours and Steve's. I think in three weeks people will know and feel much more confident on the project proceeding. We just ask that people use patience and common sense to mix with their natural skepticism."

Barry and VanGalder did state they would love to hear from anyone in the community with any historical photographs of the White Manor Hotel.

"Bill Boggs has provided so many helpful photos. He has really been great and we would ask that anyone else who might have interior shots of the historic hotel to submit them to us," Barry said.

In a previous interview, Presson said work will commence first on the White Manor Hotel and what he called the amenity base of the Hilltop Village.

Presson referred to the White Manor project as the "easiest to get started on" and said he expects to have the first floor operational as office space for the Wyldwood Development Group team within seven to eight months.

Plans for the building include restoration of the second floor as the hotel lobby and the upper floors will be taken back to hotel rooms.

The historic hotel is currently used as warehouse space for McRoberts Furniture.

Kevin McRoberts, owner of the downtown furniture store said he wasn't interested in selling the building when he was first approached.

"It's just too handy to have storage right across from the store," McRoberts said. But eventually he relented and agreed.

"I remember the team came in and told me what their plans were and I just knew I couldn't stand in the way of something so good for the downtown area. They have been great working with me. I feel totally confident that the closings will go through without a hitch and I am truly excited for Maysville," McRoberts said

McRoberts showed off the interior of the historic hotel Thursday.

"As you can see, we really don't use these upper floors and they have remained almost pristine to how they were back when it was operational," McRoberts said.

" I decided that Maysville has been awfully good to me and my family and that I wasn't about to stand in the way of such an exciting project. I truly believe this thing is for real. It's hard to grasp the immense nature of it all, I know, but I really believe these people will do what they say." McRoberts said.

Commissioners looking for help with MCTC, Cox Building (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/01/11/local_news/1716commission.txt)
By Marla Toncray, Ledger Independent, January 10, 2008

During its regular monthly commission meeting, Maysville City Commissioners passed several resolutions for applications to state and federal grant programs in support of the Maysville Community and Technical College and for restoration of the Cox Building.

Cara Clarke, director of Resource Development for MCTC attended Thursday's meeting to ask the city's support for two grants which would create a one-mile walking trail and an arboretum on the college campus.

Clarke said the college has received monetary commitments of $10,000 to begin the walking trail project and plans to apply for state grant funds which support recreational trail programs for completion of the project. However, before applying for the grant, MCTC needed the city's commitment of $25,000 for the project. The projected cost of the project is $100,000 and will eventually connect the campus to the AMVETS Memorial Park located on Kentucky 9 across from Meadowview Regional Medical Center, as well as providing walking access to the Mason County Intermediate School.

The college is also seeking federal grant funds for the arboretum project through the 2008 Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is a 50/50 matching fund program. No project cost was given for the project.

Commissioners passed two resolutions supporting the grant applications; $25,000 for the walking trail and monetary support up to $75,000 for the arboretum project.

The commission also approved a resolution to apply for a Save America's Treasures grant for restoration of the Cox Building in downtown. According to City Manager Ray Young, the maximum amount awarded through the program is $1 million and the city will apply for the full amount.

Young said Sen. Mitch McConnell's office has offered support for the project after visiting Maysville last year for a tour of the building.

In other business, the commission:

• Discussed reinstatement of the two-hour parking restriction in downtown Maysville, which was lifted in November at the request of business owners for the holiday season. Young told commission members there are now problems with business owners and employees parking in front of downtown businesses all day, restricting the availability of parking for paying customers.

Commission agreed to draft a plan to reinstate the two-hour limit, with enforcement of parking tickets handled through the city's codes enforcement office rather than going through Mason County District Court.

• Heard from a group of concerned citizens from Valley View Subdivision regarding the need for additional street lighting in the neighborhood. The request came as a result of recent burglaries in the area. The residents informed commissioners a neighborhood watch program has been initiated in conjunction with the Maysville Police Department.

:banana: Squirrel is here: http://www.maniacworld.com/squirrel-vs-penguin.htm :D

Barbourville to boost tourism (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_010100714.html)
By Heather Cole, Times Tribune, January 10, 2007

Tourism is a lucrative investment that cities are taking advantage of — and Barbourville is making strides to increase public awareness of what its historic little town has to offer both the seasoned traveler and the local interest seekers.

“Tourism in Barbourville is really becoming an important entity to the city and the county,” said Betty Cole, director of the Barbourville Tourism Commission.

“I think each year that we work with tourism and with community organizers and other groups makes everyone aware of the difference that tourism can make in a community. In 2006, according to the Kentucky State Tourism figures, Knox County brought in $17 million. That’s a lot of money to put into a community. If we all focus and work together to create even more tourism events and locations for people to enjoy, this number can grow — and when that number grows, it benefits the entire community, and that’s what we’re looking for,” said Cole

Cole said 2007 was an eventful and successful year for the community and hopes it continues to grow with each new idea and potential project.

“This past year we had our third Redbud Festival, which is becoming a very successful festival in Barbourville,” Cole said. Hosted on the campus of Union College, the Redbud Festival features events for people of any age, from homemade barbeque to early morning races.

“For the quilters at heart, we have quilting classes with nationally known quilting instructors that come in to teach those classes,” Cole said. “We have a crafters mall that brings in a lot of local crafters but also crafters from outside the city. Along with those crafters we have retail businesses that sell quilting supplies.

Cole said the city is also utilizing the community’s military history to increase tourism to the area.

“This year we were awarded funding through Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism and Development Association for a city project. There was a $100,000 award, a $50,000 award and several $10,000 awards, and we were second place so we got the $50,000,” Cole said. “It’s called the CITY (Community Initiatives in Tourism for Your) project and the project that we applied for was the Civil War Historical Development project that we’ve got going on in Barbourville.”

The money will create a Civil War interpretive park where the Battle of Barbourville took place at the corner of what is now Cumberland Avenue and Daniel Boone Drive. The city annually hosts a Civil War reenactment of the Battle of Barbourville. It has grown every year into a representation of the city’s past, bringing history alive for those who attend the event. Cole said the city also plans to add a Civil War mural to the park to illustrate the Battle of Barbourville.

“We’re so pleased to have the funding to showcase the history of our city that needs to be showcased,” Cole said. “I think the Civil War history in Barbourville is a big draw because Civil War history seems to be gaining interest. Lots of people follow Civil War trails, do research, and us being in a prime location, which is along the Wilderness Road, and having that first Civil War battle in Kentucky here in Barbourville would really showcase us a whole lot.”

Cole said the city plans to continue developing ways to emphasize the community’s role during the Civil War, but also take care of some of the city’s already existing landmarks.

“One of the other focuses of tourism is the historic H.H. Owens house that we’re working on renovating and putting back in use,” Cole said.

Knox County Chamber of Commerce purchased The Owens House in 2004 and it has been under several renovations to turn it into a community welcome center. During the summer of 2007, however, restoration plans were halted due to fire damage. An award of $150,000 from the Kentucky Heritage Council will help restore the building to its former prominence.

“Getting some funding through the Kentucky Heritage Council and Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association was a boost. It was like a shot in the arm,” Cole said. “When you have some money, then it seems like other monies can be matched with it, and it makes things a lot easier.”

“For the future, for 2008, of course we want to finish the projects we’ve started this past year,” Cole said. “We really want to finish these projects, the Owens House, the Civil War interpretive park, the mural project, we want to complete those in 2008 if it is at all possible to have them done this year.

“Of course again this year we’ve got the lawnmower race scheduled for the last Saturday in April. Our Fourth Annual Redbud Festival is scheduled for April 10, 11, and 12. The Bluegrass Festival is coming up again,” Cole said. “We will apply for additional funding again this year for ‘Paint the Town’ and the CITY Project. We will continue to apply for additional funds for the Owens House project for additional work to get that building finished. We will continue to work on our downtown.

“Going after funding sources is very important to all of our projects and that’s one of the things we’re going to be concentrating on this coming year,” Cole said. “I think people are becoming more aware of what tourism can do for the community and we’re all working toward the same goal, and that’s to make Knox County and Barbourville a great place to live and also for visitors and travelers to come and enjoy.”

Old Haldeman School bought (http://www.journal-times.com/local/local_story_010110810.html)
By Tonie Noe, Journal Times [Grayson], January 10, 2008

January 3, 2007 — The deal is complete and now the Haldeman/Hayes Crossing community is the proud owner of the old Haldeman School.

“Save Haldeman High School”…Those were the words from many folks in the Hayes/Haldeman area of Rowan County who wanted to see what’s left of the burned school turned into a community center.

And that’s just what is going to happen after the final deal is signed Friday at the Citizens Bank of Morehead, said Lloyd Dean.

At the price of $30,000 the school will be turned into what the folks in the Hayes/Haldeman area always wanted – for community functions and emergency shelter.

“The main community events will possibly be the annual community reunions which are held the last weekend of July,” Dean said. “Also, family reunions, weddings, wedding anniversaries, benefits, memorial services, gym events and possibly organizing a Boy and Girl Scout troop.”

Former owner of the building, Emily Ball, decided on the price after the building – with the exception of the gymnasium – was nearly destroyed by fire in September. But due to extensive damage, the cause of the fire was never determined.

“A full-size gym is still in fair condition which will hold thousands of people in case of an emergency such as the ice storm a few years ago,” Dean commented. “Reworking the gym will have to be done, before we can start using it for functions. Once we have purchased the old school building, it’s estimated with donated help another $70,000 to rebuild the school area. Any help that we might receive would be deeply appreciated, since we are depending on donations, fundraisers and voluntary labor alone for the restoration of this building.”

Dean said they also would be applying for future grants to help in the funding. He said no salaries would be paid to any individuals and the main expenses would be electric, fuel insurance and maintenance of the building.

After Friday’s closing of the deal, Dean said the next step would be to ask for donations to help in restoring the building.

“On Jan. 1, letters will go out to the community and anyone who may have attended school here,” Dean commented. “Those letters will ask for donations. In fact, I had a lady give us $1,000 the other day in order to help us.”

Haldeman/Hayes Crossing Community Center, Inc officials include:

Tom Stevens, president; Don Johnson, first-vice president; Ellis Johnson, second-vice president; Thomas L. May, treasurer; Heather Utterback, secretary; Lloyd Dean, agent.

The 14-member board consists of Thomas L. May, Jerome D. Bowen, Oscar C. Williams, Mike Patrick, Don Johnson, Lloyd Dean, Lansford May, Heather Utterback, William Utterback, Rosemary Johnson, Donna Burdick, Tom Stevens, Jr. and Ellis Johnson.

To send donations write Treasurer Thomas L. May at 550 Triple L Road, Morehead.

Senff building demolished (http://www.themoreheadnews.com/homepage/local_story_002143511.html)
By Vanessa Overholser, Morehead News, January 2, 2008

http://www.themoreheadnews.com/homepage/images_sizedimage_002140048/xl
^ Morehead State University's historical pool building is in the process of being torn down. The building was established in 1933 and it was used until 1988. The Solid Rock Construction Company, West Portsmouth, Ohio, is working on the demolition of the old building. This disassembly began Dec. 27 and the process is expected to be completed within 2 weeks. The historical landmark is located behind the university president’s home.

Some say it's a sad thing that the Senff pool building is being demolished. Some say it served its purpose. Like all good things, the life of the Senff Natatorium must come to an end.

Jack Ellis is a retiree of Morehead State University's (MSU) Camden-Carroll Library. Ellis is also a local historian in Morehead who has personal memories and ties to the Senff pool building. He is one who believes the building has served its time.

“I'm trying to be a practical historian. I don't see a use for an old swimming pool if there is a new one,” Ellis said “It has served its purpose. We do have a new pool. It's a state of the art pool . . . even though it leaks. So they tell me.”

Ellis said, “The old pool never leaked a drop.”

He said the pool has been closed for 30 years. He stated nobody seemed to miss it. He added he thought many probably never noticed the building or even entered it.

He said he would rather see them not use it and tear it down rather than using it as a museum. Ellis isn't sure how it could be used as a museum.

The building was located behind the university president's home across from Adron Doran University Center (ADUC).

“The Senff Natatorium was built by my wife's uncle Jess Boggess,” Ellis said.

The building was first envisioned in April 1932, according to Ellis. He said MSU President John Payne had full support of the board of regents on his idea for the building. Payne and his colleagues hired an architectural firm Joseph and Joseph to design the blue prints for the building. The board of regents put the idea to a vote in favor of constructing the facility.

Ellis added, “The Morehead Lumber Company had the contract to work on it. Hony Rice was the on-campus engineer who was in charge. He was the engineer for 50 years.”

Ellis said the project was a cooperative venture. He said Morehead Lumber Company wanted to get more people to work. He added that United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt had a charter to build things.

According to Ellis, structures the government sponsored had to be of historical, cultural, educational and long-lasting value. The project was under a federal program entitled Works Projects Administration or WPA.

“Labor was intensive. The powered equipment was crude then. The equipment that was used were rugged steam shovels,” Ellis said. “The Natatorium was built with mules and scoops. No power equipment to dig for the basement and the foundation.”

Construction for the building took about a year to complete. It was June 22,1933 when the Natatorium was completed.

Many have described the building as being “state of the art” and “most beautiful of the swimming pools in the South.” The architectural design was of the Norman period, chosen to match other buildings on campus.

“The Natatorium was dedicated to the ideal of a clean and vigorous youth,” Ellis said. It was this ideal that inspired the inscription on the cemented section above the entrance to the brick building.

Ellis shared some childhood memories of the building.

“When we were growing up, Breckenridge was a 12-grade elementary school to train teachers.” He said, “The school was established in 1931 to 1981. Back then, student teachers were called practice teachers. These practice teachers would come to our classes

to observe them.”

“As a requirement to go to the school you had to attend summer school,” he said.

Everyday when classes were over student s were allowed to buy a swimming ticket for $1 to go swimming in the Natatorium.

“It was a big deal back then. Everybody was so enthusiastic about it,” Ellis said. “Everybody in the community could come in and use it.”

Billy Withrow is a foreman of the Solid Rock Construction Company from West Portsmouth, Ohio. He said the building needed to be torn down.

“It cost more to refurbish it then to demolish it. It was a beautiful facility,” Withrow said.

Richard Patrick is an Information Technology Consultant at MSU. He had fond memories of being a kid and swimming in the pool, he said.

“I wish they could refurbish it. Especially with it being a historical landmark,” Patrick said.

“It's sad to see it go. We used to go swimming in it every summer. I graduated in 1972. Breck students were able to swim in it everyday. It was a great pool. I liked it better than the new one,” Patrick said.

“It was a treat to walk to the Breck after P.E. class. We would go swimming and when we would walk back to Breck our hair would freeze,” Patrick said.

The demolition process started last week. The process is to be complete within two weeks of the starting date.

Flemingsburg Hotel will be spared the wrecking ball (http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/287948.html)
By Jillian Ogawa, Herald-Leader, January 16, 2008

The historic Flemingsburg Hotel will not be torn down.

The project development board for the new Fleming County Judicial Center decided Tuesday night to look at another site to build, said Brad Harn, who attended the meeting and is a local historian who did not want the hotel to be torn down.

The historic hotel is in a national historic district and also was a place where Civil War spy James J. Andrews lived as a house painter.

A marker about Andrews' raid of disrupting Confederate rail operations is outside the hotel. "As far as having a history behind it, it's one of the best buildings," Harn said.

New day for the Old Y (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3151971)
By Vince Tweddell, State Journal, January 16, 2008

For less than a cup of coffee, local preservationist John Gray bought the Old Y building on Bridge Street.

On Dec. 31, Gray took ownership of the long-deteriorating - but historically significant - property for $1, he said.

"I guess I was willing to buy it for a dollar because it was a fair price," Gray said with a chuckle during a Monday phone interview. "I didn't try to argue him out of it."

However, the rehabilitation of the structure won't be a laughing matter. Gray, who's also elbow-deep in rehabbing the fire-damaged buildings that housed the Downtown Bar and Tink's Bar-B-Q, estimated it'll take $2.5 million to complete his plans for the Old Y.

Those plans have not changed from his original vision for the project. They include renovating the second and third floors into condominiums, while using the first floor for a restaurant and for banquets and meetings.

Bob Ehrler, who's owned the building since 1989, declined comment on the price he offered, saying he'd rather Gray speak about the deal. "It kind of speaks for itself," Ehrler said.

Ehrler, a Louisville resident, said he's worked with several developers over the years in attempts to rehab the structure. But after coming close several times, he could never get deals worked out, he said.

In September, city commissioners directed city staff to pursue demolition of the property because they said Ehrler hadn't made the city aware of any plans to rehab it.

About a month later, commissioners backed off the demolition plans after Gray spoke to them, saying he had plans to purchase and rehab the building.

Gray said work at the Old Y will probably begin in early to mid-March.

Meanwhile across the bridge on St. Clair Street, workers continue to redo the Downtown Bar, which should be open March 1, Gray said. Work will begin in earnest at Tink's the first of February, he said.

Architectural review board continues consideration of sizable expansion (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=37645&format=html)
By Bobbie Curd, Advocate-Messenger, January 16, 2008

In an attempt to expand the district it covers, the Danville Architectural Review Board met Tuesday to review and update the existing design guidelines created several years ago to govern the board's actions. Chairman John Wilson has said more than once he wants the board to be prepared for what it may be responsible for in the very near future.

During the first meeting held in December to introduce and explain what the expansion meant to the community, the board heard some residents and business owners who were concerned and confused about the board's role. Wilson told the crowd the review board is a city-appointed body that watches over renovations or building plans that can be seen from the street.

The existing district consists of a little more than two city blocks of Main Street buildings, from North Second Street to about a third of the West Main Street block, only including the city hall side of street. The proposed district is immensely larger, with boundaries from Broadway, to South Fifth Street, and just beyond Kentucky School for the Deaf, at J.E. Woods Drive, for example.

"When we expand the district, if the district gets expanded, this will be impacting a lot more people," Wilson said. The six board members present were thoroughly examining the verbiage in the guidelines, making sure certain directions and restrictions could not be taken out of context, and eliminating areas they found to be contradictory.

Wilson objects to guidelines

As the board approached certain guidelines such as replacing "rounded gutters with a style of the same," for example, Wilson said he felt some of the guidelines are too restrictive.

"Remember, we're taking on several new buildings in addition to what we already have in downtown," Wilson said. He also told the board that "times change," and restrictions about what types of windows can be used could conflict with energy efficiency attempts the general public has been making for some time.

"Just be prepared - we'll be dealing with these types of things more and more," Wilson said.

As the topic of demolition came up, board member Ken Medaris briefly touched on Centenary United Methodist Church's opposition to being included in the district. Several church officials and members appeared at December's meeting and spoke vehemently against any board control over their South Third Street building, even quoting federal laws and stating the church should be exempt from the guidelines of the district.

No decisions were made on the exemption request, and the board said issues would be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Bridgette Milby, director of code enforcement for the city, said changes will be made to the design guideline booklet and the board will advertise a second public hearing. Maps of the new boundaries that would be included in the extended district, as well as copies of the guidelines, will be available for the public.

The hearing is tentatively planned for sometime in February, Milby said, and any changes resulting from public input will be included on a finalized version. The guidelines must be approved by Danville-Boyle County Planning and Zoning, as well as the city commission.

New building codes will likely drive up cost of expo center $90,000 (http://www.corbinnewsjournal.com/index.php?fn=stories&front=Array&detail=1200579239)
By: Trent Knuckles, Corbin Journal, January 17, 2008

Possibly already $3 million over budget, the Corbin City Commission got some more unwelcome news Monday regarding the price tag of the Southeast Kentucky Agriculture and Exposition Center - it likely will go up another $90,000.

Todd Saddler of Branscum Construction, Project Manager over construction of the 5,000-seat arena told the city's Board of Commissioners Monday that new building codes are going to require thicker insulation in the center. He said site supervisors didn't know about the change until they received a letter from state inspectors through the normal building approval process.

The changes were actually made by legislators in 2006, but didn't take effect until mid-2007.

"The way the state implements things, we weren't really aware of it until 2007 through our submittal process," Saddler said. "We have to add insulation to the building to meet the requirements ... It's something before we get final approval we will have to have."

The thicker insulation serves to ensure a more energy efficient building, Saddler said. New construction codes are requiring structures that have a lower environmental impact.

Saddler said in his experience, it was "unheard of" to require RU-30 grade insulation in commercial buildings.

"That's what we have in our houses and it usually doesn't apply to commercial construction and facilities like that."

Saddler said he knew about the issue in November and had been seeking cost estimates on installation of the insulation.

The extra expense is worrisome because the city only has about $15 million banked to cover construction costs. After final bids for construction were received last year, the project was already $300,000 over budget. Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney said last week he expects final cost of the center, after construction management fees, to be anywhere between $16 and $18 million.

The center is an entirely state-funded project. With current Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear vowing painful cuts to the state's budget to address an expected revenue shortfall, local leaders are worried the project may be under funded. That would either cause a halt to construction when money runs out, or force the city to borrow money to finish the building.

Some commissioners were on edge Monday regarding the increased cost.

Commissioner Dennis Lynch said it was unfair to allow construction to begin, and then change the rules midstream.

"I don't see how they can let us start a building and come along the day after tomorrow and get another letter telling us we need to do something," Lynch said. "$90,000 is a lot of money."

Saddler said all approvals on the building so far were "conditional" and contained a number of items that needed to be addressed.

Lynch requested a copy of the most recent conditional approval letter and said city leaders needed the opportunity to call state officials regarding the issue.

City Manager Bill Ed Cannon at first suggested the commission vote to approve funding for the added insulation without a formal change order. Commissioners balked at that idea, noting they could meet at any time to approve funding if necessary.

Saddler said a month's inaction would stall the project.

Cannon said improved insulation would make the building more energy efficient, essentially allowing the city to recoup the up front cost with utility savings.

Ashland City Commission: Have a plan or tear it down (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_017222124.html)
Developer Perry Madden given March timetable to make decision about building
By Mike James, The Independent, January 18, 2008

ASHLAND — Now that he has the OK to go ahead with a downtown housing project on Winchester Avenue, developer Perry Madden hopes he can also move ahead soon with renovation of the former Sears building.

However, he won’t have much time to make a decision on the six-story landmark, which has lain dormant for years at the corner of Winchester Avenue and 17th Street.

The city is pressing Madden to come up with a firm plan by the beginning of March or else tear it down.

“This is a real immediate concern of ours that this project gets going and that corner of town gets looking better,” said Mayor Steve Gilmore on Thursday when Madden talked to the city commission about the project.

Madden said he has just received the go-ahead from the Kentucky Housing Authority to construct a 40-unit apartment building for low-income senior citizens on the site that once housed the J.C. Penney buildings.

Waiting for the approval had been holding him back from planning work on the Sears building.

By March he should have estimates for restoring the building’s facade, which was left scarred after a 1960s-era facade was removed several years ago.

If the estimates are in his price range, he’ll do the restoration and find a tenant for the ground floor, he said. Decisions on what to do with upper floors will come later.

A start date also depends on availability of materials, which he should know by March, he said.

Even unrestored, the steel-reinforced concrete structure is sound, he said. At one time it was designated a bomb shelter.

However, as it stands, there is concern of debris falling from the damaged facade, Gilmore said.

Madden said he was unaware of anything falling but would take care of any such problems.

If Madden isn’t ready by March to get the project moving, the city could start condemnation proceedings, Gilmore said.

Madden said that wouldn’t be necessary, that he would take the building down on his own if renovation isn’t feasible.

Madden has owned all the property on the south side of the 1700 block of Winchester since acquiring the Henry Clay House in 1998.

He bought the Sears building in 1990 and acquired the J.C. Penney buildings in 1997.

His original plan called for placing elder housing in the Sears building but complications and cost increases prompted him to come up with the idea of a new building sandwiched between the Sears and Henry Clay buildings.

Former MMI would become international boarding school (http://www.kentucky.com/454/story/293617.html)
By Jillian Ogawa, Herald-Leader, January 22, 2008
See also: MMI at Abandoned (http://www.abandonedonline.net/index.php?catid=326)

Small-town isolation may not seem attractive to most teen-agers, but it's among the selling points of an international boarding school being planned for Millersburg.

A committee headed by Steve Weherley of Georgetown hopes to turn the vacant Millersburg Military Institute building into the Kentucky International Boarding Academy, which would focus on high school students from abroad.

The town of 842 people would be a good environment to help students focus on their education, Weherley said, more than large cities that international students tend to gravitate to.

"When we mean 'isolation,' we don't mean deprived; we mean protected," added Ted O'Connell, an MMI alumnus and former board member who is also assisting Weherley.

The former MMI building has been vacant since summer 2006. The school had suffered years of financial decline and was reincarnated for a few months as Forest Hill Prep Academy before it was shut down. The Deposit Bank of Carlisle now owns the building.

The dozen-member committee led by Weherley includes several people who formerly worked at MMI, including Mark Sifford of Cynthiana, who was MMI's president and academic dean, and Russ Day, a former athletic director and basketball coach. Weherley contacted them because of their education experience.

Weherley came up with the idea of an international boarding school when he was visiting in-laws in China. He found that many international students want to attend secondary school in the United States to learn English and prepare for U.S. colleges, he said.

When international students attend U.S. colleges, they often struggle with learning American culture, college life and English, he said.

"With a large foreign population in our student body, we would be equipped to help transition those students to high school to college," he said. Weherley said he already has received inquiries from families and students from abroad, as well as in Kentucky.

Plans call for the school to have 100 day students and 100 boarded students, most from abroad. Classes could start as early as fall 2009. The boarding school plans to offer International Baccalaureate and advanced placement classes.

Under Day's direction, the school plans to have a strong basketball program, which also could attract international students. About half of MMI's basketball team members were from abroad, and many went on to play for college teams, Day said.

The school also hopes to offer students an extracurricular equine program in cooperation with other Kentucky colleges and the local horse industry.

Kentucky's only other boarding schools are church institutions: Oakdale Christian Academy in Jackson and Oneida Baptist Institute in Oneida.

"His concept for an international boarding school in this part of the country is great," Sifford said. "To bring in high-end academics with an international flavor would bring a lot of prestige into this area."

O'Connell thinks one of the reasons for MMI's decline was that military high schools are now viewed as too restrictive.

Forest Hill Preparatory School was an effort to transition from a military-focused school, but it was hard to do that without first shutting down, O'Connell said. Starting the international boarding school "is more of a clean sheet of paper without legacy issues," he said.

Committee members, who plan to host a town meeting in Paris, want more input from the community and involvement from people who can share their expertise.

"It's a long process, and it takes a lot of people who want to get involved and have similar visions," Weherley said.

Developer eliminates Phase 2 of project (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_022225951.html)
First winding down for Providence Hill, third may still materialize
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, January 22, 2008

ASHLAND — Construction is winding down on the successful first phase at Providence Hill, but a groundbreaking on Phase two might never happen.

According to Lexington developer Fred Burns, an Ashland native, the plans to build an eight-story upscale condominium complex have been scrapped because of a lack of potential buyers. The 47 one- to three-bedroom condominiums were expected to range from $300,000 to more than $400,000.

Burns said the price appeared to be “a little steep for the Ashland market ... so we decided it would not be a good idea to move forward on that.”

The third and final phase of the project — a 60,000- to 90,000-square foot retail development — is also in jeopardy of failing to come to fruition but for different reasons.

Burns said the company has been waiting for more than three years for state approval to build an additional access road to the property. The road would be a continuation of River Hill Drive at its intersection with U.S. 23 and provide access to the shopping complex.

“The state is not moving forward,” Burns said. “I don’t really know what is stopping it.”

Burns said he and Ashland Mayor Steve Gilmore have been working to set up a meeting this month with officials at the Transportation Cabinet to further discuss the project.

“We need to have an opening there by Wal-Mart,” he said. “The system won’t work out without an opening. If we can’t get that, we’ll probably kill that project also.”

Burns added he is optimistic the project will be approved. “It looks pretty positive at this time,” he said.

Gilmore confirmed his involvement in the process, saying he would continue to advocate for development of the third phase. He described the project as “a quality-of-life issue,” saying the retail development would bring jobs and tax revenues to the city along with the added amenities.

Despite the failure of Phase two to get off the ground and the potential set back on Phase three, Burns said he has been pleased with the success of the project so far.

Construction on the remaining apartment buildings in Phase one is expected to be completed in the next month. It included 214 apartments in nine buildings. Burns said occupancy is high in the completed buildings — above 90 percent.

Burns bought the 55-acre property in 2004 for $700,000 from local resident Paul Sanders.

Maysville Riverpark would be located in Wylwood trade (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/01/25/local_news/1669wylwoodtrade.txt)
By Owen McNeill, Ledger Independent, January 24, 2008

In a special meeting Thursday, Maysville City Commission approved a resolution concerning a developmental option for the Maysville Riverpark.

The resolution calls for the exploration of a land trade which would enable the Wyldwood development team to purchase the current Maysville Riverpark and develop that property into a marina for the private use of the proposed Wyldwood Development in exchange for similar facilities constructed on the old landfill property which is just east of the current riverpark.

In essence, the developers will receive the Riverpark property for use in the proposed multimillion dollar development project primarily for its location if, and only if, they develop similar amenities for the public on the old landfill property. The new city property will include a enclosed pavilion structure as well.

The resolution calls for the city to have the riverpark appraised at the Wyldwood developer's expense and facilities to be constructed of equal value on the landfill property. The two entities, provided they come to an agreement, will subsequently trade the two properties, allowing for any additional value to be exchanged later.

Maysville Mayor David Cartmell sees only positives for the city in the deal.

"I think this will be a net gain for Maysville. It will certainly be a great thing for recreation in Maysville. Residents will get an indoor pavilion, a boat launch and five times the amount of camping space," Cartmell said. "Residents need to understand that we will trade the current park and be able to use what is currently vacant land. There are very few suitable uses for that property out there and this just happens to be one of them."

In an interview Thursday, Jim Barry, spokesperson for the proposed Wyldwood development said his plans are right on target.

"This is a win-win for Maysville as a whole," Barry said. "Our plans are proceeding well."

Barry also revealed that instead of numerous closings on subsequent days beginning Monday, developers will hold one major closing on or before Jan. 31.

"Our desire, and it's more logistics than anything else, is to close everything on one day. People need to understand that we have a total of 80 to 100 properties, some involving trades, some involving two or three parties. The contracts dated the 28th we have just requested short extensions on to make sure our Ts are crossed and our I's are dotted."

Barry continued, "I hope people understand that we are trying to put a giant puzzle together and one of this magnitude just takes time. The project has been funded for three months and those funds will be transferred after our accountants have accounted for every acre."

"We are very excited that this portion of the project is almost closed and I just can't wait to see materials and land start moving. I feel the people of Maysville will really enjoy watching this project come together."

Demolition of old Corbin hospital closing in (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_035113411.html)
By Fred Petke, The Times Tribune, February 4, 2008

KCEOC officials may know within a week who will demolish the old Corbin hospital.

KCEOC (Kentucky Communities Economic Opportunity Council) Vice-President of Advancement Miles Estes said nine companies bid on the project, including three local companies and one regional firm. The bids were opened Thursday afternoon and most fell within the project’s budget, he said.

Estes wouldn’t identify the bidders until the contract was awarded. Eight of the bids fall between $227,500 and $679,000, he said. The other bid was for $3 million.

“I don’t know what happened there,” Estes said. “Several (bids) came in where we needed them to.”

Project officials are analyzing the bids now to determine what is the lowest and best bid. An asbestos removal contract has already been awarded and may affect the demolition bids. Estes said the demolition project was advertised for a bid and alternate, depending on whether some of the cleaned debris can be left on site as fill material. The issues are environmental as well as financial, he said.

“All the asbestos will be off site,” he said.

The community action agency is also checking the companies’ references to make sure they can do the work for the bid price, Estes said.

“We hope to make a decision within a week,” he said. “They look pretty good. (The hospital’s) sat for a long time and a week or two while we make the right decision shouldn’t hurt anything.”

KCEOC purchased the vacant hospital and property off 4th Street in 2005 for $20,000. The plan is to demolish the hospital and build affordable housing on the site.

KCEOC secured $500,000 in state and federal funds for the project. Funding issues delayed the project for several months, including a deadline in court documents for demolition to be completed by the end of spring 2007.

A lawsuit is pending in Whitley Circuit Court concerning the hospital’s fate, seeking to speed its demolition.

The hospital has been vacant and falling into disrepair for approximately 25 years. It was closed in the early 1980s when Baptist Regional Medical Center opened on the other side of Corbin.

A farewell salute (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_035000441.html)
Army Navy Store up for sale
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, February 4, 2008

ASHLAND — The end of an era is approaching for one longtime Ashland business.

The Original Army Navy Store and its building, located at 236 16th St., is up for sale by the Damron family, who have owned the shop for more than 50 years.

Brothers Richard Damron, 78, and Jerry Damron, 67, along with their sister, Linda Stephens, 58, are the store’s current owners. They hope to sell both the business and its building, which has been up for sale since early fall, intact to another owner.

The siblings have been running the store full time since the death of their mother, Gypsy Damron, in January 2006. Gypsy Damron co-owned the store with her husband, Bryant Damron, who died in 1996. The couple bought it from its founder, Bud Rothschild, in 1954.

Rothschild opened the shop in 1914 at the onset of World War I. Bryant Damron began working at the store in 1923 at the age of 14.

According to Stephens, the siblings grew up in the shop, which has had four different locations over the past 50 years. “Jerry and Richard worked down here all the time growing up. If you can imagine two brothers taking care of the store — the shenanigans they would get into,” she recalled. A retired Ashland history teacher, Stephens didn’t spend much time working in the store but it has been a constant fixture in her life.

“We’re very sentimental about downtown Ashland and the store,” Stephens said. She said, although the decision to sell the family business was a hard one the siblings all agreed it was time.

“This was our parents’ vocation. This was not our business, it was our parents,’” she said. “When my father died, my mom wanted to stay in the business. ... She worked until she died at 94. Mom loved it. That’s why we kept it open for her after daddy died.”

Richard Damron, who retired from AK Steel in 1993, has spent the most time at the shop in recent years. “It’s tiresome,” he said, adding he’s looking forward to just being retired.

“We all want to retire,” Stephens said.

“We’re all getting older,” Jerry Damron added.

“We’d like to sell the store intact, keep it the Army Navy Store. So many people say they want to keep it,” Jerry Damron said. “A lot of kids love to come in here and look at all the Army stuff — they bring their parents in.”

The store has been for sale since it became clear a third-generation Damron owner couldn’t be found. “Nobody wants it. Everybody has their own thing they do, their own profession,” Stephens said.

“And times are changing,” Richard added. “If you don’t believe it walk through town and see all these empty buildings we’ve got.”

Although the Damrons say business has remained steady at the shop, there is no doubt it is not as busy as it once was.

“Someone could come in and make a living — they wouldn’t get rich unless things change,” Stephens said.

The Damrons say increased competition from the city’s newer and larger competitors has hurt business in recent years. Online stores and auction sites such as eBay have also made it easier for customers to find and the purchase specialty items that could once only be found at the shop.

At one time, the siblings said, the Army Navy Store was the only place to go for high-quality work clothes and boots in Ashland. It also sold a variety of goods ranging from paint to firearms and fishing gear.

“When Dad first had the store, he handled a little bit of everything. All different kinds of things,” Stephens said.

With the departure of many of the area’s high-paying industrial jobs, the store saw its top-selling merchandise change.

Fatigues and uniforms for the area’s detention centers, SWAT. teams and other emergency responders are now top sellers along with hats, T-shirts, military medals and other memorabilia.

In addition to the increased competition from other stores, the shop has also been hurt by the departure of other retailers in the surrounding blocks. Fewer people shopping downtown means fewer people wandering into the stores.

“It’s happened everywhere, not just Ashland,” sighed Richard Damron.

As one of Ashland’s remaining downtown shops, the Army Navy Store recently participated in a new city program that seeks to help boost business in downtown by restoring the buildings within the central business district. In the fall, the Ashland Main Street facade renovation program paid for the cost of removing the aluminum covering from the store front and painting the brick facade of the building that dates to the late 1890s.

Stephens said the family is grateful for the program. “I think it looks nice and I appreciate them helping us,” she said.

But more needs to be done to ensure the survival of the small family-owned stores that were once the backbone of Ashland’s central business district.

“They need to do something for the small businesses or they are going to put a damper on creativity and productivity,” she said, adding she favors tax breaks and other incentives to help out the local merchants.

Locally owned stores, she said, keep wealth in a community, while larger stores take their earnings and spend them elsewhere.

Hotel development on horizon (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_037001205.html)
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, February 6, 2008

ASHLAND — City officials are working to help secure a multimillion-dollar hotel development in Ashland they say would be a boon to the community.

Lexington-based CRM companies has been eyeing property on 25th Street between Carter and Central avenues to develop an upscale hotel development. However, city utilities, including a water main and storm drain, are on the property and would need to be relocated if the project comes to fruition.

The Ashland Board of City Commissioners has been asked and discussed Tuesday picking up the tab for the relocation to facilitate the development and secure the tax dollars that would come from a project.

Wayne Wellman, 54, a co-owner of CRM and native Boyd Countian, confirmed the company hopes to develop a $10 to $12 million hotel complex in Ashland.

“It’s still very much in the embryo stages. No contract has been signed,” he said. “It’s just in the planning stages. We’re looking to help the City of Ashland with their downtown development.”

“We’re here to help the hospital with their needs.”

If built, Wellman said, the hotel would be a high-end, full-service national franchise and would include a large conference facility.

“The land that is there now cannot be developed with what we have in mind without the utility being moved,” he said. Wellman added he has had conversations with the city about moving its utilities.

“We have discussed that. They are expecting to give us an answer soon,” Wellman said. He said the company is also looking at the cost of having them privately relocated.

The estimated cost to the city to move both utilities is approximately $440,000, officials said.

Mayor Steve Gilmore said he thinks the cost of the project would be offset within three years by the additional tax revenues the hotel would generate for the city.

If an $11 million development is built, the city could expect to see approximately $82,500 in payroll taxes just during its construction, Gilmore said. The city would also receive thousands in additional revenue from permits and the utility fees during construction, he said.

Gilmore said developers estimate the hotel will have a $1.6 million annual payroll. If that is so, the city would receive approximately $24,000 annually in payroll taxes and an additional $37,000 in property taxes.

The development would also boost the tax rolls in Boyd. County property taxes are being estimated at $67,000 annually, Gilmore said.

He added the city also has hopes the hotel development could spur additional growth in the neighborhood.

City leaders took no action on the proposal Tuesday but said they expect the matter to surface again in the coming days.

“We’re not going to put a shovel in the ground until we have a signed deal,” Gilmore said.

Lodge developers seek alcohol sales in Garrard (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=37602&format=html)
By Bobbie Curd, The Advocate-Messenger, January 15, 2008

LANCASTER - A Louisville businessman says a group interested in developing a lodge on Herrington Lake would like Garrard County to allow alcohol sales at the facility.

Mike Czerwonka outlined plans for an upscale lodge, 10-25 cottages, two restaurants, a water park, and convention and spa facilities Monday night to the Fiscal Court.

"And we would want to sell alcohol ... we must have that ability to attract conventions and more business ...," Czerwonka added. "I am strong in my faith; this is not an issue of faith, it's a business decision."

The state has purchased 90 acres near U.S. 27 and the Kentucky River for a new state park. It wants a private developer to build and operate a lodge with a restaurant and conference center on 210 acres on Rogers Road.

The Department of Parks has an option to purchase the land, but plans have been put on hold due to a lawsuit brought by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations about a prevailing wage issue dealing with the state parks.

Czerwonka told magistrates that prevailing wage would not be an issue for him and his associates, and they would hire Garrard Countians to do the work.

Czerwonka used Beaumont Inn in Harrodsburg, and Nicholasville as examples of areas that have drastically changed business-wise after alcohol began being sold.

"This would be a very gentile experience, something along the lines of a nicer horse farm," Czerwonka said. But he told magistrates a feasibility study by the state reflected the park would lose over $487,000 a year.

"We don't dispute that fact," Czerwonka said. "The entire (state park) system continues to lose money ... our land lease would be predicated on gross sales, and we have a private investors' group put together - we cannot operate at a loss."

"What I'm wondering is if Garrard County is ready for this type of change?" asked Magistrate Fred Simpson, adding it would be a huge undertaking for the county.

Czerwonka said, "I think the community is past due. There would be growing pains, but U.S. 27 is being widened, and the players are in place ..."

He said the move would lessen the tax burden on residents and provide sustained, planned growth. Czerwonka responded to financial concerns by adding the group will make money by marketing the product, offering an excellent service.

"The room rates will be more like $100 to $250 a night. The cottages will be even more.

"We will be actively marketing what we have, and we would manage a campground on the 90 acres on the Palisades, with walking trails, a campground - we'd manage that as a part of the contract with the state," Czerwonka said.

Decision rests with community

Judge-Executive John Wilson told magistrates the court does not have a say as far as liquor sales go in Garrard County, and that it would ultimately be up to the community to decide if this is the type of growth it wants.

"It's the greatest thing that will ever happen to Garrard County," said Magistrate Ronnie Lane. "It's nothing but a plus. I can say that in my 62 years, I have never taken a drink of alcohol ...

"You can't go anywhere in Lexington, Nicholasville or Danville to get a decent meal without someone sitting down beside you with a drink, and it doesn't bother me."

Simpson said, "It will certainly be a different Garrard County," and that he hopes the development would not fall on the taxpayers' back to support.

Wilson said the county government runs on occupational tax, but the largest employer has less than 100 people.

"The sheriff's department budget has been a discussion lately, their vehicles are held together by duct tape. If this park came here, it would be our largest employer," Wilson said.

Lane asked Sheriff Ronnie Wardrip what he thought of the plan.

"It's a great idea. I've always said the only way Garrard County will make any money is to go wet ... no nice restaurants will move into the area unless we do," Wardrip said.

"Maybe it's Garrard County's time," Czerwonka said. "Let go a little bit and grow this community, and do it in an orderly fashion."

Resident Harlan Bratton favors limited alcohol sales. "I think it's one of the greatest things that's ever come our way," he said.

"I eat in places that serve alcohol in Lexington, and I don't drink, but I sit right down with them. It would be a boost for Garrard County, and drinking is not that sinful, and I go to church three times a week.

"It will save lives, and keep people from traveling, keep them right here in the county somewhere they can drink with their meal and be safe. We can't deny the community anymore."

Lancaster Mayor Don Rinthen said alcohol sales would help the local economy.

"For economic reasons, alcohol is a necessity in today's society for economic growth. Whether you do or don't drink, it's needed for growth."

Grant could help city beautification (http://www.georgetownnews.com/articles/2008/02/07/news/news03.txt)
By Ryan Evans, Georgetown News-Graphic, February 7, 2008

Georgetown may end up seeing more of the decorative features seen on Main Street, this time on Broadway, thanks to a previously existing grant that the city has held on to for years.

The grant, which was accepted by the city in 2002, is a $50,000 matching grant that will be used to beautify the section of Broadway that runs between College and Washington streets, said Mayor Karen Tingle-Sames.

"Essentially what we're trying to do is create an area similar to what was done to Main Street, in that we'll be either running the utility lines underground or over to an adjacent block," said Tingle-Sames.

The grant, a T-21 Transportation Enhancement Act for the 21st Century, is awarded to cities for the sole purpose of enhancing and beautifying the area, said city engineer Eric Larson.

"At this point, we're filing all the administrative paperwork," said Larson. "Once that's complete, we'll start advertising for design consultants and begin planning what type of design would be best for this project."

Another new feature that Larson is hoping to include along the street would be information kiosks. The addition of a new curb, including brick pavers, side_walk and decorative light poles has already been planned.

"Hopefully, if we can include these along the streetscape, they'll point out historical landmarks or other points of interest," said Larson.

Though the grant was accepted by the city in 2002, it was not used or acted on until the summer of 2007, Tingle-Sames said.

"We were doing a review with the state of the grants the city had out at the time, and it was brought to our attention that this grant was still out there in limbo," she said. "We were asked if we still wished to keep the grant, to which we replied 'Yes.'"

The mayor estimates that the city will have to pay about $20,000 for the project, most of which will be used for cement, trash receptacles and benches. The cost can be met by either paying the amount or using labor hours. Both Larson and the mayor are hopeful that work can begin on the project by spring or early summer.

"We'd like to have this project finished by the fall," said Tingle-Sames.

"Since we're still in the paperwork phase, it's really going to be a matter of how long it takes to obtain a developer and begin working on the project," Larson said. "We'll have to develop the entire length of the streetscape, except for the areas around Whitaker and Central banks, because they've already worked on their frontage."

The grant was brought up during the Georgetown City Council's Jan. 28 meeting, when concerns were voiced that having one grant would be detrimental to securing the grant to link the Scott County trails being sought by Cindy King.

"When you have a previously existing grant like this one, it could make the state less inclined to award a new grant," said Tingle-Sames. "We're hoping that we'll be able to have and use both of them to their full extent, though."

Police station design OK'd (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_038232102.html)
Commission votes to move forward on new building
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, February 7, 2008

ASHLAND — After decades of waiting, the Ashland Police Department is poised to have a home of their very own.

Last night, the Ashland Board of City Commissioners voted unanimously to move forward on a design to build a two-story police station at the corner of 17th Street and Greenup Avenue. The station would be located directly across the street from City Hall. It would be constructed with cast stone and jumbo bricks but imitate the appearance of other buildings in the area, architects said Thursday night.

Brandstetter Carroll Inc., which has offices in Lexington, Louisville, Cincinnati and Cleveland, was selected by city leaders last fall to design the building. The firm has been working closely with a committee of APD and city officials to ensure the design meets the department’s priorities.

Architect Bernie Zofcin said some key elements of the design had to be modified in order to stay in line with the city’s $4.5 million budget. Plans changed from an elevated single story building with enclosed parking underneath to a two story building with a sally port for police vehicles and outdoor parking.

The building’s size was also shrunk because of budget constraints. The size decreased from approximately 21,000 square feet to about 17,000 square feet but it will be designed to allow for future expansion, Zofcin said.

The building is still in danger of being over budget, Zofcin said, adding the sally port will be bid as an alternative package once the project reaches its construction phase just in case. He told commissioners, however, that he sees the secure sally port as a security necessity. “A police station really needs a sally port,” he said.

The entire building has been designed with security in mind, he said. Amenities such as secured corridors, separate entrances for the public and police personnel, private interview offices and secure storage and records areas have all been included to ensure the highest level of safety, Zofcin said.

Police Chief Rob Ratliff said the department is pleased with the design despite the changes. “I think it’s a move ahead for us,” he said. “It’s something we’ve needed for many many years.”

For that reason, Ratliff said he would like to see construction begin as quickly as possible.

Zofcin told city officials he thinks it will take another four to five months to reach construction. He said at the earliest ground will be broken near the middle of summer. The building will take 12 to 14 months to construct, he said.

Bonds to fund minor league park
Bowling Green eyes baseball team


Associated Press

BOWLING GREEN -- City commissioners have approved issuing $25 million in bonds that include funds for a 4,000- seat minor league baseball stadium scheduled to open by April 1, 2009.

And the nonprofit corporation overseeing the project, the Warren County Downtown Economic Development Authority, last week approved a lease with DLR Sports, the company through which investor Art Solomon agreed to buy a team to play in Bowling Green for at least 20 years.

Local investors would have first option to buy the team before it could be moved at the end of the lease.

The lease specifies that the park must be ready for play by a member of the 16-team South Atlantic League. The lease also specifies that all elements of the ballpark project can't cost more than $23 million.

The bonds are the latest step in a long-running attempt by Bowling Green to land a minor league team. The original timeline was to have a Class-A team playing in Bowling Green by 2005.

The Kentucky General Assembly in early 2005 allowed the creation of an incremental tax district to fund the field and adjacent redevelopment, tossing the next move back to city government.

Within the new taxing district, a developer for the ballpark and five other blocks would get 80 percent of any increase in revenue from state sales, property and hotel-room taxes within that area, not to exceed more than 50 percent of the cost of the project over a 20-year period.

That revenue would go toward redeveloping the entire six-block area, not just building the ballpark.

Vendors sought for Riverfront Market (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_040220221.html)
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, February 9, 2008

ASHLAND — A bustling Riverfront Market filled with vendors selling fresh produce, locally raised meats and other Kentucky goods is getting closer to fruition, according to city planners.

Last week committee members working to make the project a reality officially began their search for vendors and builders needed to transform the western portion of the old C&O Railroad depot into a thriving destination market.

The Riverfront Market, part of the city’s ongoing Riverfront Development, would be comparable to — albeit smaller than — the Capitol Market in Charleston. It would be the first market of its kind in Kentucky, organizers say.

Committee member Christy Ford of Ashland Main Street said the committee has a list of vendors it needs. “We must have a restaurant and we must have a green grocer. We would like to have a fish and meat market,” she said.

Other preferred vendors are: a deli, a Kentucky wine and cheese vendor, a florist, ice cream vendor and Kentucky cottage industry goods, newsstand and small sundry store.

The restaurant inside the depot will seat between 40 and 45, although additional seasonal seating will be available on the depot’s outdoor deck. No liquor license will be available for the restaurant because of the city’s seating requirements, Ford said, but she added there will be a package license available for the wine vendor.

“It should be made clear why these are the ones we’ve identified as the ones we want,” she said. “We’re going to entertain any vendor applications that would be applicable there. Anyone that suits the mission of the market and the spirit of the market will be entertained.”

Ford said the committee needs a good mix of between eight and 10 vendors to make the market viable.

“I understand there is a lot of risk involved in this venture, but in my heart of hearts, I know it’s going to work. This is going to be the coolest thing to come along in a long time,” she said.

Lyndall Harned, UK agriculture extension agent and committee member, said he is confident local farmers will rise to the challenge of providing the market with fresh local produce. Several have already expressed interest in the project.

He said recent national consumer trends toward locally grown and raised meat and produce make the concept more likely to succeed.

“You’ve got a lot of people that, given the state of the world today, are more comfortable with local products,” Harned said. “There are people that would much rather buy beef that is raised out off Route 5 than something that comes in a box from Iowa, and they are not sure where it is from. It’s the same with produce. I think our local farmers markets are so successful because people would rather have something that is grown here within 20 miles than stuck in the back of the truck and gas released to change color.”

In fact, the most important requirement for the year-round produce vendor is that all items are produced as close to Ashland as possible. Vendors must give priority to products from Boyd County and then the FIVCO area. If items can’t be located within that area, then a vendor will be permitted to extend his search to eastern Kentucky, then statewide and then finally to the Tri-State area and beyond, Harned said.

An 85-foot outdoor, covered pavilion with space for 16 seasonal vendors is also planned for the Riverfront Market but will be completed during one of the additional phases.

Proposals for the year-round indoor vendors are due Feb. 29, according to Ashland Mayor Steve Gilmore and committee members.

“The Requests For Proposals are pretty stringent,” Gilmore said. “There will be real background and records checks on individuals and businesses. They need to have a business plan.”

He said vendors must not necessarily have previously been in business. “This may be their startup plan,” he added.

Vendors will be asked to sign a long-term lease agreement. Ford said the committee is working to secure a grant that would allow the market to waive the lease for vendors during the startup period.

Committee members are confident the market can open by the beginning of June.

“I’m hoping they realize they are the initial development on the riverfront,” Gilmore said of riverfront Market vendors. “If they get in there and we start developing the Riverfront, people are going to want the space they now have.

“It’s an exciting component of downtown development. We think it will bring more people downtown; it will be tied into our central business district and we’re a small enough area we think the riverfront market is going to cause positive reverberations throughout our community,” Gilmore said.

Ford said the committee also is taking proposals for heating and cooling along with plumbing work that will be needed to create the vendor spaces. Those are due Feb. 28.

The depot is home to the Ashland Bus System and an Amtrak station, both of which will remain in the eastern portion of the depot.

Downtown luxury lofts to have rooftop decks (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=38274&format=html)
By Jesse Osbourne, Advocate-Messenger, February 8, 2008

Luxury lofts being developed downtown will have rooftop decks offering residents a view of Danville and the countryside.

Redwood Property Management manager Charlie Raffay envisons residents of the old Weisiger building sitting out on their decks and watching events such as the Great American Brass Band Festival or Fourth of July fireworks.

"There's going to be a 17 x 17 deck on the fourth story. You'll go out onto it just like a deck you'd have on the back of your house. Then you can see from the deck all the way out to the knobs, out past the bypass, probably a good 10 to 15 miles. You can see everything," Raffay said.

"It will all be wired so you can plug in your iPod and have your music out on the deck. There'll be water and electricity. If someone comes to your door, you could let them in from your phone if you have it up there."

Raffay believes the rooftop decks are the icing on the cake for people interested in living downtown.

"So you can have it all here. You can live right downtown, but you can have your own private green space up on the deck. You could plant flowers or a garden or whatever you want."

The Weisiger building is on Fourth Street across from the Boyle County Courthouse. Subway restaurant occupies the bottom floor, and the rest of the building is being converted to eight luxury apartments that will sell in the low to mid $200,000 range. Each will have its own access to a private rooftop deck. Most of the lofts will be about 2,300 square feet, but a few will be about 1,800 square feet.

Renovation should be completed in the next month or so.

Raffay wants to bring more people downtown, through this project and other housing developments that are going on.

"We're all about making downtown a better, neater place to live and get some more living opportunities so we get more people living downtown, spending more money, bringing more businesses in," he said.

Using existing buildings makes sense.

"The biggest thing you can recycle is a building. If you take it all down and build it from scratch, it doesn't matter how many energy-efficient windows and stuff that you put in there. I mean you're wasting a lot of resources, where if you take these old buildings and kind of remodel and renovate them and put them into a new use and bring them up to code, you know that's the ultimate in recycling," he said.

Building luxury apartments isn't the end of Raffay's vision for downtown.

"I mean there's so many job opportunities down in here: you can work at the college, you can work at the hospital, the businesses up and down Main Street ... so you can actually live and work here. And if we get a grocery store, you know you could do your shopping here and not even need a car. Gas is at three bucks a gallon. If you just live 10 miles away from work, you know back and forth 20 miles, that's three bucks a day. You know that's $60 a month, that's six or seven hundred dollars a year that you're spending on gas," he said.

The lofts he is developing will have modern conveniences, including a central vacuum system and light and sound controls enabling residents to turn lights on and off from any room. There will be an entry system that will allow residents to see any front-door visitors from any TV in the apartment. The visitor can be buzzed in by hitting nine on the telephone.

"You can plug your iPod in when you come in the door and select whatever room you want it to start playing in," Raffay said.

Judd Plaza work on tap (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_042220016.html)
Major overhaul begins this summer
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, February 11, 2008

ASHLAND — City planners are hoping to make Judd Plaza an outdoor jewel of downtown with a project starting this summer.

The project is a collaborative effort between the city, Ashland Streetscape and Community Trust Bank and calls for a major overhaul of the current space, at the corner of Judd Plaza and Winchester Avenue.

Plans would create a community green in the center of town, with a permanent stage, trees and picnic tables to facilitate outdoor gatherings.

The plaza’s concept was drawn by Kim Jenkins of Sweet Bay Landscaping. Jenkins has designed numerous projects for the city including the Reading Garden in Central Park and the Riverfront Market.

Jenkins presented the finalized drawings to the Ashland Board of City Commissioners last Thursday for approval. The plans have already met StreetScape approval.

Jenkins said major changes to the space include planting more than two dozen shade trees, installing an iron handrail around the space and erecting a town clock.

“As the trees mature, it’s a parklett, no longer a sea of concrete,” Jenkins said. “The idea is to create an oasis in the center of town.”

The design reflects the integrity of the buildings around it and ties into the ongoing downtown sidewalk and infrastructure upgrades, Jenkins said, adding “We want a clean urban look.”

A stage, roughly three times larger than the current one, will also be constructed along with a pedestal to display public art work. The city’s annual Christmas tree will find a new home at the center of the park instead of near the corner, she said.

In addition, a partially removable iron handrail will surround the park, which will also include a numerous round picnic tables, a bike rack and public drinking fountain.

Although most of the design decisions are made, Mayor Steve Gilmore said a clock committee will be formed to search for a clock.

He said he hopes the item will give the park a sense of “visual identity” and enhance the downtown. Gilmore said he envisions the clock will be double-sided and large enough to be visible from Winchester and Greenup Avenues along with Carter Avenue.

Gilmore said the town clock portion of the project will be paid for through donations. Already, two donors have committed to making “sizeable” contributions, he said.

The remainder of the project will be financed using city Streetscape funds and using a $50,000 donation from Community Trust Bank.

Community Trust President Larry Jones said the bank agreed to donate funds to the project in order to be a part of the downtown enhancement.

“I don’t know why we would not be interested in having that space out there, in having a small public park downtown,” he said. “It’s an aesthetic change that makes the downtown look better and be better. I want to see the downtown viable and growing and things going on here.”

Jones said based on the popularity of the spot now he is confident the upgrades will only increase the use.

Construction on the upgrades could get under way as early as this summer.

Acting Director of Public Services Marion Russell said plans must first be approved by the Kentucky Heritage Council and additional funds secured for the Streetscape program.

Redevelopment planned at Ashland Town Center (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_043234630.html)
The Independent, February 11, 2008

Ashland — The Ashland Town Center is getting an interior facelift.

Plans were announced last week to make interior updates throughout the center. Plans include a restroom remodel, an addition of a family restroom, several concourse renovations and interior updates. Construction on the new family restroom is already under way.

The restroom remodel will include both men’s and women’s restrooms and will take approximately two months for completion.

The restroom remodel will include new floor and wall tile, new countertops and fixtures and a fresh coat of paint. The restrooms will be closed temporarily while the remodel is taking place. During this time period, there will be temporary facilities near the food court.

“We are excited about the upcoming development at the Ashland Town Center,” said Merri Hurn, general manager of the mall.

“The new development will provide enhanced amenities so customers have a more comfortable shopping experience.”

In March, construction is scheduled to begin on the interior of the mall. The current project will include a relocation of tenants that will create more retail space for the new JCPenney corridor, new floor tile, new lighting fixtures and a fresh coat of paint. The relocation of tenants will provide the mall with space to create new small shops that will be approximately 6,404 square feet. During this time period, several stores will relocate and some will close.

“Over the past few years, we have not been able to accommodate new stores wishing to enter the Ashland market,” Hurn said. “This change will allow us to provide space for the tenants wishing to locate in the Ashland Town Center.”

Currently under construction is the new JCPenney anchor store that when complete in August, will include more than 104,000 square feet of retail space. The store will be the first JCPenney in Kentucky to be built in the retailer’s latest store format, with wider aisles and updated fixtures to provide an easy and more convenient shopping environment. Also under construction is Cheddar’s Casual Café, an 8,000-square-foot restaurant on the southeast end of the parking lot. It is expected to open in May.

Glimcher, the company that developed the mall, is talking to several prospects about the current JCPenney building. It hopes to have leases finalized this year.

Size may be cut by 8% (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3291992)
By Charlie Pearl, State Journal, February 12, 2008

Before the architectural design begins and a site is acquired, the proposed Franklin County Judicial Center is shrinking because of rising costs.

Architect Rick Kremer recommended to the Project Development Board Monday the size of the facility be reduced from 102,000 square feet to 94,000 square feet because of increased costs.

About $30 million was budgeted for the project slated to be built on the old Model Laundry block between Clinton and Mero streets, behind the Frankfort Convention Center.

Kremer " with Louis & Henry Group of Louisville " met recently with state Administrative Office of the Court officials and Roger Lashbrook of Codell Construction Co. to calculate a revised cost estimate and interior space plan.

Lashbrook said his company " the construction manager for the local judicial center " took an average cost of other building projects since 2007 to come up with a "cost opinion of $250 a square foot."

Kremer discussed the revised plans " showing three and four-story options " with the Project Development Board building at its regular meeting Monday and recommended a three-story.

Franklin County Judge-Executive Ted Collins, chairman of the judicial center board, said he would schedule a work session soon and invite judges and representatives of the sheriff, jailer and Franklin
County Bar Association to comment on the revised plans.

Also Monday, the board went into closed session to hear a representative from Lewman Miller Appraisal Co. provide an appraisal on about 10 parcels in the Model Laundry block unanimously chosen by the judicial center board last October as its top site.

After Monday's closed session, the board voted unanimously to have County Attorney Rick Sparks start
negotiations with the property owners in the old Model Laundry block. In the same motion, Sparks also was instructed to get three cost estimates for demolition of the houses and buildings in the block.
"I'm sure our county attorney will move as quickly as possible to see how well he can negotiate within the appraised prices," Collins said after the meeting. "We've got the ball rolling."

The board's budget for property acquisition is $1.6 million.

Monday, the board also heard a report on a Phase 1 environmental site assessment on the Model Laundry block. DLZ and Brighton Environmental Co. of Frankfort did the environmental assessment.

The report says environmental problems "are likely to be minimal. However, there are concerns for which action should be taken. Due to the age of most of the structures, there is an increased likelihood for the presence of led-based paints and asbestos containing materials in and around the buildings."

Also, three metal pipes extending vertically from the ground on two parcels "indicate the presence of
underground tanks," the report says.

DLZ recommends a Phase 2 soil and groundwater sampling. "Soil borings should be analyzed for any chemicals related to petroleum products and dry cleaning facilities," the report says.

Aquatic center, new City Hall priorities (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3309741)
By Paul Glasser, State-Journal, February 15, 2008

An aquatic center and new City Hall were named as two of the City Commission's long-term goals in a special work session Thursday night.

And Parks Director Steve Brooks said there's less than a 50/50 chance the East Frankfort Park swimming pool will open for business this summer. It's 37 years old and no parts are left for repairs, he said.

"If the pools don't open, the kids will be out creating more work for the police department," Brooks said.

"It's just a fact, if you don't pay for it here, you'll be paying for it over there."

Concerned citizen Diana Looney said there's nothing else for youth to do during the summer.

"There's a real disconnect here, folks," Looney said. "The young people will all be gone, they're going to leave."

Commissioner Kathy Carter said the project should be a priority. "It's a quality of life issue," she said.

Mayor Bill May and Commissioners Doug Howard and Rodney Williams said a new aquatic center is an important long-term goal. However, a tight financial situation will limit what the city can do, Williams said.

Carter suggested the Southern Hotel would be an ideal location for new public administration offices. The facility that currently houses city offices was built in 1958 and Carter said City Hall is so crowded it's bursting at the seams.

Commissioner Lynn Bowers said she's opposed to building any new facilities for the next five to 10 years unless the budget improves dramatically.

"This building is functional," Bowers said. "It's not about what you're working in but what you're doing in it."

Bowers said keeping City Hall downtown in a historic building would be nice but said the Southern Hotel is not an option at this time. Williams agreed that a new City Hall is not a priority, but May, Howard and Carter supported the idea.

Other top priorities include continuing the redevelopment and improvement on Holmes Street. Eric Burke, of the Holmes Street Neighborhood Association, said the efforts are finally starting to pay dividends.

"To give up now would not be a good thing," he said. "We will see some great changes starting this summer and it will only get better from where we started."

All five members of the commission agreed it's important to investigate the option of forming a storm-water utility agency and either building a new fire station or renovating the current facility.

Courthouse site revisited (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3315971)
By Charlie Pearl, State-Journal, February 17, 2008

While the Project Development Board moves closer to purchasing a site for the new Franklin County Judicial Center, state Sen. Julian Carroll is determined to find an alternative site.

Carroll believes the site chosen unanimously by the Project Development Board last October " the block of houses and buildings behind the Frankfort Convention Center " is out of the downtown community.

A month ago, Carroll told the City Commission he would offer an amendment to the state budget bill that would make it easier to keep the new building in the central business district. He said then he was interested in an addition to the current courthouse instead of a stand-alone facility.

Now Carroll says he would support a stand-alone facility and wants to explore putting the new judicial center on Broadway where the current John C. Watts Federal Building is.

"I know some of the members of the Project Development Board will think I am interfering unduly with the process," Carroll said Friday. "But it's a state appropriation and I have a responsibility for making sure it's spent properly."
In the final analysis, he said, if the Project Development Board's top-priority site proves to be the best site, "then it will be so. But only after I make certain every other more logical and more feasible location has been considered."

Carroll, a former governor, said he doesn't want people asking, 50 years from now, " "Why in the world did Julian Carroll sit on the sidelines and let that new courthouse building be built where they built it?' I just don't find good comment from individuals I've talked to about placing it down there on the old Model Laundry site."

Before the Project Development Board held its first meeting last April, local preservationists Scot Walters, John Gray and Bob Polsgrove proposed moving federal court from the Watts Building back to its previous location in the old Paul Sawyier Public Library building.

They suggested tearing down the Watts building " since it is not a historic building " and reopening Washington Street from Broadway to Clinton Street and building the new judicial center on that block.

The advantages, they said, were: the new judicial center would stay downtown; no historic buildings would be demolished; Broadway and Clinton streets would be reconnected and 50 on-street parking spaces could be returned for public use; federal court would stay downtown and return to its former location; and the city would find a productive use for the old library building it purchased from the library board.

Gray said in the early 1970s an entire block of historic buildings adjacent to the Old Capitol was torn down over local objections to make room for a new federal building.

In the summer of 2006, a group of city, county, state and federal officials toured the old library building.

Mayor Bill May said then, "We're hopeful our congressional delegation can work with GSA (federal Government Services Administration) to convince them" the benefits would exceed the costs in putting the "federal court system into the current library building."

Attorney Bill Kirkland, a longtime library board member, said then the biggest problems would be money and security.

"But I understand GSA has shown some interest in the building because of its architectural style, design and good condition," Kirkland said. "The upper floors were never used much. It's just a gem sitting there very much like it sat in the 1880s. The big offices on the third floor are absolutely magnificent."

In August 2006, then-U.S. Chief District Judge Joseph Hood said the library building "is an absolutely historic marvel. I love the building." But there's no money available to build any new federal courthouses or to convert the library building to a federal courthouse with all the 21st century security requirements, Hood said.

Just for general security, it would require an addition to the building, which would cost as much or more than a new building to accommodate the same size courthouse facility, Hood said. "It doesn't seem very feasible," he said. A higher priority for Hood was to get additional courtrooms in Lexington.
Hood is now a senior status judge and Jennifer Coffman is the new U.S. chief district judge.

Coffman said Friday " by phone from Washington, D.C. " she hasn't talked to Carroll or anyone about the issue.

"I have no idea what the proposal would be," she said. "But I'm totally open to any discussion along these lines, if it would improve the delivery of justice at the state or federal level."

If Carroll "wants to start the ball rolling," Coffman said she would listen to any proposal, Coffman said.

When Carroll heard what Coffman said, he responded, "I'm pleased she has this open-minded attitude. The last time an effort was made, it wasn't well received."

He said the old library would be an ideal place for federal court.

"We may not be talking about a great deal of expense for restoring that building for use as a federal court," Carroll said. "The federal court is used rarely these days anyhow in Frankfort.

"Then we could hopefully obtain ownership of the existing federal courthouse and demolish it to build new court facilities on that site, which adjoins the state garage with enormous parking that isn't used that much except on rare occasions, mostly at night."

Carroll also said he isn't in favor of reducing the square footage of the new judicial center as was recommended by the architect last week due to rising construction costs.

"I don't plan to let that happen," he said. "If it takes additional authorization, then we will provide that additional authorization for the original square footage."

Architect Rick Kremer showed the board where the judicial center could be reduced from 102,000 to 94,000 square feet. About $30 million was budgeted for the facility several years ago.

Carroll said he will "propose new budget language regarding possible acquisition of property costs; and to make certain we don't reduce our square footage; and if we have to " as part of the exchange of property " do some renovating at the old library. I would think we could probably get federal funds for that."

He said he would present the amendments to the state House Appropriations and Revenue Committee.

Walters, a downtown resident and property owner who regularly attends Project Development Board meetings, said Friday the Watts Building site "would be truly the best solution for downtown Frankfort. This site would offer the most potential for a positive economic impact on downtown businesses without destroying existing businesses and historic buildings."

Walters said a joint judicial center for state and federal courts would work in Frankfort.

"It has always been my dream that we could have one really high-quality building to serve the needs of the state's family, circuit and districts courts along with federal court," Walters said. "It would seem pooling resources would have many efficiencies, from cost to function."

Franklin County Judge-Executive Ted Collins, chairman of the Project Development Board, said the last time he "tried to get any traction on the Watts building, the Republicans were in the governor's office and I let them take the lead on that. We couldn't get any real help out of the U.S. Senate or the governor's office.

"It sounds like something may be possible but it truly takes an act of Congress to get it done. And when you're dealing with Congress, it moves pretty slowly. But it doesn't hurt to explore it."

Meanwhile, the Project Development Board voted unanimously last week to have County Attorney Rick Sparks start negotiations with the property owners in the old Model Laundry block. Sparks also was instructed to get three cost estimates for demolition of the houses and buildings in that block.

Architect hired for justice center (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_049115504.html)
Whitley County still deciding between two locations for center
By Fred Petke, Times Tribune, February 18, 2008

An architect is on board and under contract for the Whitley County justice center, though definitive designs are still some time away.

The justice center committee has already met with representatives of Murphy + Graves throughout the early stages of the project and the company has been involved in the meetings, Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White, Jr. said.

“They actually have been working with us now,” White said. “They will not do specific designs until the site is chosen.”

The site may not be selected for a while. Whitley Circuit Clerk Gary Barton said the committee is waiting for the report from the appraiser, which could be delivered next week.

White said the committee denied a request from the appraiser to increase the contract price, but they agreed to finish the work anyway.

The committee is looking at two properties, one owned by the Upton family along South 2nd Street. The other is a group of properties collectively called the riverfront property. Those parcels presently include Williamsburg’s city hall, the old Whitley County Jail, the city garage, a parking lot and other property.

Thursday night, the Whitley County Fiscal Court voted to approve the contract with Murphy + Graves.

The project will build a new facility to house the district and circuit courtrooms and the circuit clerk’s office. Plans call for additional courtrooms compared to the present courthouse and expanded office space for the clerks.

Presently, those are housed on the second floor of the county courthouse. Once the project is completed, county offices would expand into the second floor, White said.

The state Administrative Office of the Courts will assume the bond payments for the project with little impact to the county.

The fiscal court also voted to sign agreements for an emergency readiness grant application for the Whitley County school district. The grant, according to Lee Schroedder, would standardize an emergency response plan with schools and emergency agencies.

Folk Art Center reopens with new look (http://www.themoreheadnews.com/local/local_story_053114119.html)
By Vanessa Overholser, Morehead News, February 22, 2008

Accessibility, flexibility and excitement are some reasons for the remodeling and reopening of the Kentucky Folk Art Center (KFAC) in Morehead Feb. 2.

Matt Collinsworth is the director of the art museum. He’s very proud of the new look of the facility.

As one enters the museum, he or she is greeted by admissions staff located at the front desk. The museum is dimly lit to set the mood for a calm and relaxing atmosphere. One sees a delicately arranged collection of art at the start of the exhibition. To the right is a gift shop featuring various artistic pieces. The store features crafted items such as jewelry, pictures, shadow boxes, wooden staffs, candles, rugs, buckets, wood figures and T-shirts.

“Morehead State helped with some painting labor, but nearly all of the funding came from donations from the center’s Friends (or members or donors),” Collinsworth said.

The center has 130 donors and members across the nation. There was no specific fundraiser for the renovation project, Collinsworth said.

“We simply used funds accumulated over the past two years,” he said. “Since my staff and I did most of the work, the project only cost $10,000. I think we got a serious bang for our bucks.

“KFAC offers multiple levels of membership so everyone can get involved in the good things that happen here,” Collinsworth said. “Our beginning level for seniors and students is $15, our top level for a lifetime member is $5,000.”

The majority of their membership falls into the $50 to$250 range. Also members receive certain benefits, which include free admission, gift shop discounts, and mailings of exhibition notices and catalogs. Other benefits include eligibility for premiums at $50 to $100. Those qualified for the premiums would get laser engraved hard wood bookmarks and hand-carved roosters.

Collinsworth and his staff felt it was time the facility got a makeover. Especially since it has not been renovated since it was first established. Collinsworth described the condition of the building before its initial makeover.

“The original exhibition was constructed in 1997,” he said. “It was designed as a permanent exhibition. The exhibition cases were nailed down to the floor. If we wanted to change the exhibit, we could not move it.”

Another reason for the renovation is flexibility. If the museum staff wants to change exhibits, they can, because the cases are not nailed down.

“We’ll make changes periodically throughout the year,” he said.

The facility used to be dark, Collinsworth said, and there was a lack of seating for exhibit viewers. So they added a bit more light and furniture to the facility.

“We wanted to add more seating in the facility to make visitors feel at home while they are here,” he said.

The museum director wanted all barriers removed to cut down the glare of lights on exhibit walls. This is why the walls at some exhibits are not painted. He wanted the new exhibition to be exciting for new visitors as well as regular visitors and members.

He added, “The exhibits are displayed systematically. Each artist’s collection of art is displayed together in one area and has its own theme.”

Plus the exhibition is designed in a zigzag shape or like a maze. This is to add a “surprise” element.

“You never know what you will find as you zigzag from one exhibit to the next,” Collinsworth said. “There are surprises here and there at every corner you turn.”

The museum features many types of art. It features exhibits of wooden models of people and farm animals, steel forms of rooster statues, oil paintings, and folk art drawings that look like children’s art.

“Folk Art is self-taught and it is also referred to as unschooled art,” he said. “It looks child-like but it’s not.”

He continued, “It gives reasons why people make art in the first place. It is evidence that their message has broken through.”

There is a small admission fee for visitors to visit the museum. Cost is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors, and children age 12 and under are admitted free. MSU faculty and staff and museum board members are admitted free.

Those who attended the event liked what they saw of the newly designed facility.

“It’s very impressive. My favorites are the wood carvings,” said Museum Member Robin Mirus. “They have a wonderful selection. I like the ‘Cold Hearted Woman.’ That one is good.”

Gary and Beverly Cooper are Flemingsburg residents and family members of folk artists Ronald Cooper and Jessie Cooper. Both agreed that the new exhibition is nice. They said they had a good time.

The Kentucky Folk Art Center is located at 102 West First Street across from the Morehead Conference Center. The center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The center is open on Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. throughout the year except from January to March.

For information about donations and center information call the Kentucky Folk Art Center at 783-2204.

One park at a time (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_055233939.html)
Oakland Ave. first in series of improvements
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, February 25, 2008

CATLETTSBURG — The absence of a fence around Oakland Avenue park in Catlettsburg has had Gate City residents talking for months.

Resident Ann Bryan, a member of the Catlettsburg Community Development Club, said the removal of the old chain-link fence is the first of many changes residents will soon see taking shape.

“We have really just started working on the small park on Oakland Avenue,” she said at a meeting of Catlettsburg’s City Council on Tuesday. “We have taken down the fence to redo everything.”

Members of Catlettsburg’s Park Board and the CCDC have been working for the past year toward upgrading the facility, she said.

Within the next several weeks, newly purchased playground equipment will be installed at the site along with new basketball goals. A smaller wrought iron fence will replace the old chain-link fence that once encircled the park, the concrete floodwall will be pressure washed and repaired, and new benches will be installed.

The makeover will also include another new mural to be painted by artists Denise Spaulding, Gary Preston and Melanie Osborne, the trio currently working on the paddle wheel mural. Preston is also working on a sculpted fountain of Catlettsburg’s famous catfish, Scrap Iron Jack, that will be installed in the center of the park.

Betty Wright, co-chairwoman of the CCDC park committee and Oakland Avenue resident, said the organization also has big plans for the river side portion of the park where the old lock and dam are located.

“We plan to grade the hill side off and put a river side park over there where you can see the three states and the Big Sandy River dumping into the Ohio (River). We thought that would make a great riverside park,” she said.

“It’s going to be such a great park when we get it done,” Bryan said, sharing Wright’s optimism for the project. “We want to make it a beautiful place.”

“It will be like no other park,” Wright assured.

Wright and Bryan said the upgrades will not stop with Oakland Avenue Park, the CCDC and Park Board hope to team up again to make improvements at all of Catlettsburg’s three remaining parks.

Catlettsburg Councilman and Park Board Member Randall Peterman who was involved in the effort several years ago to install a skate park in Catlettsburg said he hopes the renovation of Catlettsburg’s parks will improve the quality of life for the city’s children.

“It gets pretty bad when your kids get old enough and they tell you they can’t wait to get older so they can move out of town because there ain’t nothing for them here,” he said, adding “It holds a lot of truth.”

Peterman said the two groups are in need of all the volunteer and monetary assistance they can get from the community to make the projects a reality. Inmates from the Boyd County Detention Center already perform most of the maintenance duties at the park and will be helping with labor for additional improvements, he said. “We couldn’t do it without the prisoners,” he added.

Oakland Avenue Park improvements are being paid through a combination of city funds, grant dollars and private donations, according to City Clerk Pauline Hunt.

Public soon will see Danvile city hall design (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=38608&format=html)
By Bobbie Curd, Advocate-Messenger, February 22, 2008

An architect presented a sketch Thursday of what Danville's new city hall will look like, but steering committee members did not want it released to the public pending changes to the entrance.

The final sketches will be made available for public viewing during the next meeting, scheduled for 1 p.m. March 6.

Committee member Janet Hamner, along with others, did not like the appearance of the front entrance on the sketch. The final sketch will more than likely include a canopy with columns to protect visitors from wind and rain as they enter the building.

The committee agreed on a floor plan and voted unanimously to halt any further changes to the inside design until Codell Construction is brought on to manage the project. Hiring of the construction manager is subject to city commission approval.

Monica Sumner, an architect with Brandsetter Carroll Inc., presented a floor plan that combined two earlier plans and resulted in a 16,950-square-foot layout for renovating the existing city hall and building a new addition.

Mayor Hugh Coomer met with immediate resistance when he expressed concern about the 14,550 square feet designated for the police department and asked if part of it could be placed in the basement.

"We've spent a lot of time with the police department about their needs, and we've heard from all areas of the city that they want them to have more room," said City Manager Paul Stansbury. "To start chopping them up and putting them in the basement would be a disservice to the public."

Stansbury added, "You can take it out of my office, but don't take it from the police department."

Layout seems to grow

Committee member John Delaney said the layout seems to get a little bit bigger each time the committee meets.

"I feel like that's what the mayor is eluding to, and I'll have to agree with him," Delaney said.

Sumner told the committee, "If I can finish the presentation, I may be able to add some suggestions on how to handle that."

Sumner suggested lopping off a portion of unfinished space in the basement, under the city administration suite.

The basement will serve mostly as a training area and lab for the police department and will include an exercise facility. Plans are that all city employees will have access to it.

Hamner said the group should design for what is needed, then do the appropriate changes when the construction manager is on the clock.

Coomer said a vault area is needed for cash and to fireproof vital city records.

Hamner also mentioned the need for an employee coat rack area. If a place is not provided, Hamner said, then every single office will have coats hanging on the backs of chairs.

Coomer brought up budgetary concerns, commenting on the estimated $4.1 million cost of the project. He said the city has yet to see what kind of drain on the budget the parking garage will result in, and that cuts with city and state government are on the horizon.

Coffey said this is what a five-year budget forecast is for.

"We need to know about this 10 years from now, though," Coomer said.

Hamner said a 10-year forecast is not feasible. "Everyone faces fears," she said, adding that the city cannot function on a "what if" mentality.

"This is not a topic for this committee to discuss anyway," Hamner said. "That's a topic for the city commission."

Coomer asked if a specific price had been decided upon.

"At this point, we don't. That's why we'll hire a construction manager," Hamner said.

Bid accepted for demolition of old Corbin hospital (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_054105451.html)
By Brad Hicks, Times Tribune, February 23, 2008

The bids have been reviewed and a company has been selected to oversee the demolition of the old Corbin hospital.

Gateway Environmental Services of Highland, Ill., was selected to demolish the old building. The company’s bid of $227,500 was the lowest of the bids presented to the Kentucky Communities Economic Opportunity Council, which has purchased the hospital and the property it’s located on in 2005. Miles Estes, KCEOC Vice President of Advancement, said their work should be begin soon.

“We anticipate Gateway to be on site within a month,” he said.

A contract for asbestos removal was previously awarded to Micro-Analytics, an environmental firm out of Louisville, in the amount of $197,678. However, asbestos removal has not begun because the company was waiting on the demolition bid to be awarded. There are some areas within the building that require work before asbestos can be removed.

“The asbestos contractors need the demolition contractors to come in and tear some things down to get to some of the asbestos,” Estes said. “They wanted to do everything at once.”

The hospital was closed in the early 1980s and has been vacant ever since. KCEOC bought the property and plans to eventually build affordable housing units there.

KCEOC secured $500,000 in state and federal funds for the project. Funding issues delayed the project for several months, including a deadline in court documents for demolition to be completed by the end of spring 2007. A lawsuit is pending in Whitley Circuit Court concerning the hospital’s fate, seeking to speed its demolition.

Developers say project again delayed (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/02/26/local_news/1565wood.txt)
By Owen McNeill, Ledger Independent, February 26, 2008

In a press release sent to The Ledger Independent today, officials with Wyldwood Kentucky, LLC said closing on properties involved in the proposed multimillion dollar project have once again been delayed.

The release includes an explanation for delays with property closings and the project's status overall.

According to the release, many variables are impacting the progression of the project including the overall lending market and economy as a whole, the shear size of the project and the complexities involved in completing a $600 million investment project.

Initial closings on local properties were initially scheduled to be completed at the end of January, but were then rescheduled for late this month. Those closings will now come at the end of March, officials with the venture said.

Speaking on behalf of the developers, attorney Gerald J. Kelly urged patience.

"Everyone needs to be patient. It is rare that a $600 million project tries to move forward in a relatively rural venue. Many of the traditional strengths of a venue are not in place, such as infrastructure, airports and other significant attractions. It takes a great deal of time stating the case for this project and insuring everyone remains on board," he said.

Below is the entire release as received by The Ledger Independent:

Wyldwood Kentucky, LLC legal counsel, Gerald J. Kelly, announced that the Wyldwood development planned for Maysville, Kentucky is approaching the much-awaited closing, pending the final review and details of underwriting by the mortgage lenders. Mr. Kelly stated that projects of this size, scope and complexity often experience a few delays and. while a closing cannot occur on or before February 29th, the delays are being overcome in follow up paperwork and responses to requests by the lender. Barring any further delays, we would expect to have a closing date before then end of March.

Although the Wyldwood development group had planned to close by the end of January 2008, a series of events, including the sub-prime market being worse than even originally predicted, and the series of drops in the Federal Reserve interest rate, one significant one being the unexpected 3/4-point drop, all have significantly added to the inherent project funding delays. The Federal Reserve had 20 straight quarter-point increases in its interest rate spanning from December 2001 through December 2007. Further, a one-time 3/4-point decrease in a single month was perhaps the largest single change in Fed history and certainly unexpected by Wall Street. The pricing of the Wyldwood development funding is tied to an adjustable rate mortgage note and the lenders decided to reconsider the loan terms in the face of this dramatic reduction in its anticipated return.

The parties have been engaged in making sure that the final basic rates, terms and conditions of the initial loan commitment remain in keeping with the overall goals of the development. At about the same time as the Wyldwood development group was addressing the downturn in mortgage rates in late January, increases in acreage and, therefore, the ultimate purchase price of the total site and the new acreage survey count, meant having the lenders going back to square one on some issues. Underwriting had to go back to basics to account for the substantial downturn in interest rates and the increase in purchase price, thus dramatically affecting the loan-to-value ratios upon which all commercial mortgages are ultimately based.

Additional requirements of the borrower were imposed and all such requirements are in the process of being fully complied with according to the Wyldwood group spokesperson, Ed D’Angelo, the chief negotiator for the funding of the Maysville, Kentucky Wyldwood development

Mr. Kelly stated that the lender is becoming very comfortable with the revised scenario. The assemblage and title work on some 85 separately owned tracts of land is complete and a title policy for the entire purchase will be issued according to Wyldwood and local attorneys. We have submitted the Phase I environmental studies, master survey, and zoning status on the entire hilltop tract and the hunting preserve that will be created near Brandywine Lane and Clarks Run Road. It is now in the hands of underwriting.

Mr. Kelly stated that this has been an enormous task and it would not have been possible without the excellent support of Jim Barry, Dr. Tom VanGalder, and the law firm of Fox, Wood, Wood & Estill of Maysville., along with the incredible hard work by the engineers, land architects, appraisers, sellers, political leaders, and others who have responded to every request and have been gracious to us as we dealt with each new issue.

Kelly went on to say that it has been remarkable to work alongside Mr. Steve Presson, President and CEO of Coast Resource Development, Inc and the balance of his development team. Mr. Presson has a 35-year track record of performance and excellence. In his entire career, he has never defaulted on an obligation or walked away from a situation just because it got a little rough. “Steve has held up remarkably well through these anxious days of dealing with the project,” reports Kelly. “He is seasoned and with his experience he will get this project to the construction phase in a timely manner,” he assured.

Presson has not been idle while the lenders complete their underwriting responsibilities. Mr. Presson has flown to visit with the attorneys in Washington, New Jersey, New York, and Maysville, the lenders and the equity partners several times throughout this process insuring that every detail was timely and accurately handled in preparation for the closing. Indeed, Colorado-based Land Architects International and Coast Resource Development have been moving rapidly ahead on the construction plans for this 4,100-plus acre development. “We have kept in close communication with our development partners,” said Presson. “The golf partners, tennis partners, spa partners, equestrian partners, hospitality partners, and retail partners have all been super” remarked Presson. “We’ve done a lot of projects with these great companies and everyone is getting ready to hit the ground running in Maysville once the purchase closing is behind us,” he stated.

Kelly added, “Everyone needs to be patient. It is rare that a $600 million project tries to move forward in a relatively rural venue. Many of the traditional strengths of a venue are not in place, such as infrastructure, airports, and other significant attractions. It takes a great deal of time stating the case for this project and insuring everyone remains on board.”

Kelly believes that the lenders will be finishing their underwriting soon and will be issuing a date certain for closing. The moment we have that date, we will communicate it to the sellers, closing attorneys, and others that are waiting to complete this aspect of the development.

Justice Center construction month behind (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_056231157.html)
Workers confident they can make up lost time
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, February 25, 2008

CATLETTSBURG — A building is beginning to rise from the mass of concrete and steel in the center of Catlettsburg.

The Boyd County Justice Center is just a few months into construction but is already running more than a month behind schedule. Project organizers said they are confident workers can make up the lost time as the 65,000-square-foot building moves into subsequent phases later this year.

Jeff Lilly, project manager for the Administrative Office of the Courts, said a number of factors have contributed to the construction delays. He said work commenced later than expected and then “some issue with the concrete forms working as designed” developed. But Lilly added, “I’d rather be a little behind now and make sure the concrete is right than have something fail (later).”

Matt Davis, a superintendent with the construction management firm Codell, said the project is 34 days behind schedule. He said the curing process for concrete takes longer during the cold winter months but the placement of the building’s steel structures is already in progress on a section of the building.

“Everything is going good now,” Davis said. “The steel should be done in a couple of weeks.”

After the steel is completed workers will begin framing the building, he said.

“Then it will start looking like a buidling. In another month it will be looking different,” Davis added.

“I’m really pleased, we’re rolling along. It’s exciting to me to see something three dimensional,” said architect Rick Kremer. “This is really an exciting time; you really get to see what it’s going to look like.”

Lilly said he expects workers will try to make up lost time once the building is enclosed. The $19.5 million structure is on track for completion in early summer of 2009, Lilly said.

This parking structure features a first-floor commercial unit and is non-historical. The garage has been closed due to structural deterioration, and it's hideous façade will not be missed when it is demolished in favour of a new garage/retail.

St. Clair store purchase is $450,000 (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3367751)
By Paul Glasser, State Journal, February 26, 2008

The City Commission will pay $450,000 for the Judd's Office Products store and part of its site on St. Clair Street. The store is in a commercial building beneath the St. Clair Parking Garage.

The commission approved Monday night an agreement to purchase the building and one 25-foot-wide plot from Elliott Marcus. The one-story building stands on four other 25-foot lots and City Solicitor Rob Moore said discussions with the property owners are underway.

The garage was built above first-floor commercial spaces fronting St. Clair Street.

Owners of the Judd's site include the aunts, uncles and cousins of Mayor Bill May, who voted "present" on the agenda item because of his family ties to the deal.

The plan is to either replace or demolish the parking garage, and Moore said the purchase price was based on the appraised value. The parking garage is currently closed because of structural deterioration.

Other agenda items included a one-year contract renewal for Flint Group, a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. Commissioner Kathy Carter was the only one to vote against the measure.

She said the group has only given the commission bullet-point monthly reports that include little information. When Carter asked for more information, she said it took more than three months for Flint Group to respond.

"I don't believe they have done enough to warrant us paying $4,300 a month," she said. "In my opinion I don't think we should renew the contract."

May said the city would have to hire additional personnel to perform the same services the consultants provide. May had proposed that the contract be extended to a three-year agreement and Carter said she'll vote against that motion too.

Concerned citizen Diana Looney said no one has been able to show her what projects or grants the Flint Group has brought to the city.

"It sounds to me like the contract doesn't need to be renewed," she said.
The commission also affirmed an order to suspend a police officer who failed the annual physical fitness test.

Chief Walter Wilhoite said Officer William Barbee was suspended for six months without pay because he was unable to complete the 1.5-mile run in the allotted time of 17 minutes and 12 seconds.

Barbee will be reinstated if he can successfully complete the test and is allowed to retry three more times. Wilhoite said the test is based on police academy standards and includes sit-ups, pull-ups, strength and cardiovascular evaluations.

The commission also authorized staff to submit applications for several grants, including $225,000 for the Walk/Bike Frankfort project. The funds would be used to construct a shared-use path from River View Park to Cove Spring Park, with a 20 percent local match.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is also offering up to $250,000 for the Safe Routes to Schools Program. The funds would be used to repair and create sidewalks near K-8 schools in Franklin County.

Several expenditures for the Parks and Recreation Department were also approved, including $47,600 for sports equipment, including baseball and tennis gear. The parks department will also advertise bids up to $210,000 for 65 new golf carts.

The commission also honored longtime city employee Donna Roberts Monday night. An employee at the dispatch communications center, Roberts will retire Friday after more than 27 years. Other personnel actions include the appointment of Patrol Officer Michael Schneble and the resignation of public works employee Casandra Flanagan.

Several appointments to boards and commissions were also approved, including William Kirkland to the Board of Ethics and Corey Bellamy to the Code Enforcement Board. Bellamy was a spokesman for Attorney General Greg Stumbo and his term on the code board ends in March 2011.

Creating a safe place in a neglected space (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_057233044.html)
Safe Harbor renovating old TB hospital for transitional housing
By Tim Preston, The Independent, February 27, 2008

ASHLAND — A former sanitorium in Ashland will soon provide sanctuary for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault in Boyd, Greenup, Carter, Lawrence and Elliott counties.

The old TB hospital, which last served to provide state office space as well as housing a Kentucky State Police crime lab, is being renovated to allow Safe Harbor of Northeast Kentucky to provide permanent and supportive housing for women and children in a modern, safe and secure environment with a state of the art environment.

A pair of double-bar crosses, originally the symbol for the Kentucky Tuberculosis Association and now the American Lung Association, adorn the doorway at the old hospital, which is expected to be ready for new occupants by the spring of 2009.

Safe Harbor spokeswoman Diane Donahue said the site will be subject to renovations inside and out, with construction work starting soon. Exterior plans include grounds and gardens designed by Kim Jenkins of Ashland-based Sweetbay Landscaping.

“The new landscape design will include more privacy of our buildings, a playground, meditation garden, ponds and an herb and vegetable garden,” Donahue said, citing future improvement planned for the old hospital grounds.

The former hospital, office and lab space have been vacant for several years, Donahue said, explaining the interior remains a cold, dark and damp location as Safe Harbor employees and code enforcement officials perform preliminary inspections. The interior work will be performed by AU Associates of Lexington, whose specialties include transformation of neglected urban buildings with character into assets for communities.

“AU preserves places that tell their communities’ stories and helps people understand where they have come from,” Donahue said.

The interior work involves changing the regimented office and hospital rooms into one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, which will be permanent homes for abuse victims who would now be sheltered under Safe Harbor’s emergency and transitional housing spaces.

The renovated facility will also provide a full-time daycare program in addition to multipurpose rooms and an industrial kitchen for vocational training, as well as classrooms and meeting rooms. While there is a common public misperception about the viability of tuberculosis bacteria in vacant hospitals and other treatment facilities, no health threat remains in such buildings.

Safe Harbor currently provides housing for more domestic violence victims than any other shelter in Kentucky. Donahue said timing of the renovation announcement coincides with Safe Harbor’s 25th year of service to women and children of eastern Kentucky.

“The revitalization of the TB hospital is a metaphor for our clients as many have not had a new home to live in,” she said. “The revitalization can set the stage for an overall energizing of the spirit in a transformational manner.”

Danville commissioners question why projected size of new city hall building has doubled (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=38718&format=html)
By Bobbie Curd, Adcocate-Messenger, February 27, 2008

A steering committee overseeing the city hall renovation and expansion project presented plans Monday to the City Commission for 16,950 square feet of new construction.

But some commissioners questioned how the square footage had doubled in size from what was discussed earlier.

A final "footprint" was accepted by the committee last week as presented by architect Monica Sumner of Brandstetter and Carroll, and the group decided to recommend the city hire Codell Construction Co. to manage the project.

The committee reserved the right to make further changes to the plans after the construction manager starts.

The plans include renovating the existing city hall into a new police station and training facility, and adding about 8,000 square feet of new space for administrative offices. Plans also include a basement, which, if built, would remain partially unfinished.

Altogether, the new construction would total 16,950 square feet.

Final numbers take some by surprise

Commissioners Gail Louis and Terry Crowley, who are not members of the steering committee but attended last week's meeting, expressed concern about the size of the project.

"I was very taken aback when the architect said the final square footage," Louis said.

Crowley agreed, but also reminded Louis how the original plans had the City Commission chambers situated in the middle of the police department, which he said would not make sense.

"But I'm still skeptical," Crowley said.

Engineer Earl Coffey said the steering committee operated under the assumption that a basement was in order, and reminded commissioners that most of it would be empty under the new administration wing. Coffey said except for a staff lounge and exercise facility, it would be unused space on one side.

Commissioner Janet Hamner said the basement would be the city's insurance for growth purposes.

"Ultimately, the City Commission will make the decision to build the basement or not," Coffey said.

He said he could mention the concerns about the size to the steering committee but expects it to continue with plans to get a construction manager on board and then make changes.

Mayor Hugh Coomer asked at what point would the commission hear a cost estimate. Coffey said normally the construction manager would work with the city on this and then take the direction to scale it back if needed.

The commission voted unanimously to accept Codell Construction Co. as manager. The next steering committee meeting will be 1 p.m. March 6.

St. Clair tries to recover (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3397322)
By Charlie Pearl, State Journal, March 3, 2008

James "Eck" Broughton says the year since the St. Clair Street fire seems like 10.

"It's been a bad year " a year of depression, anger, frustration and disappointment," says Broughton, owner of the Downtown Bar, which an arsonist destroyed along with Tink's Bar-B-Q and apartments above those businesses.

The fire " set by Lexington resident Stephen Gregory Malcolm in the early morning of March 4 " also heavily damaged Serafini restaurant and The Brick Alley nightclub and displaced numerous residents who lived in apartments. No one was killed in the fire, although some suffered minor injuries. The economic toll reached $1.4 million.

For Broughton, a year of sadness is evolving into hope " hope his faithful customers will return when he reopens on March 15, and hope he will be able to work long enough to pay off all the money he owes from the fire.

"I lost a lot, probably $75,000 counting stock and everything," says Broughton, a 76-year-old Frankfort native. "I didn't have any insurance. It got so high I couldn't afford it. I'll have to work here until I drop dead."

On the morning of the fire, Broughton says Mayor Bill May shook his hand and promised him he would do everything he could to help downtown merchants reopen.

"I went to his office three times and called him four or five times, and he never did anything to help," Broughton says. "The city of Frankfort hasn't done anything, yet they want business downtown. They just want you to pay taxes."

Broughton says the city of Louisville gives grants to small businesses to boost the downtown economy, "and so has the city of Paris. It's not the city's fault the buildings burned, but if other cities can get grants to help small businesses, you know damn well the capital city could."

May recalls speaking to residents and business and property owners on March 4 and says he "offered any help possible from city government. City staff was directed to look at all options, such as grants and other programs."

May says he was involved in numerous discussions with then-Gov. Ernie Fletcher, his staff and other state agencies.

"Unfortunately, there was nothing anyone could find to help Mr. Broughton, a business owner who did not have insurance," May said on Saturday. "It is very unfortunate he did not have insurance and I am truly sorry there are no programs to help business owners who do not have insurance."

Overall, however, "it is encouraging to see the progress that has been made in restoring the buildings that were damaged by the fire," May added.

Broughton leases the first floor of the building from John and Roy Gray. Friday morning, John Gray brought in a display of tile floor samples, asking Broughton to pick the ones he wants.

"We're here to please," Gray says, smiling.

Broughton quickly selects two samples for a black-and-white checkered floor. Then he meets with a Coke salesman to talk about installing a soft drink machine.

Just getting reopened will be the most pleasing part for Broughton, who has "been in the bar business all my life. It's an experience. I've loved every day of it. You see a lot of tourists. You meet all classes of people " doctors, lawyers, senators and construction workers " and they all get along."

Light-colored walls will replace the old dark-paneled walls. Like old times, there will be two pool tables, a jukebox with country and pop music and a dartboard. A big picture of Daniel Boone survived the fire and will return, along with several other pictures that were water damaged but salvageable.

For preservationist John Gray " co-owner of most of the burned St. Clair Street buildings " the past year has gone by fast.

"I like fixing up old buildings," he says. "Most of the buildings stood here for 137 years before the fire. And I hope with the things we're doing now, they will stand for at least another 137."

He says a two-bedroom apartment over the Downtown Bar should be ready for occupancy in early April. That's where Malcolm's estranged girlfriend, Sara Barber, lived when Malcolm set fire to a phone book in the vestibule of the Downtown Bar.

Luckily, Barber and her dog, Imogene, escaped out the back of the apartment, rescued by Frankfort police officer Will King from an outside roof above the first floor.

"She would be welcomed to come back, but she rents from (downtown merchant) Ann Wingrove now," Gray says.

The Gray brothers purchased Tink Greenwell's building, next door to the Downtown Bar, and have offered Greenwell first choice on leasing the downstairs if he decides to reopen Tink's Bar-B-Q.

"We've done demolition and fire debris removal and have had an architect draw plans for it, but we haven't started the reconstruction," John Gray says. "It should be started by the first of April."

Also, the Serafini Bourbon Room, on the other side of the Downtown Bar, isn't ready to be reopened.

"We're trying to recreate the storefront as it was in 1871," Gray says. "We had to have parts for the storefront specially made and unfortunately the business (in Taylor County doing special woodwork) was damaged in a storm and isn't back up and operating yet."

The Bourbon Room storefront will have a different look than before the fire, "but it will look the same as when it was built," Gray says. "It's sort of a Phoenix story, buildings rising again out of the ashes. An 1870 fire on St. Clair destroyed buildings in the block, causing them to be rebuilt. Now history repeats itself."

Greenwell says he hasn't decided yet whether Tink's Bar-B-Q will repeat itself in the 300 block of St. Clair. It will be a family decision, he says.

It seems a lot longer than a year since his building was destroyed, he says, and he misses "tremendously" being downtown.

"The St. Clair Mall has been awfully good to me and my family," he says. "I've made a lot of friends down there. It's a unique place to do business."

The outdoor Bar-B-Q temporarily reopened in the block for a while after the fire, in front of The Bottom nightclub on the other side of the street. But then The Bottom closed.

The Brick Alley reopened months ago.

When asked Friday about his feelings toward Malcolm, Greenwell said, "I wouldn't even have remembered his name. I don't hold any bad feelings against him at all."

John Gray, a retired state government attorney, hasn't followed the court proceedings involving Malcolm.

"I think the justice system will be able to handle it," he says. "I'm just glad nobody was seriously injured."

Malcolm, 34, conditionally pleaded guilty in October to intentionally setting the fire after an initial May 1 "not guilty" plea.

David Guarnieri, Malcolm's attorney, says his client will appeal an earlier ruling that denied his request to suppress an admission of guilt he made to investigators about a month after the fire.

Malcolm faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release in connection with the federal charges.
He remains in custody at the Fayette County Detention Center. His sentencing is scheduled for March 10 in the downtown Frankfort federal courthouse.

Broughton says the fire has given St. Clair Street the appearance of a ghost town, and he hopes that changes soon.

Gray, in going through the rebuilding process, says he realizes more than ever "what a mistake it was for the city, when they removed the St. Clair Mall, not to provide two lanes of traffic and on-street parking on each side."

Without the extra-wide sidewalks, it could have been done, he says. "It could still be done with vision and leadership. If this block of St. Clair is going to prosper, it needs accessibility."

Going green to save some green (http://www.kentucky.com/454/story/337513.html)
EKU begins energy-saving initiative
By Ashlee Clark, Herald-Leader, March 5, 2008

RICHMOND -- Eastern Kentucky University might want to add green to its school colors as it embarks on an energy-saving initiative expected to save millions of dollars.

EKU officials announced Tuesday a 12-year partnership with Siemens Building Technologies Inc. that will include $22 million worth of energy efficiency improvements on campus. The project is one of the largest ventures of its nature in the country, according to Siemens.

"I think we are in a new position of leadership in the commonwealth," EKU President Doug Whitlock said.

Siemens representatives expect the changes to reduce EKU's utility bills by 30 percent or more.

The university spends $6.5 million a year on utilities, said James Street, associate vice president for capital planning and facilities planning.

The upgrades range from simple (replacement of incandescent bulbs with fluorescent lighting) to complex (installation of building controls to regulate temperature and occupancy sensors that will turn off lights if people aren't in the room). Heating and cooling retrofits and consumption-saving devices on plumbing will also be installed.

"I think this part of Kentucky is going to get a lot greener," Berndt Baumgartl, senior vice president of regional operations for Siemens, said Tuesday.

The plan is also appealing at a time when the state budget calls for tighter spending at universities. The project, despite its price tag, will not require money from EKU. The amount of money saved from the energy improvements will pay for the overall cost of the projects, Baumgartl said. If the money saved falls short, Siemens will pay the difference.

Siemens first submitted plans for the project in 2007, said Michael Azzara, business development manager for the company.

Siemens employs 1,100 people in Kentucky, said Steve Kuehn, media and community relations manager for Siemens.

Renovations will begin in late summer or early fall and should be minimally invasive, Street said.

Partnership with siemens
Eastern Kentucky University and Siemens Building Technologies are joining forces for a 12-year contract to reduce energy emissions at the school. EKU spends $6.5 million annually on utilities, and officials expect to save 30 percent with this partnership.

Based on Siemens' Greenhouse Gas Calculator, EKU will avoid emission of 77 million pounds of greenhouse gases, which is equivalent to:

• Preserving 37,662 acres of forest, or
• Removing 9,832 cars from the roads, or
• Conserving 105,091 barrels of oil, or
• Conserving 235 rail cars worth of coal.

Eastern Kentucky University
Students: 16,000
Buildings: 47 academic, 75 service/ support buildings and 15 residence halls will be affected by the changes
Savings to EKU: $6,200 a day

Siemens AG
German-based multinational corporation that operates in the industrial, health care and energy sectors.

Siemens Energy & Automation and Siemens Building Technologies Inc. are based in Louisville. Osram, the company's lighting division, and Sylvania operate manufacturing plants in Winchester and Versailles and have a distribution center in Versailles.

State approves designs for new judicial centers (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=38879&format=html)
By Todd Kleffman, Advocate-Messenger, March 4, 2008

http://www.amnews.com/public_html/photos/00029402-constrain-450x450.jpeg
^ Mercer County.

http://www.amnews.com/public_html/photos/00029401-constrain-450x450.jpeg
^ Garrard County.

FRANKFORT - Mercer and Garrard counties got two thumbs up Monday on their plans to build new judicial centers from state officials overseeing the projects.

The projects, which will see new court buildings completed in downtown Harrodsburg and Lancaster in 2010, got Phase A approval from the Court Facilities Standards Committee of the state Administrative Office of the Courts.

Teams from both counties presented the sites, facade drawings and floor plans for their judicial centers and drew few concerns from committee members.

The only red flag raised Monday concerned the positioning of the family courtroom and related offices in the floor plan for the second story of the Mercer County Judicial Center.

Jason Nemes, director of AOC, and Sen. Robert Stivers worried that access to the courtroom forced all participants to navigate around offices and use a narrow six-foot-wide hallway going in and out of the courtroom. That would create awfully close quarters for opposing parties in heated divorce, child custody and other domestic cases, they said.

"I've never been shot at, but I've come closer to it with a domestic dispute than with a murder trial," said Stivers, a former attorney from Clay County.

Mercer's architect, Dennis Arthur, said he would rework the floor plan to provide better access to the family courtroom from the public area and allow for a wider berth for parties to come and go without bumping into each other.

Another committee member, Supreme Court Chief Justice Joseph Lambert, wondered how Garrard County residents have reacted to the plan to put the new judicial center a block south of the existing courthouse on the square.

"The support has been overwhelming for this project and this site," Garrard Judge-Executive John Wilson said. "We've had no significant resistance from any of the property owners or anyone."

The two-story Garrard building will boast a contemporary design, featuring what architect Monica Sumner called a "curved, colonnaded entrance" with large white pillars fronting a glass mid-section with brick on either side.

District court and the clerk's office will take up the majority of the first floor, with circuit and family courtrooms and related offices occupying the second floor. The basement level will have a sally port for loading and unloading prisoners along with storage space for inactive case files.

Mercer's center uses a similar layout but its design is much more traditional, in keeping with Harrodsburg's historic downtown. The new building, which will be built on the site of the existing courthouse, will be a near clone of the colonial style structure it replaces - including the cupola and long, narrow windows - only it will be about twice as large.

"The history and tradition is very important to the people of Mercer County and we want to maintain the appearance of the existing facility," Arthur said. "This building is straight out of the colonial textbook."

Demolition of Mercer's courthouse is slated for late fall, with county offices and the court system to set up a temporary home in the former Gateway store two blocks away. Work is under way to renovate Gateway for its future tenants, said Mercer Judge-Executive John Trisler.

When the new judicial center is completed in 2010, it will be occupied solely by state courts and offices. All county offices will be located at the Gateway site, Trisler said.

The cost of justice

Mercer and Garrard counties both had funding for new judicial centers approved by the General Assembly in 2006.

Mercer's 35,600-square-foot center carries an estimated pricetag of $11.9 million.

Garrard will build a 33,400-square-foot facility at an estimated cost of $11.5 million.

Zoning request approved for land in Historic Perryville (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=38951&format=html)
By Bobbie Curd, Advocate-Messenger, March 6, 2008

A controversial rezoning request made by zoning commissioner Pete Coyle in November was narrowly approved Wednesday by a 5-4 vote. Coyle submitted the request to the Danville-Boyle County Planning and Zoning Committee to redesignate several acres of land zoned as agricultural to highway-commercial, single-family and multi-family housing, which he plans to sell for development purposes.

The property is on West Second Street, and a part of the Coyle family farm.

Since the request was made, residents and those interested in preserving the area's historical attractiveness attended meetings to voice concerns on how future developments would be overseen. Concerns were brought up about the possibility of Coyle selling the property, moving to Florida and leaving it in the hands of a developer who may not have the same passion for the historical value of the area as Coyle is said to.

In January, P&Z Director Paula Bary advised Coyle and his engineer to come up with restrictions and covenants for the committee to review, which they did.

Although Coyle was not present Wednesday for the continuance of the discussion, his engineer and newly-appointed attorney were. Several committee members were confused about Coyle's statement, recorded from January's meeting, indicating he was fine with giving the Perryville Battlefield and the City of Perryville all the rights of overseeing development in the area.

Doug Gooch, with AGE Engineering, said what Coyle meant was after the covenants and restrictions were accepted, "Coyle is willing to turn over enforcement of covenants and restrictions, all the enforcement rights," but said the design of the buildings would be maintained within the restrictions.

Daughters of the Confederates' Spokesperson Sherry Robinson, who has been in opposition to most of the idea, told the commission there were still questions as to why certain things were not in writing that Coyle had "given a gentleman's word" about. She said things like an agricultural easement or creation of a walking path on Old Mackville Road were not spelled out.

State funding sought by committee

Previously, Coyle said he was in talks with the battlefield's preservation committee, who was working with the state to secure funding on taking control of some of the land. Chris Kolakowski, director of the Perryville Enhancement Project, said that movement with the state has since stalled, but that his group and the state parks department were still interested.

Perryville Mayor Anne Sleet said talks about enforcing any covenants or restrictions has not been discussed.

"Our attorney said this was not to even be discussed until a plat was finalized through P&Z," Sleet said. She said Perryville is still working to create an ordinance to protect its historical buildings.

"I feel like Mr. Coyle is being asked to make a lot of commitments, but no one is willing to make one back to him," said Commissioner Jeffrey Baird.

An exchange took place between Baird and Kolakowski about a discrepancy in the difference between the city of Perryville being listed on the National Registry of Historical Districts, and the core battlefield preservation area. Kolakowski did demonstrate the entire city of Perryville is on the registry, but added Coyle seemed to be doing his job.

"Two independent federal agencies have identified it as nationally historic. But I would say that Pete (Coyle) has done a good job of laying it out for us, by offering to let us enforce the area," Kolakowski said.

Chairman Gary Chidester said most of the concerns would be met when the plats are presented to the board for approval, but offered some tough love for Coyle. He said Coyle had placed his engineer in a very tough position by not being at the meeting.

"He needed to be here to talk to these people, and I think it's unfortunate that he's not. We recommended he be here," Chidester said.

Baird said he felt Coyle was making the appropriate concessions, and felt the restrictions are in very good faith. He made the motion to accept the zone change with the exception that the wording be changed that the covenants can be enforced by the battlefield and the City of Perryville, not the design of the development.

Jerry Leber seconded the motion, and also in favor were Hugh Mahon, George Johnson and John Forsythe.

Committee members Chidester, Tommy Norville, Chris Hill and Becky Scholtz were opposed.

Skylar's landing will be unique in Harrodsburg (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=38944&format=html)
By Larry Vaught, Advocate-Messenger, March 6, 2008

Eddie Montgomery has had a No. 1 hit, performed at venues across the country, entertained troops overseas and helped various charitable organizations.

However, the country music singer from Perryville has always had one other dream.

"Eddie has always wanted a restaurant," says his wife, Tracy.

Now he's going to have one.

Eddie Montgomery Steakhouse will be a major part of a new development called Skylar's Landing - named after Montgomery's granddaughter - on the bypass in Harrodsburg.

"There won't be anything like it around here. It is going to be unbelievable. It is going to have a lodge-type theme and be really nice. It will be like a dinner theater because we are going to have a lot of acts coming in," the singer says. "I want to not only have the new acts, but the old acts as well."

As part of the development, there will be a convention center capable of hosting major acts. However, the Montgomerys don't want anyone to think the restaurant is their main emphasis.

"We want to have a wonderful restaurant that everyone will enjoy," Eddie says. "We are going to have a chef, but don't worry about the prices or getting enough food. I love to eat, so there has to be a lot of food. I can't handle just a little bit of food myself."

"You will get a lot of food for your money. Eddie has made that clear," Tracy says.

However, the couple want it to be a memorable experience.

"If people want to come out and see the Kentucky football and basketball games, we will have a place for that. We might have a blue-white night," Eddie says. "Maybe people will come in during the week, buy a steak or one of our other meals and see some of the older artists that don't have a lot of places to play anymore like a Mel Tillis or Ronnie Millsaps. You will have dinner and a show.

"I will be hanging out there a lot when I am not on the road. Plus we already have some commitments from artists who have said they would love to come down and stop in. It can be really, really cool. When we bring in the shows, we want to find local talent that can open up the shows. You never know where that next star is at."

Danville and Lexington initially considered

The Montgomerys tried to find a spot for the restaurant and development in Danville, but either zoning constraints or price kept them from finding the right spot. They also were approached about locating in Lexington before finding the location they liked in Harrodsburg.

The restaurant will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Eddie's sister, Becky Hawkins, will be the director of operations - and possible part-time entertainer. Tommy and Gwinn Mitchell, who are involved with the development, also will be involved in the operations.

"We want this to be so unique," Eddie says. "We want to have craft shops outside. I want to get a flyfishing thing or something for the guys because everywhere I go, all the craft-type things are geared for the ladies. We want something for men, too, because we want everyone to be able to look around and enjoy their time with us."

Inside the restaurant, the Montgomerys plan to have memorabilia from local high schools as well as the University of Kentucky.

"We want to spread it around because so many people support us," Eddie says.

Naturally, there will be plenty of Montgomery Gentry specialty items on display, too.

"It will have different guitars and platinum albums for people to see. It will have a lot of Eddie's stuff," Tracy says.

The Montgomerys want to start breaking ground for the restaurant later this month in hopes the restaurant will be open around Oct. 1

"We are so excited about this," Eddie says. "To me, this area is just great, and we only want to add to it. We have so much to offer around here with Constitution Square, the Great American Brass Band Festival, Fort Harrod, Perryville Battlefield and on and on. Now we want to offer something unlike anything else in Kentucky where you can enjoy a great show and listen to some great music. I just think it will be awesome."

Construction at ACTC to be on camera (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_069233038.html)
By Mike James, The Independent, March 9, 2008

COALTON — Ashland Community and Technical College will star in its own reality series.

In a manner of speaking.

Workers already are busy at the EastPark campus of ACTC, building an addition that will more than triple the size of the facility there.

And ACTC’s techies have set up a camera to record the whole thing and stream it to the college’s Web site.

The camera is mounted in the foyer area of the existing building and shows a panoramic view of the construction site.

It will record construction and stream it in real time to the ACTC Web site, said college spokesman John McGlone.

At the same time, it will snap still shots every 10 seconds or so. The stills will be archived and eventually compiled into a time-lapse movie, which will compress the entire months-long construction process into a few minutes, McGlone said.

The Web site connection has not yet been set up, but once it is, there will be a link to click for viewing, McGlone said.

Construction itself has been slowed somewhat because of bad weather that delayed concrete pouring, said dean of administrative services Stu Taylor.

Most of the foundation work is done and ACTC is negotiating with Ashland for city water service.

“Then we’ll be ready to start with the structural steel,” he said.

The 140,000-square-foot addition will house administrative offices, student services, classrooms, labs and workshop areas for technical programs.

Original projections called for the addition to be opened sometime this year, but now officials estimate it will be ready sometime in the fall of 2009.

Originally conceived as two buildings to be erected in separate construction phases, the projects were combined into a single structure.

Total cost of the project will be about $36 million.

Perryville battle site 'endangered' (http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/344936.html)
By Greg Kocher, Herald-Leader, March 12, 2008

The possibility of nearby development has landed Perryville, site of the largest Civil War battle fought in Kentucky, on a list of the nation's "10 most endangered Civil War battlefields."

The land where the Battle of Richmond was fought was also among another 15 "at risk" sites mentioned by The Civil War Preservation Trust.

The trust, based in Washington, D.C., is the nation's largest non-profit battlefield preservation organization.

Perryville was also named one of the most endangered battlefields in the early 1990s by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission, a group appointed by Congress and the Secretary of the Interior. The Richmond site was on the trust's "most endangered" list earlier this decade.

The trust's designation of Perryville as among the "10 most endangered" recognizes "that there is some sort of identifiable threat to the battlefield that may materially change its appearance or some aspect of its preservation," said Chris Kolakowski, executive director of the Perryville Enhancement Project. That organization seeks to preserve and interpret historic sites in and around Perryville.

"We say all the time that Perryville is a site of national significance," Kolakowksi added. "Well, this just reinforces the fact that what goes on here doesn't just impact Boyle County, doesn't just impact Kentucky. What goes on here impacts people across the country."

Although Perryville is considered one of the most pristine Civil War battlefields in the country, it has encountered some threats to its vistas in recent years.

Recently the Boyle County Planning and Zoning Commission forwarded to Perryville City Council a rezoning proposal for highway commercial and high-density residential uses at a 20-acre site next to the 1862 battlefield, Kolakowski said. The proposal will be considered in coming weeks by the Perryville City Council for a final decision.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Sons of Confederate Veterans have expressed concerns about the proposed rezoning, Kolakowski said.

"We've been working with the developer to try and make sure that preservation and development are balanced in a responsible way," Kolakowski said.

The proposed mixed-use development isn't the only area of concern for Perryville. In 2005, there was a proposal for a cell tower along U.S. 68.

"That proposal appears to be dead, but there are persistent proposals every now and then to put cell towers ... within a 2- or 3-mile radius of the battlefield, which would really impact the historic viewshed," Kolakowski said.

Of the 669 acres now part of the battlefield, 385 were acquired with funding from the trust, Kolakowski said.

Of the Richmond battlefield, the trust's report said a new highway interchange at Duncannon Road off Interstate 75 "will only increase the already intense development pressure created by Richmond's location 25 miles southeast of Lexington."

Antietam, Md.
Cedar Creek, Va.
Cold Harbor, Va.
Hunterstown, Pa.
Monocacy, Md.
Natural Bridge, Fla.
Perryville, Ky.
Prairie Grove, Ark.
Savannah, Ga.
Spring Hill, Tenn.
Brandy Station, Fort Monroe and Petersburg, Va.
Fort Morgan, Ala.
Fort Stevens in Washington D.C.
Glorieta, N.M.
Hoke's Run and Shepherdstown, W. Va.
Honey Spring, Okla.
Kennesaw Mountain and Lovejoy's Station, Ga.
Mansfield, La.
Richmond, Ky.
South Mountain, Md.
Yadkin River, N.C

Judicial center groundbreaking scheduled (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_073091006.html)
By Brad Hicks, Times Tribune, March 13, 2008

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Laurel County Judicial Center will be Thursday, March 20, at the current courthouse location.

Work recently got underway on the new center, a project which has been years in the making. Laurel County Judge-Executive Lawrence Kuhl said the process started in the 1990s when it was determined that all courtrooms and courthouses needed to be brought up-to-date.

“It’s been years trying to get funding through the General Assembly,” he said.

Kuhl said the project was approved about two years ago. The new judicial center will be a four-story, approximately 83,000-square-foot structure and will cost around $25 million for its total construction.

“The county will be the owner of it,” Kuhl said. “We will do the bond issue.”

However, Kuhl added the center’s construction will be funded by the state. Kuhl also added the center should be up and running relatively soon.

“We’re hoping to have it completed in two years time and then have an official dedication of the building,” he said.

Next Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony will start at 2 p.m. indoors in the Courthouse Community Room on the first floor of the Laurel County Courthouse, and move outdoors, weather permitting, to the future site of the new judicial center a few blocks away on Main Street. The ceremony is open to the public.

“Anybody that would want to come, we welcome them,” Kuhl said.

Justice center location still undecided (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_073085533.html)
Judge-executive calls for special meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday
By Samantha Swindler, Times Tribune, March 13, 2008

The Whitley County Project Development Board held another meeting Wednesday, but after talking with property owners for nearly two hours in executive session, made no decision on the location of the future justice center.

“We have been unable to finalize property acquisition at this time,” Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. said after emerging from the board’s executive session. He set a special meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday to continue discussions with property owners.

No decision has been made between the two sites for consideration — one owned by the Upton family along South 2nd Street, and another comprised of a group of properties collectively called the riverfront, downtown properties.

White said Wednesday he personally preferred the downtown site, but added that didn’t mean financial issues would necessarily allow it to happen.

“Certainly we are under some financial constraints, and we have to keep our options open,” White said.

Last month, the board met to review the appraisals that had come back for two parcels of property. During that meeting, White said the appraisal on the downtown property came back “slightly over budget,” but he didn’t go into any further detail about the price.

The downtown parcels include Williamsburg’s city hall, the old Whitley County jail, the city garage, a parking lot and other property. White said the county had hoped to get $200,000 for the old jail, using that money for courthouse renovation, but the old jail was appraised at $115,000.

If the project development board wants to go with the downtown location, it may have to consider paying below appraised value for some of the properties. The Administrative Office of the Courts, which is funding the project, rarely pays for property at more than the appraised value.

The new justice center will house the district and circuit courtrooms and the circuit clerk’s office, along with other expanded office and courtroom space. The AOC has budgeted $980,000 of the $18 million project for property acquisition.

Also during the meeting, the board approved payment of $22,500 to Allgeier Company of Louisville for the appraisals, pending approval by the AOC.

New station to be ready by August (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3468092)
By Josh Sullivan, State Journal, March 14, 2008

Frankfort Police will have a new home by early August.

City commissioners learned at a work session Thursday night that the $10 million project to build a new police station on Second Street is on track.

"We're coming in on time and under budget," said Billy Lane, project manager for Codell Construction, the company hired in 2006 to build the new station.

In addition to police headquarters, the building will house Frankfort Fire Department administrative offices, the central dispatch center and the Emergency Operations Center.

"This has been a priority of the commission for a long time," City Manager Tony Massey said.

Though there'd been speculation that the project might cost up to $4 million more, commissioners were pleased that the city will not need additional loans to complete construction.

"Ten million will cover all the costs," Massey said. "There will be no need to ask for any additional money."

Massey cites the incorporation of competitive bidding for multiple facets of the job as one reason the project has not exceeded the original estimate.

Several subcontractors were hired to work on different parts of the project and each had to bid competitively against others for rights to their particular job.
Codell Construction handled the bidding process and reported the bids to the commission, which then voted on which ones to accept.

"Codell has done a great job," Mayor Bill May said. "We are all ecstatic it's coming in below budget."

One of the steps toward completion of the project is outfitting the building with furniture and equipment. Florida-based architect Keith Reeves, whose company was hired to design the new building, told commissioners of the two lowest bids he'd received for the job of equipping the station.

He recommended the board accept the bid of Frankfort-based Cardinal Office Systems, which offered an estimate of $176, 397.

"This way the money stays within Frankfort and is recycled within the community," Reeves said. "The furnishings will be appropriate for government buildings. There's no leather, no bells and whistles."

The next lowest bid was Hurst Interiors, Lexington, which was about $40,000 more.

Commissioners will decide between the two at the March 24 meeting.
"I've always been an advocate for us doing business here in Frankfort," Commissioner Kathy Carter said. "It will be good to know that money is staying here at home."

Reeves had been given a budget of $350,000 to furnish the station. The surplus would likely be used to purchase electronic equipment for the Emergency Operations Center.

The city will also have to make a direct purchase of bunk beds from the Kentucky state prison system, which, by law, cannot sell equipment to a non-government agency. Reeves said that expenditure shouldn't amount to more than a few hundred dollars.

New Fort Logan Hospital to open April 11 (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=39258&format=html)
Advocate-Messenger, March 17, 2008

STANFORD — The new Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital is scheduled to open April 11, the same day that the current facility will close.

“We are very excited to announce the opening date of our new hospital,” said Mike Jackson, president.

“We have been looking forward to that day for many months, and it’s with great anticipation we await April 11 as our opening date.”

Jackson said the staff is transitioning from the old to the new hospital with some outpatient services already available at the facility.

The staff will begin moving into the acute-care area in early April with the final move of patients on April 11.

All services at the 124 Portman Ave. location will be discontinued on April 11 once all patients have been transferred.

“This new facility is something that all of Lincoln and Garrard counties have anticipated for some time,” Jackson said. “Even though our opening has been delayed, I feel confident that everyone will be very pleased with the appearance of the facility and the expanded services the new hospital will offer our communities.”

The new 54,000-square-foot facility is at 110 Metker Trail and will have an expanded emergency department and obstetrics unit, two operating rooms, an expanded imaging department, an in-house rehabilitation area, outpatient diagnostics and 25 total private room beds.

Already open within the new hospital are Stanford Medical Park’s Immediate Care Clinic, which provides services for acute illnesses and injuries from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week; MedSource of Stanford, a provider of home medical equipment and oxygen supplies; and Lincoln Physical Therapy, which offers physical, occupational and speech therapy services.

A public open house of the new facility will be scheduled in late April.

Riverfront park to break ground (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_082224421.html)
Thursday a celebration of project’s start
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, March 23, 2008

ASHLAND — A long awaited groundbreaking on Ashland’s riverfront park is slated for Thursday evening.

Construction on the project won’t begin for several more months, but city officials say there are plenty of reasons to celebrate now.

Ashland City Manager Steve Corbitt said one of the biggest reasons is the city’s crucial U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit needed to reclaim land currently under the Ohio River is expected to be delivered to the city before Thursday. The permit had held up progress on the project for months and was a point of contention between the city and the local waterways association.

The riverfront park’s most powerful steward, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, will also be in town for Thursday’s event. McConnell is lauded for making the project a reality. He secured a $10.2 million earmark in the 2005 Highway Reauthorization Bill for Ashland’s park, which is currently the only funding source the city has for the project.

The city will ultimately receive an amount less than the original $10.2 million authorized by Congress, but city officials say they are grateful to McConnell and hope he will be able to secure another multimillion-dollar allotment for subsequent phases in the next highway bill.

Festivities will begin at the riverfront at 5 p.m. and will include the Paul G. Blazer High School marching band. Two Marathon Refinery fire boats are also expected to put on a show, and McGinnis Inc.’s newest tug boat will be present at the event.

The riverfront park will also be formally named during the ceremony, said Ashland Mayor Steve Gilmore.

“We really believe it’s a historic groundbreaking. This development of the riverfront is going to reap unbelievable benefits,” Gilmore said. “It will complement what we’re trying to do downtown. It will be something the entire Tri-State is going to benefit from. I’m proud to be involved in it at this point in Ashland’s history.”

Before construction can begin, there are several more tasks to be completed, Corbitt said. Engineers with KZF Design have been waiting on the reclamation permit to ensure no changes are needed in final engineering plans, which must then be submitted to the state Transportation Cabinet for approval.

The Cabinet has indicated it will need 10 to 12 weeks to review the plans, Corbitt said. Once approved, the bid packages for phase one construction will be prepared and could be let near the beginning of June, he said. If all goes according to plan, construction will start immediately after Summer Motion — the city’s annual Independence Day celebration.

Phase one will take place on the eastern most section of the riverfront property between the railroad tracks and the river. In addition to reclaiming the river and creating several hundred feet of river wall, the first phase includes a boat ramp and access drive, public restrooms and a lookout point. Portions of the walkways, which will eventually be a part of the sidewalk “ribbons” running through the park, will also be constructed in phase one.

Just how much of the park is built during phase one depends on the bid prices contractors give the city, Corbitt said. Officials have estimated approximately $9.5 million for the phase’s construction but they are uncertain how much money remains in the federal earmark.

The city has spent $500,000 on preliminary engineering and has requested an additional $350,000 be paid for final engineering by the Cabinet, which administers the funds for the federal government.

The $10.2 million ear-mark was a maximum amount the city could receive under the Federal Highway Reauthorization Bill, but the city will actually receive somewhat less than that. The highway bill is different from regular bills in that it is authorized for five years but by Congress funded annually.

Each year, Congress puts an obligation limit on the bill as a way for appropriations to control highway spending. That means the $10.2 earmark for Ashland has shrunk annually based on the percentage of obligation limit placed on it each fiscal year.

Ashland officials said last week they were aware the funds were shrinking annually but said they do not know how much money has been lost through the annual obligation limits.

“They haven’t told us what the less is,” Corbitt said, adding the difference won’t be “catastrophic.”

“If we have something less than $9.5 million, we’ll reclaim as much of the river as we can,” he said. “We will build what we can build.”

The city plans to build somewhere between 700 feet and 900 feet of the planned 1,200 river wall in phase one. As the most expensive component of the project, Corbitt said, the city will only build as much wall as it can afford in phase one.

“We will trim it back to fit the money, unless the commission decides to throw some of their own money in. It’s a possibility but isn’t a likelihood,” he said.

Gilmore said regardless of how much of the wall is done in phase one, the park will be usable to the public even if it is years before phase two or three are completed.

“It’s going to be a standalone. Phases two and three will be additional things to enhance the riverfront park,” he said. “It’s a monumental plan and we’re going to try to see it reaches it’s total fruition. Our citizens are worth it.”

Phase two includes more river reclamation and additional development of the park area between the river and the floodwall. Phase three includes the passenger walkways over the railroad tracks and development of the park areas outside the floodwall.

Mercer judicial center project could be put on hold (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=39288&format=html)
By Megan Jones, Advocate-Messenger, March 18, 2008

HARRODSBURG - A $55 million deficit in the judicial branch of Kentucky's state budget could postpone the proposed Mercer County Judicial Center project.

After presenting the Mercer County Judicial Center plans to the state, architects presented the state's recommendations at a Monday morning Mercer County Project Development Board meeting.

The project potentially could be affected by the budget deficit, said Jeff Lilly, project manager for the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Lilly said the Mercer County Judicial Center project should not be one of the first few projects cut from the budget. In total, AOC has 35 judicial projects planned across the state. About half of that amount could be cut if Kentucky's chief justice decides to start cutting AOC projects to make up the $55 million, Lilly said after the meeting.

"There are projects not as far along as this one, it's mid-range," Lilly said. "Other projects would be cut before (this one). We've gone this far this quickly. We're hopefully to the safe area, as safe as it can be at this point."

The final word on the Mercer County Judicial Center project will be known once the budget is finished at the state level. The project won't get cut completely, but will most likely get postponed if AOC doesn't have money in the budget to fund it. The project would be presented for funding again next year.

"We're confident, but not sure," said Mercer County Judge-Executive John Trisler.

The project will continue on to a point. It will take about $4 million to cover total design and some demolition work on the building.

The development board agreed to present its first payment to architectural firm CMW Inc. for $100,084 and Codell Construction Co. for $10,700.

Plan revisions

The site plan was revised before Monday's meeting to reflect the state's recommendations.

The courthouse now is double the size of the existing footprint and is now 40 feet from the street instead of 60 feet, said architect Dennis Arthur. The building was moved closer to the front of the lot to accommodate more parking at the back. The board will meet with the city to discuss street parking as well.

The plans were significantly larger than the square footage that had been recommended. CMW Inc. corrected the suggestions and decided to remove a public elevator to the basement of the building. Removing the elevator eliminated $100,000 from the expenses. The drug court area, originally in the basement, was moved to the first floor of the design.

District court offices also were altered to include two offices and a secretarial area.

"It was a compromise we had to make," Arthur said.

The new design incorporates the same look as the existing courthouse. Retaining walls on the left and right sides of the building will cover gray cement on each side of the building.

Concerning the external design of the proposed building, Trisler said he's heard a few positive comments.

"Sometimes I don't hear positive comments, but people seem to like the exterior design," he said.

Trisler said he feels the external appearance is pretty important, whereas the inside serves more of a functional purpose.

A limestone wall running along North Chiles Street will be a big concern for the elevation of the building, Arthur said. If the wall cannot be removed, the courthouse will be higher than the street pavement, instead of at street level if the limestone wall can be removed.

"If we can't move the stone wall, it will raise grades," Arthur said. "It's a major determining factor of how the building is placed. I hope we can have a slight grade right into the building," Trisler said.

Phase A will soon start into Phase B design documents. During this phase, 60 percent of working development drawings and floor plans will be completed.

"It's a pretty quick review," Arthur said. "We'll keep everyone informed as we go along."

The process to draw up the second set of plans will take a month or two. In the meantime, the architectural firm will continue conversation with the development board, receiving comments back and incorporating changes. The Mercer County Development Board's next meeting will be 8 a.m. April 21 in the fiscal courtroom.

Danville proceeds with $6 million building plan (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=39419&format=html)
By Bobbie Curd, Advocate-Messenger, March 21, 2008

Danville City Commission voted 3-2 Thursday to move forward with plans for a $6.13 million renovation and expansion of city hall.

The city wants to build an addition onto city hall of roughly 16,000 square feet, which includes both the main floor and the basement. The existing building would be renovated for use by the police department.

The total project would cost an estimated $6.13 million unless commissioners decide later to scale it back.

City Engineer Earl Coffey said if the commission makes a cash contribution of $565,000, the remaining amount to be financed with bonds would be $5.65 million, with an annual debt payment of $329,000.

Mayor Hugh Coomer and Commissioner Gail Louis voiced concerns that the project will financially cut the city short in other areas.

Coomer said the vote to move forward with the plan as it stands now is like "putting the cart before the horse" when the commission has not yet figured out the 2008-09 budget.

Coffey explained the debt service strategy for the project. In addition to $200,000 the commission already has allocated, there is $115,000 in non-allocated funds, beginning in fiscal year 2009.

"I think looking at this like 'how much money do we have to spend on the facility' is the wrong thing to do," Commissioner Terry Crowley said.

Plan based on need

He said the steering committee heading up the design came up with the plan based on practicality and need, and the city has known for some time that it needs more space.

"We now have a plan that provides us with the extra space, and that's not a bad thing," Crowley said. But he added he's not sure that 8,000 square feet multiplied by two (which includes the basement of the addition) is the best idea.

"On paper we can afford it with current revenues, but that doesn't mean we create more space than is needed," Crowley said.

Coomer said he is mainly concerned with services the city can offer and thinks that is what draws citizens and industry to the area. He fears taxes will have to be raised to continue improving those services while the city pays for the construction project.

"We don't allocate money, the commission does this," said City Manager Paul Stansbury. "The staff will allocate the money where we're told. If you want to put the $6 million somewhere else, we will."

Coffey told the mayor that by building the new city hall, "You're encouraging (city) staff by them knowing you're fulfilling their needs."

"Every player in this had concerns about whether their needs would be met, until we got to the 8,000 square foot number. Then all their concerns were met. We're going to spend an amount that everyone can and will argue about, but we have to do it," Hamner said.

Coffey told the commission if it proceeds with the current plans, it can go through the design and development phase and still continue to refine the cost. Jim Martin with Codell Construction agreed.

"That's the way it's normally done," Martin said.

Commissioners Crowley, Hamner and Kevin Caudill voted in favor of moving on, while Coomer and Louis voted against it.

Mercer P&Z gives nod to Skylar's Landing (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=39103&format=html)
By Megan Jones, Advocate-Messenger, March 12, 2008

HARRODSBURG - Country star Eddie Montgomery's dream of owning a restaurant is one step closer to becoming a reality.

A map amendment for Skylar's Landing on the Harrodsburg bypass made it through the Greater Harrodsburg/Mercer County P&Z Commission on Monday night, but not without concern.

"I have more questions than concerns," said Rex Graham, speaking on behalf of his mother, Rosalene. "She's lived there 52 years. I know she wants to see it green for the rest of her time on Beaumont Avenue."

Montgomery's partners, Tommy and Gwen Mitchell, also requested the amendment be put on the fast track for implementation. A special meeting, costing $850, will be held at 5:30 p.m. today so the project can be sent to Harrodsburg City Commission by its next meeting.

Kendal Wise, of Vantage Engineering PLC, spoke on behalf of Mongomery and Mitchell. The restaurant, Eddie Montgomery's Steakhouse, will be part of Skylar's Landing.

Wise said the only confirmed part of the landing would be the steakhouse; the other shops and conference center are preliminary. Larger changes in the area, especially the Wal-Mart development and water and sewer extension, and zone changes since the Comprehensive Plan was enacted in 2004, have changed the development plan somewhat.

"Property, in general, when a new bypass goes in, typically see development occur on the inner part of the bypass," he said. "We placed it where development would be desirable."

Potential for economic change

P&Z Executive Director Shawn Moore, in his report, said that the economic desirability and the development's ability to improve residents' lives are two factors in recommending the plan. In other words, there is the potential for enough economic change to forward the recommendation to the city.

"There is potential for strong economic increase in the area," he said.

Changes to add sewer access to the development later also would improve the lives of residents near the development. Last year, water access was extended to Beaumont Avenue, but sewer service was not. Graham's mother, Rosalene, still uses a septic tank on her property, he said.

Graham expressed concern about how and when sound buffers and city roadways would be built near Beaumont Avenue.

The development project also might be "a bit of an eyesore," he said, since the house will be facing the back of it.

Moore said when the lots are subdivided, each commercial lot bordering a lot with a conflicting zone would build a noise buffer between the conflicting lots. The buffers would be placed on the property as the properties develop.

As for roadways, they would probably be built from the main entrance on the bypass and be added as the rest of the project developed. Time and development changes may even alter the location of the road, Moore said.

"It might not ever make it to Beaumont Avenue," he said.

Justice center site still a secret (http://www.themoreheadnews.com/local/local_story_081121717.html)
By Stephanie Ockerman, Morehead News, March 21, 2008

Committee members have yet to officially name the site for the county’s new justice center, but recent activity suggests a site has been selected.

Surveyors have been busy the past few weeks at property located at West Main Street and Norman Wells Lane and the former Cowden property that now belongs to Morehead State.

“The justice center not (locating) in the downtown business district will be a significant blow to the hope of bringing businesses back to downtown Morehead,” said councilman Al Baldwin during the March 10 meeting of Morehead City Council.

Baldwin’s comments came during council’s discussion with members of a small business support group called Uniquely Morehead.

At the regular fiscal court meeting on Tuesday, magistrates approved issuing $13.5 million in bonds for a court facilities project.

The committee that will select a site has been meeting since last fall to determine the best location to build the center. All county offices and circuit and district court rooms will be housed there.

The justice center committee is comprised of Circuit Judge William Mains, District Judge Bill Lane, Judge-executive Jim Nickell, magistrate Jerry Flannery, attorney Paul Stokes, Jerry Ravenscraft and Jerry Alderman.

One issue the committee is considering is how much it will cost the county to transport inmates from the current jail to the justice center.

Demolition clean-up begins (http://www.themoreheadnews.com/local/local_story_081123023.html)
By Vanessa Overholser, Morehead News, March 21, 2008

Attracting more tourists and larger conferences to Morehead is the goal of the Morehead Tourism Commission and city officials. The demolition of a longtime business district to help reach that goal began March 15.

The purchase was approved for $766,000 and the old Layne’s building, 118 East Main Street, across from city hall, is being torn down for a parking lot. Larry Breeze was approached by the tourism commission about purchasing the property.

“The purpose for the transaction was so they can knock the buildings down to construct a parking lot,” Breeze said. “The city asked if I would sell it to the conference center.”

The building has quite a history. Originally, there was a house sitting on the property. That house was built in 1920 and AD McKinney owned it, which was Bill Layne’s grandfather’s home.

During its history, the building was used for different businesses. The following businesses were in the building throughout the years: Bob Bishop’s Drug Store, a bike shop, a pet shop, McKinney’s Department Store, Judy’s Shop (clothing store), Layne’s Department Store, The Spinning Wheel, Country Class and an ice cream shop. In the rear of the building was a printing office, recruiting office and Pathways.

“Also there were apartments in the old house and upstairs there were apartments throughout,” Breeze said.

Since the construction of the Morehead Conference Center, the city has attracted different groups to host conferences. Because of limited space during conferences and events, parking was a problem for both the conference center attendees and citizens. Also the limited space limited the size and length of conferences at the center. This prompted the commission to approach Breeze about selling them the property.

“As a part of the price, the seller (Larry Breeze) is tearing down the building and cleaning up the debris,” said Mayor David Perkins.

Those who are concerned about the safety and health risks due to the disposal of the debris do not have to worry. Morehead City Council has the project under control, according to the mayor.

“We are making sure he (Larry Breeze) is following all environmental codes. We are having him bring us landfill receipts,” Perkins said. “Dickie Blair (Blair Excavating) knows what he is doing and he is doing a good job with separating what goes in the landfill.”

For Perkins, demolishing an old building is a sacrifice but improving the city’s image is very important.

“It’s a better view from here. We always hate to see old buildings go,” Perkins said. “We are willing to do anything we can do to offer a better view for our visitors and our citizens.”

The parking lot will not be just a blank lot paved with spaces. It will have landscaping as well, Perkins said.

“We are conscious of our image to the outside world,” he added.

“We want to attract conferences where people would stay overnight, which would help get services for restaurants and gas stations,” said city councilman Bill Patrick.

“They will not come here if they are bussed,” Patrick said. “I am really hoping that the conference center will be able to attract larger conferences to the city. We did not have the sufficient parking for such events.”

I hope it is successful for the conference center and for the people downtown,” Patrick said. “They can use it because it is city-owned.”

Helping downtown businesses is also a part of the goal. Having a severe lack of parking as been a handicap to downtown businesses for some time, Patrick added.

“The completion of the demolition project is expected to be finished in April,” Breeze added. “This includes the removal of all the rubble and the debris.”

Whitley Judicial Center takes step forward (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_084100842.html)
Council grants authority to sell property to fiscal court for center
By Sean Bailey, Times Tribune, March 24, 2008

Plans to build the new Whitley Judicial Center in downtown Williamsburg took another step forward Friday.

A special executive meeting of the Williamsburg City Council granted Mayor Roddy Harrison the authority to purchase properties for City Hall, maintenance and fire hall, pending approval of the plans by the Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort (AOC).

In addition, the council granted Harrison authority to sell the city’s property that is located on 2nd Street to the Whitley County Fiscal Court for construction of the new Judicial Center. The property includes City Hall, maintenance and fire hall buildings. These plans are also dependent on approval by the AOC.

Because negotiations are still under way, Harrison wasn’t able to comment specifically on what land the city is planning on purchasing for the new City Hall, maintenance and fire hall. The mayor did say, though, that he and the council have a “really good idea” of where the new buildings will be located, and that negotiations with the landowners are going well.

“When all is said and done, downtown will be changed forever and those people working with us deserve a lot of credit,” Harrison said.

The new Judicial Center will house the district and circuit court rooms and the circuit clerk’s office. There will also be expanded office and courtroom space. The AOC has budgeted $980,000 for acquisition of property. The project has a budget of $18 million.

Scott to hold first reading on PDR ordinance (http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/358068.html)
By Jillian Ogawa, Herald-Leader, March 26, 2008

GEORGETOWN --
Scott County may soon be the second in the state to adopt a volunteer purchase of development rights ordinance.

PDR programs pay owners for the development rights to land, thus protecting it from development.

The Scott Fiscal Court will have a first reading on the PDR ordinance at 7 p.m. Thursday at the old courthouse, 101 North Main Street.

In Lexington, the Urban County Government adopted its PDR ordinance in 2000.

A committee created after the comprehensive plan was updated in 2006 has worked on Scott's ordinance since March 2007.

"We probably saved a year in time taking the Fayette County ordinance and adapting it to our situation in our county," said John Lacy, a Georgetown-Scott County Planning and Zoning commissioner. He said the goal is to start offering the ordinance in March 2009.

Any farm of 10 acres or more with active agricultural production would be eligible to apply for the program.

Farms with high-quality soil, such as those in southern Scott County, would be a higher priority for preservation. Much of the southern part of the county is being developed because of its proximity to Georgetown and the interstates and because its excellent soil is easier to build upon, Lacy said.

Judge-Executive George Lusby said he plans to propose to budget up to $1 million in matching grants, with the rest of the funding coming from federal and state sources. Fayette County pledges $2 million annually to the ordinance.

"I wish we started years ago because we've lost some beautiful land that I think at that time people would be interested in preserving," Lusby said.

A draft of the PDR ordinance is available on http://www.gscplanning.com/ under the link of "current projects."

Groundbreaking ‘significant moment in Ashland’s future’ (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_087233115.html)
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, March 27, 2008

ASHLAND — A pouring rain didn’t put a damper on the excitement Thursday at the groundbreaking of Ashland’s newly named Veterans Riverfront Park.

With pomp and circumstance, the city welcomed Sen. Mitch McConnell and unfurled a banner, announcing the park’s official name, and turned over the ceremonial shovels of dirt at the site.

“Truly this is a significant movement in Ashland’s future,” said Ashland Mayor Steve Gilmore. “The impact of this riverfront development will be a major component of our downtown revitalization efforts. We’re making dramatic changes in dramatic ways.”

Gilmore, who said he has worked diligently on the project every day for the last five years, honored all the former commission members, state representatives and organizations who have worked to make the dream of the riverfront project a reality.

McConnell, who helped to secure Ashland’s $10.2 million federal earmark for the project, was the subject of many of those words of praise. Without the funds — currently the only money secured for the project — the Veterans Riverfront Park would still be a concept in city leaders’ minds.

McConnell, in turn, praised the city for its well-developed comprehensive plan and diligent efforts in pursuing funding for the park. Both, he said, were contributing factors in deciding to help secure the earmark in the 2005 Highway Reauthorization Bill.

“It’s pretty exciting,” he said of the project.

McConnell said numerous cities along the Ohio River in Kentucky also have riverfront projects in the works, many of which were also the beneficiaries of similar earmarks.

“A number of our river cities are beginning to discover why they are there in the first place and develop them (the riverfronts) into places for entertainment and recreation,” he said.

Phase one of Ashland’s project will certainly serve both purposes. A river walk — that will also serve as a stage and boat dock, along with a large park area — will be constructed as part of the initial development. Officials say they have designed phase one so the park will be usable to residents even if subsequent phases take years to come to fruition.

The park itself, Gilmore said, was named the Veterans Riverfront Park to serve as a monument to those individuals — past, present and future — whose service is the reason residents have the freedom to enjoy it. No monument honoring veterans is currently included in the park’s design plan, but Gilmore said a sculpture is being considered along with military artifacts.

Actual construction on the park will not begin until after Summer Motion concludes in early July. Although Ashland finally received its long-awaited permit this week from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — required to reclaim approximately 110 feet of land into the river — the plans must still receive a final stamp of approval from state transportation officials before work can begin.

The Transportation Cabinet has indicated it will take 10 to 12 weeks to review the engineering plans and then, if no changes are needed, the city can open the project for bids. Construction is expected to take approximately 18 months, Gilmore said.

Once completed, Gilmore said he envisions the park will serve as the Port of Ashland. Numerous riverboat companies, including those of the Delta Queen and Cincinnati Belle, have already expressed interest in docking here, he said.

Union wants to buy old hospital (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_086102208.html)
College’s plan for medical program could produce 300 Knox County jobs
By Sean Bailey, Times Tribune, March 26, 2008

Union College is looking to purchase the old hospital in Barbourville, the school’s president, Edward D. de Rosset announced to the Knox County Fiscal Court at the court’s March meeting Tuesday.

During the citizen’s comments portion of the meeting, de Rosset presented the court with a proposed lease purchase agreement. De Rosset said the school hopes to use the hospital for an allied health program and is asking to purchase the hospital for $150,000.

De Rosset called a possible partnership between the county and Union College a historic opportunity for the community.

According to de Rosset, students who graduate from the new allied health program could potentially enter job fields that have 100 percent placement rates. De Rosset said many federal agencies consider a student who graduates as a created job. Under these guidelines de Rosset said the program could create 300 jobs for Knox County.

De Rosset added that it is Union College’s intent to hire and use as many local contractors as possible for the project. De Rosset said the college hopes to stop people “from simply driving through Barbourville, and Knox County when it comes to their education.”

Court magistrate Doyle Gibson expressed his interest in the proposal, saying the hospital renovation would be beneficial for both the county and the school.

Gibson said he has recently received complaints about the security of the unused hospital from residents, and he wondered if the college was going to be willing to provide security while it was being renovated. De Rosset said he would bring that point to the school, but he was certain that during construction the hospital will be surrounded with a fence, and additional security lights in the area would be something to look into.

Knox County Fiscal Judge J.M. Hall told de Rosset that he and the magistrates would look over the documents presented, and the court would try to respond to Union College’s offer in two or three weeks.

Site selected for Whitley judicial center (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_087104014.html)
By Sean Bailey, Times Tribune, March 27, 2008

Pending approval by the Whitley County Fiscal Court and the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), the new Whitley County Judicial Center has a new home.

Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. said that the county will purchase the Williamsburg City Hall and surrounding city buildings for 15-20 percent above the AOC budgeted $980,000. White said there was contingency money from the onset of the project that will be used.

“We’re (the county) is buying the site in the center of town, and that is the goal of most of these projects,” White said, “I think most of the board is willing to give some, to acquire that site in the very center of the town.”

White said a budget variance from the AOC is currently being sought.

“[The judicial] center is a project that will affect this town for a long time. The way the funding is laid out, it’s of little or no cost to the county in construction and in maintenance,” White said.

According to White, the new judicial center will “basically include everything that is upstairs in the current court house” plus a few new additions.

“The new [judicial center plans] would leave room for an expansion into a family court and would have more than one of each of the court rooms. The center will also house things like libraries and judges’ offices and other support facilities,” White said.

In total the new judicial center will be 57,300 square feet and according to plans, the building will be three stories tall.

White feels that everyone is pretty excited about it and is personally excited about how the center is going to look.

“When you come across the bridge, that’s what you see instead of that old bank, that will be a large improvement,” White said.

Meanwhile, Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison is in talks with several property owners around town, for relocation of city buildings that will be torn down for the judicial center project.

Possible sites include Gilbert Tire of which property owner Howard Jackson and the city are in talks about using the land for a new fire hall. All the talks and offers are pending approval from Frankfort.

In the meantime Harrison and his wife are working on possible plans for the new city hall building. He said he then brought the plans around to the various offices at city hall and asked for input on the design.

“It’s kind of like being a kid on Christmas Eve, you know you are going to get presents, but you really want to see what they look like,” Harrison said.

Russell Theatre restoration back in gear (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/03/28/local_news/1459russell.txt)
By Barbara Goldman, Ledger Independent, March 27, 2008

The Russell Theatre Corporation is moving forward with restoration work on the interior lobby of the building after receiving $250,000 in funding from the commonwealth.

"We sent out some information to the legislators, letting them know that the theater was there last year," said Luanne Mattingly of the RTC.

Mattingly said Sen. Charlie Borders and Rep. Mike Denham were instrumental in making sure the money was secured for the project, despite severe budgets cuts in Frankfort.

In addition to the restoration project, Russell Theatre Events Chairperson Jinny Hurdle announced another project for the theater entitled "Interviews at the Russell." The committee is interested in collecting as much information as possible pertaining to the theater by filming and interviewing all patrons, workers and community members who have memories of the Russell.

Mattingly said the committee is looking for all sorts of information from ticket prices, food items on sale, architecture icons in the theater, workers, shifts, colors, carpet, movies shown and crowd sizes.

The interviews and filming will take place Saturday, April 12 from 1-4 p.m. and will be hosted by Robert Roe. The film will be used for archival purposes.

According to Tom Coe, board member and head of the building committee, the advertisement for bids for restoration work was placed in The Ledger Independent on March 14, and a pre-bid conference will be held at the theater on Thursday, March 27 at 2 p.m.

CMW Architecture of Lexington and architect Larry Gerson will be at the theater for the conference to answer questions from potential bidders about the project and its specifications. Coe said contractor bids will be opened at the Chamber of Commerce conference room on April 8 at 2 p.m.

The project will include the restoration of the interior lobby of the theater. Previous restoration work has required taking care of problems such as leaks and asbestos. Mattingly said RTC committee members decided to move forward with the restoration of the interior lobby so that visitors could have a visual of some of the work being done to restore the theater.

New projects slated for the building will include the construction of public restrooms, gift sales area, storage, enclosures of existing exit stairs at the first level and mechanical and electrical work at the second floor mezzanine. Restoration work is also required in the first floor lobby, corridor and ticket booth area and will include patch and repair of plaster walls, ceilings, wood trims and ceramic tile on the exterior ticket booth. New finishes will include carpet, ceramic tile, vinyl base flooring, wood vinyl and ceramic tile bases and trims. Repairs to the theater's ceilings will include plaster repairs, gypsum board and acoustic ceiling.

Mattingly said the new carpet in the lobby area has been matched to the original carpet found upstairs and the original jewel toned colors used in the theater's decor will also be restored.

In addition to the restorations, a semi-circle display case will showcase Rosemary Clooney's original dress from "The Stars are Singing" which made its world premiere at the Russell in 1953.

Although the Russell is gutted, stripped and silent, it still exhibits the details that made it a visually dynamic showplace. The interior lobby restoration is one of the vital phases of the project which will exhibit the revitalized past and a historical future.

The building was established in 1929, when Col. J.B. Russell decided Maysville needed a third movie theater. The owner as well as the architects were either oblivious or extremely aware of the varied structural styles throughout the street where the Russell is located. Placed in the midst of a Greek Revival styled courthouse, a Masonic temple with gargoyles and stained glass windows, Germanic brick homes, and a fanciful Romanesque house with seashell bedecked turret directly across the street, Russell opted for a Spanish Colonial Revival theme. This design was common in California or the Southwest, but even now, 79 years later it remains a rare treasure for Maysville.

The theater was abandoned as a movie house in the 1980s and after a few years of housing other businesses, it fell into disrepair until a group of concerned citizens arranged to buy the building in the mid 1990s and began efforts to have it restored.

For more information go to http://www.russelltheatre.org

Going as planned? There should have been property acquisitions at this stage -- if it was going as planned -- yet, there have been none.

Wyldwood project going as planned (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/03/31/local_news/1446wyldwood.txt)
By Owen McNeill, Ledger Independent, April 1, 2008

The Wyldwood Kentucky development project is proceeding along as planned even though no local properties have been transferred into the LLC's name and no new money has changed hands, officials with the project said Monday.

According to Wyldwood Kentucky, LLC spokesperson Ed D'Angelo, lending delays continue for the $600 million development project.

D'Angelo is the chief negotiator for the funding of the Maysville development.

"We're still trucking along," D'Angelo said, "As soon as the financial markets settle down we will be able to progress in these closings. Right now, it's a question of exactly what the project will cost and what return lenders will receive. That's a hard number to pin down right now with the markets bouncing around like they are. Fortunately, we have a project that the financial markets really like. It's a difficult time right now in terms of funding concerns for these larger development projects and we feel fortunate that we have such an extraordinary project. Kentucky is such a beautiful state, probably one of the best kept secrets in this country, this project will really give it a chance to show off. If we didn't have one of the better investment projects going, we would be worried, but we do and we're not."

The proposed properties include more than 2,000 acres for a hunting preserve with lodge and cabins along Clarks Run Road, a 76-acre marina and RV park on the Ohio River, nearly 2,700 acres for a Hilltop Village property with a host of features located off Stonelick Road and Kentucky 9, and the long-closed White Manor Hotel in downtown, which will be restored to as close to its original condition as possible, according to developers.

In a release dated Feb. 26, developers gave their explanation for the delays.

"Although the Wyldwood development group had planned to close by the end of January, a series of events, including the sub-prime market being worse than originally predicted, and the series of drops in the Federal Reserve interest rate ... all have significantly added to the inherent project funding delays. The pricing of the Wyldwood development funding is tied to an adjustable rate mortgage note and the lenders decided to reconsider the loan terms in the face of this dramatic reduction in its anticipated return," the release noted.

"People need to understand the financial climate we are in and how complex this project is. The lending delays are strictly due to the market being so unsettled. Pricing has been a problem everywhere. From a Maysville perspective, everyone's been terrific. They are aware and financially astute people and they are also realists. It's been a pleasure to deal with people like that." D'Angelo said Monday.

Tom Van Galder, project leader for the land acquisition said he understands the concerns.

"I realize that everyone is somewhat concerned as to what is going on. I would say that everything is proceeding along as quickly as can be expected, but we don't want to announce any specific closing dates as of yet."

As spring approaches, Van Galder said he knows the issue of crops may come to the forefront.

"One question concerning some farmers and whether or not to plant crops can easily be answered. Anyone concerned with a question as to whether they should plant a crop or not should go on and do so," he said. "When we close, we certainly are going to give everyone at least until the end of the year to vacate the properties. That should not be a problem. The only property we may break ground on prior to that would be the main grounds, those that encompass Duke Ford's lot. I hope that puts some minds at ease."

Bill Kachler, owner of Kachler's Real Estate in May's Lick, is handling all the transactions for property closing from a local standpoint.

"I know people are asking about the project and I don't mind that," Kachler said. "I don't mind clients calling my office. As a matter of fact, if someone has a question, I would encourage them to call. People want to know. My viewpoint on it is that these people wouldn't keep putting in all the effort they have if the project was not going to go through. I've been standing at the plate for a while now and when they pitch the ball, it's either going to be a home run or a strike. That's all I can say. I know that when I get the call that closings are ready, I will call each and every one of the contract holders and let them know. I'll either tell them to get ready or whatever it is I need to tell them. I still feel confident in the project because they have given me no reason to think otherwise."

Duke Ford owns one of the major portions of property in the eastern portion of Mason County that will encompass the Wyldwood Development.

"I'm kind of just waiting like everyone else. I'm not trying to give it any more thought than I absolutely have to. I receive the occasional e-mail telling me what's going on with some details but I don't spend every waking moment on it," Ford said Monday.

"I still feel confident in the project. I mean, they have certainly had every opportunity to walk away from Maysville as a development site. They have had numerous opportunities to wash their hands of it. They have not done so. I figure someone would let me know if they were not going to follow through and that the project had fallen through. I think with all the delays that it probably would have been easier to call it off. The idea that they keep working harder and harder no matter what the obstacle somewhat gives me confidence in the project. I know my business out here at the ATV park is still severely down. I wish they would call tomorrow," Ford said.

No one associated with the Wyldwood Development would go on record naming a date for property closings.

Proposed development near Perryville battlefield draws strong opposition (http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/363526.html)
By Greg Kocher, Herald-Leader, April 1, 2008

PERRYVILLE --
Nearly 146 years after Confederate and Union troops clashed here in Kentucky's largest Civil War battle, the North and South can agree on something.

Re-enactors from both sides and preservationists are opposed to the possibility that single-family homes, an assisted-living center and highway businesses might be put on land near Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site.

Their fear: If a subdivision is allowed on this land, it will encourage more development on the battlefield's doorstep, and obliterate ground considered hallowed.

"If we let this pass now you're going to see increasing encroachment on that area," said Sherry Robinson of Springfield, a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, a group concerned about historic preservation.

Few battlefields are as untouched as Perryville, said Robert Preston, a Union re-enactor in Nicholasville.

"It is in the same pristine, farmland condition as it was in 1862," Preston said.

Answering an Internet "call to arms," Civil War buffs and re-enactors from all over the country have deluged Perryville City Hall with telephone calls expressing their opposition. As of Tuesday afternoon, city officials had received 150 phone calls.

They're calling because on Thursday night the city council is scheduled to discuss the possible rezoning of 34 acres on U.S. 150 just west of Perryville, a small city of about 800 people.

The attention given to the proposed rezoning has surprised Marion "Pete" Coyle Jr., the landowner who wants to develop a portion of his farm.

"I'm appalled, really," Coyle said. "Without some area for development, the city of Perryville is going to dry up and blow away."

Coyle is a member of the city-county planning commission, but recused himself in March when the commission voted 5-4 to recommend the rezoning to the city council.

Coyle said he has supported historic preservation in and around the battlefield. He notes that he allowed his land to be used for parking during the 2002 and 2006 national re-enactments that drew thousands of people to Perryville.

If the rezoning is not approved, it will put "a noose around the city of Perryville," Coyle said. "You either have some room for development that increases your tax base, or you increase taxes, one or the other."

Coyle's land is about 2 miles from the battlefield museum, but it is less than half a mile from the southern edge of the state-owned park.

Some 7,500 were killed or wounded in the October 1862 battle. It was a tactical Confederate victory, but Kentucky remained in Union hands for the rest of the war.

Kenneth Noe, an Auburn University professor who wrote a book about the Battle of Perryville, said he understands why some in Perryville seek development.

"The economy in Perryville does not seem to be particularly strong," Noe said. "But I think there is a reality to that old clichŽ of cutting off your nose to spite your face. If you start to make Perryville look like every other battlefield town, fewer people are going to come and fewer people are going to bring their money."

The rezoning was thrust into a brighter spotlight last month when the Civil War Preservation Trust, a non-profit group in Washington, D.C., put Perryville on its Top 10 list of endangered battlefields, largely because of the proposed rezoning.

The trust originally concentrated on preserving battlefields near metropolitan areas, but over time more rural battlefields such as Perryville are facing possible development, said spokeswoman Mary Kiok.

"We really don't like to say development is bad, because it's not. It's necessary and it's a fact of life," Kiok said. "We just like to encourage people to go in with their eyes wide open."

Of the state park's 669 acres, 385 were acquired with funding from the trust. Kiok said the trust has not approached Coyle about buying his property.

"It's not something that had ever come up on our radar," she said.

Troops did not fight on the property up for rezoning. However, Old Mackville Road, used by both Confederate and Union troops as they went to and from the battlefield, crosses through the property.

Last fall Coyle was in preliminary talks with the state Parks Department, which wanted to purchase an easement for the old road and turn it into a walking trail. But those talks stalled in late January when Gov. Steve Beshear shifted $29 million in bond money to the Kentucky Horse Park for preparations for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

In its vote to recommend the rezoning to city council, the planning commission added a condition that the Mackville Road corridor is to be protected and preserved. The city of Perryville and/or the Perryville Battlefield Commission would be responsible for enforcement of that condition.

In the meantime, Perryville Mayor Anne Sleet is not sure whether the city council will vote Thursday on the rezoning matter. The planning commission recommended rezoning on March 5, and the council has 90 days after that to make a decision. So the council has time to consider the matter for a vote at a later date.

One thing Mayor Sleet does know: If the number of phone calls to City Hall is any indication, "I expect a lot of people here."

Fleming officials close to decision regarding justice center (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/04/03/local_news/1441justicecenter.txt)
By Marla Toncray, Ledger Independent, April 3, 2008

FLEMINGSBURG -- After months of lengthy meetings, listening to public concerns and reviews of property appraisals for a new justice center site in Fleming County, it appears a downtown location for the building may be within reach.

The Fleming County Project Development Board met Tuesday night in executive session for one and a half hours before returning to open session, only to announce a special meeting would be held April 15 at 5 p.m. for further discussion on a proposed site which includes the current location of Community Trust Bank at Main Cross and West Water streets.

"Hopefully, we're going to get this thing wrapped up in the next 60 days," said PDB Chairperson and County Judge-Executive Larry Foxworthy to the crowd gathered for the meeting.

The properties now under consideration for the justice center include all Community Trust Bank property bound to the west of Main Cross Street and north of West Water Street. The property was officially thrown into the pool of properties being considered for the center during a meeting on March 18.

In addition to the CTB property, the properties of Robert Reeder, MacDonald, Walton, and Razor law firm and the area known as Fountain Street (Alley) along Main Cross Street are part of the proposed site for the two-story building.

The CTB property known as the Dudley House will not be subject to demolition or alteration.

The new center, which is funded by the Administrative Offices of the Courts and is under AOC direction, has been allocated a construction budget of $11,536,000 and requires a minimum of 2 acres of land.

During a February meeting, board members voted to give serious consideration to properties outside the downtown business district, after a group of downtown sites assembled for the project were eliminated because costs associated with the purchase and demolition of the properties exceeded the allocated budget by 50 percent.

"We have appraisals and offers on the other properties, but right now we're working on this downtown property," Foxworthy said Tuesday, referring to the Cheap property on Kentucky 11 and a 1.97 acre parcel offered by Larry Breeze on the Kentucky 11/32 Bypass.

A motion by Circuit Court Judge Stockton B. Wood to hold the April 15 meeting to "proceed with the downtown site purchase" was approved by the board, but Foxworthy cautioned those present the purchase is contingent upon the building's design, cost and other considerations such as demolition, debris removal and site preparation costs.

The architectural firm of Brandstetter Carroll has been contracted to design the building, which has provided renderings of the proposed justice center in the location at other meetings. Michael Carroll informed board members a public hearing will be held if the site is approved for purchase to make sure the floodplain elevation is in compliance with the Kentucky Division of Water and FEMA flood line guidelines.

Carroll said the survey shouldn't impact the progress of the project, if the downtown sites are purchased.

The next Project Development Board meeting will be held Tuesday, April 15 at 5 p.m. at the main courthouse, second floor courtroom.

Site selected for justice center, construction to take two years (http://www.corbinnewsjournal.com/index.php?fn=stories&front=Array&detail=1206554542)
By Mark White, Corbin News Journal, March 26, 2008

With site selection finalized for the new $18.9 million Whitley County Justice Center, county officials say it will probably be another two and one-half years before the new facility opens.

Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. said officials hope to break ground by the end of summer, and that construction is expected to take about two years.

Following months of deliberations, the Whitley County Project Development Board, which is the group overseeing the design and construction of the justice center, voted March 19 to purchase Williamsburg City Hall and land adjacent to it for the building.

The board also agreed to purchase the Williamsburg Fire Department, Williamsburg Maintenance Garage, the old Whitley County Jail, Ron Reynolds law office and parking lot, and the old bank drive-thru near Main Street that is owned by Mike and Karen Smith.

Reynolds described the decision to locate the justice center on the city hall block as bitter-sweet.

"I'm happy that the judicial center is coming, but I am also sad because I have been in that building for 20 years, and I know city hall has been there for many, many years," Reynolds noted.

"We are happy and we are sad at the same time, but it is the best thing for Williamsburg. I think that is where the judicial center needs to be placed."

Reynolds admits that he isn't really satisfied with the figures the government used when deciding on the purchase price of the properties, but said he feels the city and property owners will make that up once downtown Williamsburg is revitalized.

Contingency funds

White declined to disclose the total purchase price, but did say it was about 20 percent over the $980,000 allocated for land acquisition.

Because the appraisals are over the budgeted amount, the board will have to get approval from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) in order to dip into contingency funds set aside in the project's $18.9 million budget.

White said he hates to try and speak for others, but he believes that several board members felt getting the best site was worth going slightly over budget.

Assuming AOC signs off on using contingency funds for property acquisition, White said the Project Development Board's next step would be setting up interim financing in order to purchase the property in question.

The sooner this is done, the sooner pre-construction work, such as demolition on existing facilities can begin.

Officials said they haven't set a date yet for when city officials and others need to vacate the existing buildings.

Design work left

Another major step left in the process is getting the building actually designed by an architect.

White said that there has only been so much the architect could do so far without knowing the exact location for the center.

White said the building tentatively is slated to be a three-story structure with the front facing toward Main Street with possibly 200 parking spaces in the rear towards the old jail property.

"It should be one of the first things you see when you come across the river bridge into Williamsburg. I think this will be a real addition to downtown Williamsburg," White said.

White said there should be a similar amount of traffic coming to Williamsburg when the new center is opened, but that there will be significantly more parking spaces downtown because of it.

The new justice center will be about 58,000 square feet, which is nearly two and a half times larger than the existing courthouse, and will house district court, circuit court, the circuit clerk's office and other officials.

Options secured

So far, the board has secured signed options from the property owners to sell the property for the designated amount of money.

Technically, the county hasn't signed any papers yet obligating it to purchase the land, which would be done by the fiscal court.

White said the fiscal court would also have to sign off on the project since the county will own the new building. AOC will rent the building from the fiscal court with the rent payments being used to pay off the project.

AOC also pays a monthly fee to cover maintenance on the building.

AOC currently pays the county $119,200 annually in rent on the court facilities in the second floor of the courthouse, according to the county's 2007-2008 budget.

Hurrying up

White said that with the state budget problems and talk of cutting out building projects for justice centers, officials wanted to expedite the process and get ground broken as soon as possible.

"We have been meeting every week for the past three weeks, and that was part of that," White said. "We want to show the area wants and the area needs it, which it desperately does. We want to get it going as fast as we can."

Montgomery breaks ground for Skylar's Landing in Harrodsburg (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=39807&format=html)
By Jesse Osbourne, Advocate-Messenger [Danville], April 3, 2008
See also: http://www.eddiemontgomerysteakhouse.com

HARRODSBURG - Cars filed into the empty lot like they were going to a field party.

Police officers directed traffic from the bypass while attendants with yellow vests parked the onslaught of cars as diligently as they could in a field with no marked spots.

"Got room for some more down there?" one attendant hollered out to another.

"Yeah. We've got 90 acres to park them on," the attendant replied.

Well, maybe more like 40 acres.

Wednesday marked the groundbreaking for country star Eddie Montgomery's commercial development called Skylar's Landing. More specifically, the country music star, his family and business partners broke the soft pasture ground for a 16,000-square-foot steakhouse and entertainment center.

The log cabin-style restaurant will have enough room for 265 guests and will specialize in premium steaks and a family atmosphere. It will have a lodge theme complete with stone fireplaces, waterfalls and a stage to showcase musicians from around the country.

"Live music has kind of gone away, and I want to help bring it back. This has always been a dream of mine," Montgomery said in a release.

Montgomery gathered with his family around a sign that announced that the steakhouse is coming soon and smiled, shovel in hand, for the slew of press, friends, family and officials from the city of Harrodsburg and Mercer County.

"I'll tell you, it'll be the finest food around anywhere, and it's something that I want Harrodsburg and Mercer County definitely to be proud of, I promise you that right now," Montgomery said. "It's been a dream of mine for a long, long time to have one (restaurant) around here. I'm so excited I can't wait."

Restaurant seen as economic boost to Harrodsburg

Mayor Lonnie Campbell said the development will bring good economic change in the community. He speculated that Harrodsburg will soon be very busy and he expressed his gratitude to the people that gave Harrodsburg this commercial opportunity.

"Now we have our chance to shine," Campbell said.

Montgomery said talks are under way to bring some other businesses to the development.

"Ya'll will be very surprised at some of the big, big companies that want to be part of the area," Montgomery said.

Skylar's Landing eventually will feature retail shops and a hotel, much to the delight of Brenda Sexton, executive director of the Mercer County Chamber of Commerce.

"Oh my gosh, that's wonderful," Sexton said.

"The greatest part of it is that Eddie keeps giving back," Sexton said. "He just keeps giving back."

Montgomery deflected the compliment and said, "I can tell you I can never give back what the community around here has given me. And I can promise you that right now."

The Montgomerys said recommendations for the menu and information on where to send resumes can be found on the Web site.

Montgomery is partnering with Tommy and Gwen Mitchell of Rocky Top Log Furniture and Railing in Garrard County on the development.

Weather permitting, the steakhouse could be complete in October.

To wrap up the event, Montgomery hopped on a bulldozer with his granddaughter, Skylar Webb, for whom the development is named, and moved the first piece of ground.

:banana::banana::banana::banana:

Perryville rejects subdivision zoning near battlefield (http://www.kentucky.com/779/story/365954.html)
By Greg Kocher, Herald-Leader, April 3, 2008

PERRYVILLE — By a 4-1 vote Thursday night, the Perryville City Council rejected a proposed subdivision that would have been near Kentucky’s largest Civil War battlefield. “I’m relieved,” said Sherry Robinson, a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, who had spoken against the proposal. “Right now, we’re ecstatic.”

Marion “Pete” Coyle Jr., the landowner who had wanted to develop a portion of his farm on U.S. 150 just west of downtown Perryville, had little comment after the vote.

“I’m upset right now,” Coyle said as he left City Hall.

Had the council approved the rezoning, Coyle could have put 53 single-family houses, an assisted living center and two commercial highway businesses on 34 acres.

But the proposal came under fire from Civil War re-enactors and preservationists who feared the rezoning would only open more farmland around the battlefield to development. At last count, city hall had received 169 telephone calls, many from re-enactors around the country who opposed the development. Re-enactors say Perryville remains relatively unspoiled and appears much as it would have to its original combatants.

“We have to continue to protect this land, because if we don’t there’s a strong possibilty it may rear its head again,” said Union re-enactor Chad Greene of Perryville.

The proposed rezoning prompted the Civil War Preservation Trust, a non-profit group in Washington D.C., to put Perryville on its Top 10 list of endangered battlefields last month.

Some 7,500 were killed or wounded in the October 1862 Battle of Perryville. It was a tactical Confederate victory, but Kentucky remained in Union hands for the rest of the war. Perryville council member Sheila Cox recalled those soldiers while reading a written statement about her support for Coyle’s proposal.

“I would hope to think that the soldiers that lost their lives for rights and freedom did not intend for us not to grow and make progress,” Cox said.

She added: “The battlefield and the city of Perryville both need to understand that each other have got to give and take in order to survive. The Coyle proposal has taken great pains in seeing that the plans include the best interests of both parties.”

But council member Georgeanne Edwards said Coyle had failed to demonstrate a need for the rezoning. And she said there was no evidence of any major economic, social or physical changes to the area that might warrant a zone change.

“Also, the development is not compatible with the efforts to preserve the Perryville battlefield, and the historically significant land surrounding the battlefield,” Edwards said.

On the vote to reject the rezoning, council members Edwards, Bill Chance, Julie Clay and Dawn Hastings voted yes, and Cox voted no. Council member Phillip Crowe was absent. Mayor Anne Sleet was not permitted to vote because she is not a member of the legislative body.

Troops did not fight on the Coyle property. However, Old Mackville Road, used by both Confederate and Union soldiers as they went to and from the battlefield, crosses through the property.

Last fall Coyle had preliminary talks with the state Parks Department, which wanted to purchase an easement for the old road and turn it into a walking trail.

But those talks stalled when Gov. Steve Beshear shifted $29 million in bond money to the Kentucky Horse Park for preparations for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Council member Clay said she was encouraged that Coyle wanted to preserve the Old Mackville Road corridor.

“I think that’s something we should look into,” Clay said. “We do receive a lot of visitors to the battlefield. And I think walking the land that the soldiers walked would be an interesting and agreeable thing to promote.”

City to furrther enhance Corbin Creekwalk (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_094095309.html)
By Brad Hicks, Times Tribune, April 3, 2008

The Engineer Street Bridge may soon have company along the Corbin Creekwalk.

In February, the city of Corbin applied for a Transportation Enhancement Grant through the Kentucky Department of Transportation in hopes of securing funds to make the walk even more pleasant.

“We’ve got a nice, peaceful spot for people to enjoy,” said Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney. “We’d like to make it look nice.”

McBurney said if the grant is approved, city officials plan to construct two shelter houses, one by the swimming pool and the other on the site that was previously Bill Frederick’s Auto Dealership. A gazebo would also be built on the hill near the intersection of Laurel Avenue and US 25.

Also, the city is looking to acquire approval from the Corps of Engineers for an easement to place picnic tables just past the bridge on the Engineer Street side.

McBurney is confident that if the proposed enhancements come to fruition they will make the Creekwalk experience more appealing for people taking the stroll.

“They’ll enjoy it,” he said. “They can come over here to picnic and walk. The shelter houses will also be nice.”

The Engineer Street bridge was not left out of planning. McBurney said he met with representatives from the Master Gardener’s Association about two weeks ago to discuss having flowers planted at both ends of the bridge. Also, flowers would hang in baskets along the bridge rails.

“That’s going to be a real asset,” McBurney said.

Since the bridge reopened in January for public foot traffic, McBurney said he has seen an increase in the number of those taking the walk along side Lynn Camp Creek.

“Everyone seems to enjoy it,” he said. “We see more and more people out here everyday. We’ve got a good project and we’re proud of it.”

Eventually, city officials want to extend the sidewalk across to the other side of the bridge to run along Engineer Street.

“The more sidewalks we put in, the more people we see walking,” McBurney said.

A decision on the grant is expected by June. Tim Schwendeman, Assistant Director of Economic Development for the Cumberland Valley Area Development District said the grant would allot $63,345 in federal funding for the enhancement project, with the city of Corbin matching $12,669. Because the funds being sought are federal, the application must be thoroughly reviewed.

“In Kentucky, with every application that is seeking federal funds, the application has to go through the Kentucky State Clearing Process,” Schwendeman said.

This “clearing process” means the grant application is reviewed by 15 different agencies to make sure that the projects described do not conflict with other projects and everything is in compliance with regional comprehensive plans. The CVADD is one such agency that reviews the applications.

“I’m cautiously optimistic,” McBurney said of the prospect of the grant’s approval.

McBurney feels the proposed additions to the Creekwalk would only add to the preexisting attraction.

“This is such a focal part of our town, and we’ve got it naturally,” McBurney said. “Why not enhance it?”

Back in Main Street (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_098085156.html)
By Sean Bailey, Times Tribune, April 7, 2008

The Williamsburg Main Street Program was recently accredited by the 2008 National Main Street Program, opening the way for grants for city improvements and national visibility.

The National Main Street Program, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, takes an approach to downtown revitalization by combining historical preservation with economic development.

By being part of the program, Williamsburg will also be added to the list of National Main Street attractions, raising national visibility.

Williamsburg was at one point part of the program, but hasn’t been in the past few years thanks to the lack of a coordinator, current Williamsburg Main Street Manager Nannie Hayes said.

Hayes, who is also a high school teacher, began her job as Main Street manager part-time last May. From May until December she worked on the application for the city to become part of the national program.

“We got it done by December,” Hayes said. “Starting out, I didn’t realize how in-depth the application (for the Main Street Program) was, but after some time and work we got it done.”

Hayes says because the city is now part of the national group, Williamsburg will be able to apply for grants, which mostly help with the rehabilitation of buildings. The work may include building facade improvements, historic street lighting and other “street level” improvements.

“We have some new street lights picked out for downtown, and we should be getting them in the next few months,” Hayes said.

The city will be hosting several street dances this summer in connection to the Main Street program and the tourism board. Hayes says she is particularly excited for the first band, Familiar Faces, which will be playing the “Old Fashioned Block Party” on June 13.

“Familiar Faces is a group from Nashville, kind of in a Motown style. Anyone old enough to remember dancing at sock hops will love this band,” Hayes said.

Hayes said everyone involved with last year’s street dances was pleased with the more than 200 people who turned out for each event.

“We’re all excited for this summer. The mayor and city council, well, you couldn’t find a better group of people to work with,” Hayes said of the event’s organization.

This summer, Williamsburg will also be hosting family movie nights, but the place and dates have not yet been announced.

Old Lynn Camp school to be sold later this month (http://www.corbinnewsjournal.com/index.php?fn=stories&front=Array&detail=1207758488)
By Chris Parsons, Corbin News Journal, April 9, 2008

If you happen to be in the market for a historic high school building, then you need to mark April 25 on your calendar.

That's the day the old Lynn Camp High School building will go on the auction block and a piece of history will change hands.

The building, which was erected in the 1920's and added on to in 1957 and again in the 1970's, was last used during the 2007-08 school year when it housed the Lynn Camp Alternative School and the Knox County Adult Learning Center.

Since then, the school has remained vacant, all the while suffering from vandalism ranging from broken windows on the outside to random holes in walls on the interior.

According to David Cole, Knox County's Public Relations manager, those are two of the main reasons the school is being offered on the auction block.

"The property is just sitting there deteriorating and it is being vandalized," Cole said. "We really just no longer need the building, especially since the alternative school and the learning center have been moved."

Though they are selling the building and property it sits on, Cole said the Board of Education would be keeping the school's old football field as it is used on a regular basis.

"The football field is still used as a practice field for Lynn Camp's high school and middle school teams," Cole said. "There is also a good chance it can be used for some of the youth league teams like it was last season."

Though he is unsure of what the school appraised for, Cole said he believes there has been some interest shown in the building and that it may continue as the auction date draws closer.

"I am really unsure of what it appraises for because it wasn't in the board's meeting minutes," Cole said. "I do know there has been some interest shown in the school, so hopefully we will be able to sell it."

When the school was first built, it consisted of just five rooms, with each room being warmed by coal burning stoves, leaving students with the duty of bringing in coal all day long.

The water supply was a hand pump near the back door and students and faculty alike drank from paper cups, which were usually made of notebook paper.

As far as restrooms went, there were wooden outhouses built on the hill that sits between the current building and Lynn Camp School Rd. The five rooms housed all grades until the school was expanded for the 1931-32 school year to take care of grades K-6. The expansion consisted of tin structures starting at each end of the building.

When it came to the name of the school, it wasn't known as Lynn Camp until 1935.

After being called #2 for years, pertaining to the two Knox County Schools (Knox County was #1), the name was changed to Lynn Camp by former history teacher C.A. Johnson.

Johnson named the school based on stories from pioneer times that linked the area with a settlement of John Lynn at the springs near Lynn Camp church. People passing through would stop at Lynn's Camp for food and shelter, which is said to have prompted the names Lynn Camp Church, Lynn Camp Creek and Lynn Camp School.

Centre to build new campus center (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=39957&format=html)
Advocate-Messenger, April 9, 2008

Centre College will break ground Friday for a new campus center that will replace Cowan Dining Commons.

The public groundbreaking ceremony is planned for 12:45 p.m. in front of Cowan.

The new campus center is part of a series of expansion and renovation projects that will take place over the next three years.

In addition to the construction of Pearl Hall, which is under way on Main Street, and the campus center, these include an expansion and renovation of the college's science facilities and a refurbishment of the Norton Center for the Arts.

The projects are part of the "Trustee Challenge" approved last April by the Board of Trustees.

The board agreed last spring to accept an extraordinary gift of $22.5 million from a small group of trustees that would provide a base to generate the $45 million that ultimately will be needed for the projects. All construction projects will be completed by 2010.

Pearl Hall, a residence hall, is scheduled to be finished in time for students to move into in August, with an official dedication ceremony to take place during homecoming in October 2009.

Pearl Hall is being built with a gift from Centre trustee Robert Brockman ('63.) The residence hall is named in memory of Brockman's mother and grandmother, who were both named Pearl.

Young Hall, which contains the college's science classrooms and laboratory facilities, will be expanded to accommodate state-of-the-art scientific teaching and research.

The Norton Center for the Arts will undergo a major renovation. An update of the building's HVAC system began in last fall, and new chillers for the air conditioning system will be up and running by the summer. Also, the windows in Grant Hall of the Norton Center will be replaced with new high-efficiency glass that should eliminate heating and cooling problems in the classrooms.

Gazebo scratched (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3611281)
By Paul Glasser, State Journal, April 10, 2008

Plans to create a garden and walking path on the northwest corner of the Capitol grounds have been scaled back because of budget constraints.

Approximately $100,000 of work will not be completed, including $80,000 for a shelter designed to house a Liberty Bell memorial.

Last summer, Jill Midkiff, spokeswoman for the Finance and Administration Cabinet, said plans were underway to install benches, plant trees and relocate memorial markers. Now, because of budget cutbacks, Midkiff said only the work in progress will be completed.

"Because of the limited funds, it was decided this was not an expense we could afford," she said. "That doesn't mean it won't be completed in the future."

Gov. Steve Beshear has said the state is facing a financial "crisis" and implemented a budget reduction order in December. The biennial budget adopted by the legislature also cut funding for a number of state agencies and programs.

Some landscape and gardening work will be completed and benches and a water fountain will also be installed for a total cost of $68,000. The garden will be located between State Street, Shelby Street and Capital Avenue.

"We want it to be pleasing and usable to visitors," Midkiff said.

Plans originally included relocating more than a dozen historical markers, such as the Oklahoma City bombing memorial and the Vietnam Peace Tree. Midkiff said some have been relocated but others might not be included if the cost is too high.

Other plans to build a gazebo-like structure that would have housed a Liberty Bell replica have also been temporarily halted. Reducing the scope of the project will save about $100,000.

Midkiff said the work may be resumed in the future if funds become available.

County unanimously passes PDR ordinance (http://www.georgetownnews.com/articles/2008/04/13/breaking_news/doc480147084b962695248415.txt)
By Jeff Kerr, Georgetown News-Graphic, April 13, 2008

Scott County became the second county in the state of Kentucky to enact a purchase of development rights program Friday when the fiscal court voted unanimously to pass the second reading of an ordinance to establish it.

The move comes after almost two years of work by a local committee formed to create the program.

“Now the work begins,” Judge-Executive George Lusby told John Lacy, chairman of the Scott County Conservation District, who was one of the driving forces behind the program.

Paducah could get luxury hotel (http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/375609.html)
WOULD BE AFFILIATED WITH HYATT OR HILTON
Paducah Sun, April 14, 2008

PADUCAH --
A Western Kentucky businessman and a Kansas hotel developer have partnered with the aim of building a luxury hotel in downtown Paducah.

Paducah businessman Ronnie James and developer Donald Culbertson, owner of the Sunway Hotel Group in Overland Park, Kan., said the hotel will be along the Tennessee River, less than three blocks from the performing arts center and downtown Paducah.

The hotel would have at least 150 rooms and be an affiliate of either the Hilton or Hyatt chains, James and Culbertson said. Construction could begin this summer and be completed next spring, in time for the 2009 American Quilter's Society Show and Contest, Culbertson said.

The estimated cost is $20 million to $25 million and financing has been approved, Culbertson said.

Both men said a major target for the hotel would be river industry customers. The river industry has grown in Paducah, with several companies building headquarters and major regional offices near the hotel site.

"Of course, we'll also draw from the tourist crowd," Culbertson said.

Culbertson's company operates hotels in several states and has experience with most major franchises, including Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn and Best Western.

Culberton scouted the Executive Inn in Paducah in 2006, with the idea of renovating it. However, he could not agree on a purchase price with former owner Yvonne Holsapple, who later sold it for $5.7 million to Bhupinder Singh, a businessman from California.

James is a Paducah native who owns several river-related industries and has made investments in downtown condominiums.

Woodford project to include winery (http://www.kentucky.com/779/story/376618.html)
HOMES, OFFICES ALSO PLANNED
By Greg Kocher, Herald-Leader, April 15, 2008

VERSAILLES --
A winery will be part of the mix of a new residential and commercial development in Midway.

The winery will be on the site of an existing barn at Midway Station, the site north of Interstate 64 where Lexington developer Dennis Anderson plans to put new houses, townhouses, offices, second-story apartments and restaurants.

"We're making space here where people can live, work and integrate all these uses together," said Dick Murphy, a Lexington lawyer who represents Anderson.

Anderson announced the development last summer, but the rezoning for those uses has been on hold since last fall as he finalized purchase contracts with the Woodford County Economic Development Authority, the current landowner. The property is now zoned for agricultural, commercial and industrial uses.

On Monday, the Technical Review Committee forwarded the rezoning proposal to the Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Planning and Zoning Commission.

The committee considers matters such as drainage, utility easements and roads. If it finds no serious problems, it forwards rezoning proposals to the planning commission for consideration.

A public hearing about the Midway Station rezoning is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 29 at Midway College.

Murphy did not identify the winery, but said it will be a new business and not part of an existing one in Central Kentucky.

Vineyards for the winery would be on greenspace throughout the property, said Tony Barrett of Barrett Partners Inc., a landscape architecture firm.

The latest development plan shows greenspace on the western edge along Ky. 341, on the southwestern border along Interstate 64, and on the eastern edge of the property.

Anderson also proposes 80 units of commercial/residential space; 29 units of office/residential space; 153 units of "attached residential" space such as townhouses; and 343 single-family houses.

The plan shows suggested acreage for a church in the center of the development, although Murphy said no church has expressed an interest in the site.

The plan also shows two community centers, one at the northern tip of a "central lawn" greenspace and another on the far eastern edge of the property near Interstate 64.

The commercial and office uses are on the western side of the property near Ky. 341.

Anderson, who did not attend Monday's meeting, is best known for Townley Centre near the intersection of Leestown Road and New Circle Road in Lexington.

Townley Centre has a Holiday Inn Express, Applebee's, Walgreen's, Fazoli's, Taco Bell, Community Trust Bank and several other restaurants and offices.

Potential site chosen for Fleming justice center (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/04/17/local_news/1398justicecenter.txt)
By Marla Toncray, Ledger Independent, April 16, 2008

FLEMINGSBURG -- During a special meeting Tuesday night, members of the Fleming County Justice Center Project Development Board agreed to pursue negotiations to acquire properties in downtown Flemingsburg for a new justice center.

The properties now under consideration for the justice center include all Community Trust Bank property bound to the west of Main Cross Street and north of West Water Street.

If negotiations are successful, the CTB property known as the Dudley House will also be purchased, but will not be subject to demolition or alteration, said PDB Chairman and Fleming County Judge-Executive Larry Foxworthy.

In addition to the CTB property, the properties of Robert Reeder, MacDonald, Walton, and Razor law firm and the area known as Fountain Street (Alley) along Main Cross Street are part of the proposed site for the two-story building.

After meeting in executive session for 45 minutes, board members adjourned to regular session to announce the next step will be to meet with the Fleming County Fiscal Court on Wednesday, April 23 to express its desire to secure the properties for the center.

The new center, which is funded by the Administrative Offices of the Courts and is under AOC direction, has been allocated a construction budget of $11,536,000 and requires a minimum of 2 acres of land.

During a February meeting, board members voted to give serious consideration to properties outside the downtown business district, after a group of downtown sites assembled for the project were eliminated because costs associated with the purchase and demolition of the properties exceeded the allocated budget by 50 percent.

However, it has been expressed throughout the site selection process that it is the intent of the AOC is to maintain the justice center in the downtown district of all Kentucky cities, but if after evaluation of all proposed sites a suitable location cannot be found, locating the new justice center outside of the downtown area will be considered.

Should negotiations of the downtown properties currently offered fail, the next step for the board will be to evaluate and appraise alternative sites offered for the justice center on Kentucky 11 including the Calvin Cheap estate and a 1.97 acre parcel on the Kentucky 11/32 bypass offered by Larry Breeze. The board will also consider any new downtown properties that may be offered for sale, which have not already been considered.

Bids received for Lancaster theater renovation (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=40124&format=html)
By Charlie Cox, Advocate-Messenger, April 16, 2008

LANCASTER - Three companies submitted bids Tuesday to renovate the historic Grand Theatre.

Sesabaugh Inc. bid $1,412,913; Hawkins Construction bid $2,600,000; and Galvin and Associates bid $1,800,600.

Lora Littleton and Carole Yocam of Cox-Allen and Associates of Louisville, the architecture firm designing the extensive renovations to the 11,000 square foot building erected in 1925, were on hand at Tuesday's Garrard County Fiscal Court meeting.

They said the next step is to interview the companies and check out references. Yocam seemed optimistic the process can be completed within 30 days. After a contract is awarded, the project likely will be completed in eight to 10 months.

Garrard County Judge-Executive John P. Wilson said that he is thrilled with the project.

"I expect it to help our downtown grow," he said.

Options weighed on 10th Str. reconstruction (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_109102041.html)
By Sean Bailey, Times Tribune, April 18, 2008

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet held a public information meeting for the proposed reconstruction of 10th Street in Williamsburg on Thursday.

Sandy Rudder, public information officer for the transportation cabinet said the proposal includes widening the road between KY 92 and the Second Street intersection, building a raised bridge over Brier Creek, and a safer intersection at Second Street. The reconstruction is projected to begin 2010.

Transportation Cabinet Branch Engineer Joey Mosley said there are two proposed options for the 10th and Second Street intersection. One is a traditional “signal” intersection — one that uses lights to control traffic. The other option would be a European-style roundabout.

“The roundabout could be slightly more expensive than the traditional intersection, but it would be more safe, and it would increase road capacity,” Mosley said.

Mosley added that roundabouts are relatively new to the area, but there would be town meetings and signage to clear up any confusion. Locally, the Knox County Courthouse is located in the middle of a roundabout.

The grade of the road would also be raised, which would fix the extremely sharp curve that now exists just before Brier Creek. Flooding problems associated with the creek would also be addressed by the reconstruction.

“The creek gets wild at times and floods in heavy rain. There will be a new raised bridge to alleviate the problem,” Mosley said.

Several homes along 10th Street will have to be demolished for the reconstruction. Terry Petry’s home is one of the properties that is in the proposed path of the new road.

“We’ve been told that we would be re-located to what they said would be a comparable lodging. It seems like we will be accommodated,” Terry Petrey said.

The accommodations won’t make the move completely easy, though. Terry’s son Andrew has only known one home his entire life.

“You know it’s the only house I’ve ever lived in, so it’s sad to see it go,” Andrew said.

Terry said the location of the house was always central to the family’s life. Her children would “run across the street for a pop” and do laundry at the family business. The children could also walk up the hill to school everyday. The location isn’t the only thing the family is going to miss.

“My dad also built the porch at our house, and he has since passed on. That’s one thing that’s going to be hard to see go,” Terry said.

Lena Petrey, helps run the family laundromat and predicts the construction is going to hurt business. Lena is also worried that once construction is done, barriers planned between the road and parking lot of her business may make parking difficult for customers.

“It’s not all negative though, I think if they go with the roundabout it will slow people down, which will help cut down on accidents. Overall I think that it’s a positive thing, there will just be a few set-backs,” Lena said.

The transportation cabinet will be taking public comments on the proposal for the next 15 days. Statements can be addressed to Quentin Smith at the Kentucky Department of Highways District 11 Office, 603 Railroad Avenue, Manchester, Ky. 40962

Interviews conducted to preserve the memory of the Russell Theater (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/04/22/local_news/1380theater.txt)
By Owen McNeill, Ledger Independent, April 22, 2008

A project is currently under way to record eye-witness accounts of Maysville's Russell Theater with the ambition to preserve the historical data for safekeeping.

The project began Saturday with many citizens taking the time to record their personal memories of the historic downtown site. On Monday, a few more interviews were conducted including recollections from Nick and Nina Clooney of their memories of the theater.

Luanne Mattingly, a board member with the Save the Russell Foundation said the project's purpose is to record as many memories as possible to save forever.

"You know, with people passing away, we've already lost so much of the history of this place it is astonishing," Mattingly said. "We want to know the story of the Russell to save for future generations to come. We especially wanted to record exactly what the interior was like with the ambition to restore it to original condition."

"Our initial grant of $250,000 will go to restoring the front entrance to the theater. We estimate a total refurbishing to be in the neighborhood of $3 million. It's such an historical structure, I feel we have no choice but to restore this building."

Mattingly said the public response has been wonderful with so many local citizens coming downtown to record their memories for the project.

Mattingly recalled one couple in particular.

"On Saturday, we had one couple come down and they actually met here in the theater," Mattingly said. "He was an usher and she worked behind the candy counter. They actually met here and their recollection of the interior was amazing. He even remembered who the manager was at the time. They've been married for 60 years now. That's what this project is about, permanently recording those memories."

Mattingly said the project has produced memories of Tom Mix riding a horse into the theater during the showing of old westerns and how employees would dress up in scary costumes to scare patrons during horror movies.

"J. Barbour Russell built this place with one quote saying what the Roxy is to New York, the Russell will be to Maysville, and he was right," Mattingly said. One of the highlights in interviews came on Monday afternoon with the entrance of Nick and Nina Clooney, parents of actor George Clooney. Nick Clooney's sister, singer and actress Rosemary Clooney held the world premiere of her movie, "The Stars are Singing," at the Russell Theatre in 1953.

Nick's most prominent memory of the Russell came from an incident when he was senior at St. Patrick High School.

"We were trying to think of a way to make some money for our senior trip. I came up with the idea of having a world premiere held at the Russell with all of our class. I remember it was 1951 and we did renditions of the Rat Pack and some musical numbers that were just horrible but in the end, we ended up making about $300 to go to Washington, D.C. That was the first world premier this place held, not Rosie's."

On a more serious note, Nick remembered as a child, what the make-believe world of the movies meant to America.

"When it comes to my favorite movies I ever watched in this place, "Blazing Saddles" certainly comes to mind. Really, it's not the particular movies that are now important. What's important now is what this place meant to people. I remember if we were good, the kids got to come down to the Russell on Saturdays, which was a double feature and a newsreel. On the way home we would re-enact what we just saw. If it was a comedy like Abbot and Costello, I would do most of it. If we had just seen a musical, Rosey would be up. That's what this place really meant. Movies in those days never showed reality. We didn't want reality back then. With the Great Depression and the war, we had enough reality. The movies provided us and the community a different world. That was the real value."

Nina Clooney shared her insight as the mother of actor George Clooney.

"You know, to this day it still takes your breath away a little to see your child appear 30 feet tall on screen," Nina Clooney said. "It just takes your breath away. I remember George's first film, "Dusk till Dawn." It was a slasher type movie but I remember that Nick and I took our first real breath after we saw him in that first scene. The movie wasn't really my cup of tea but you just want your children to succeed. You can almost hear yourself saying, if he keeps his head about him and makes the right moves, with a little luck our boy might make it. That's as close as I can come to describing seeing a family member on the stage. Of course Rosie led the way and broke the ice for everyone since her career. I mean she was with Bing Crosby."

With four more interviews scheduled for Monday, organizers of the Save the Russell Project hope the interviews have gone a long way in preserving the historic structure's history and meaning to downtown Maysville.

New life breathed into old Knox Hospital (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_114103039.html)
Deal between county and Union College a ‘win-win’
By Samantha Swindler, Times Tribune, April 23, 2008

The old Knox County Hospital building might have been close to flat-lining, but a partnership between the county and Union College is resuscitating the vacant building with a new medical career program.

During its Tuesday meeting, the Knox County Fiscal Court voted unanimously to authorize Judge-Executive J.M. Hall to sign a lease/purchase agreement with Union College for the old hospital building on High Street in Barbourville, which hasn’t been used in close to eight years.

“We’ve gotten a lot of feedback on this, and it’s all been positive,” Hall said.

Under the agreement, Union College will pay the county $75,000 up front, and will pay another $75,000 over monthly payments through Dec. 1, 2010, when the terms of the current county magistrates expire.

The deal is a “win-win” situation for the county and the school, Hall said. It will put to use an eye-sore next to the campus, create new jobs and give more opportunities to local students looking to get an education and stay close to home.

Union College President Ed de Rosset said in an interview Tuesday afternoon that the college hasn’t finalized plans for the building, but is excited about revitalizing the aging, 50,000-square-foot structure.

“All of us have watched what the final solutions are for old school buildings and old hospitals,” de Rosset said. “The final solution in this case is a happy one, in that we’re giving new life to an old building.

“That it was unanimous is the best possible send off,” he said of the court’s vote.

Though the college hasn’t officially committed to a nursing program, de Rosset said, “We’ve been encouraged from several sources to take a hard look at doing something in the area of health careers, and specifically nursing.”

De Rosset said the college administration has considered purchasing the building for years, but one concern has been the estimated several million dollars it would take to rehabilitate the structure. The hospital, though boarded up, has experienced some skylight leaks and interior water damage. Union College is still waiting to receive a final environmental report which would detail any other problems, such as needed asbestos abatement.

“Our hope certainly is to have a health career program of some kind in there,” de Rosset said. “And, in order to find the funds to bring that building back, certainly there are funds tied to health career education.”

De Rosset mentioned that Barbourville does not have an urgent care center, and that could be one possibility for part of the building.

Fiscal court members were also happy to hear that Union College was considering an annual scholarship to a Knox County student in honor of the county’s partnership with the school.

Official signing over of the hospital will take place during the Union College Board of Trustees luncheon at noon Friday.

The “earliest conceivable” date for starting a program in the old hospital would be in fall 2009, de Rosset said.

Decision on hospital land purchase close (http://www.msadvocate.com/StoryMain.aspx)
By Tom Marshall, Mt. Sterling Advocate, April 24, 2008

Officials at St. Joseph Mt. Sterling say they are nearing a decision on the purchase of land for a new hospital.

In a statement released Monday, St. Joseph officials acknowledge options are currently in place for two pieces of property, including one on Falcon Drive near Wendy’s restaurant and Days Inn. The other potential site was not released.

Officials had withheld releasing information on the potential sites until now.

“Confidentiality agreements have been in place throughout the process and continue to be in place, so information has not been released to anyone outside those discussions,” said Jennifer NeSmith, director of physician relations and marketing at St. Joseph Mt. Sterling. “However, both parties to one of the property options have agreed that as discussions continue, it should be made public that one of those pieces of property being considered is on Falcon Drive near Interstate 64 at Exit 110. It is anticipated that an announcement on the selection will be made in about 30 days.”

NeSmith said negotiations have been tied up as lawyers explore the options.
“Due diligence, which includes title searches, core drillings, traffic studies and boundary definitions are ongoing,” she explained.

NeSmith said St. Joseph officials, like the community, are excited that a new site is within reach.

“The enthusiasm and joyful anticipation of a new hospital in our community is shared by us all and we look forward to sharing information throughout the process as decisions are made,” she said.

Officials with Saint Joseph Health System announced they would be searching for a location for a new Mt. Sterling hospital shortly after it took over Mary Chiles Hospital Aug. 1, 2007.

At the time, officials with Saint Joseph said they expected a new facility to be completed within three years and would offer the newest technology and a heart center, a signature feature of Saint Joseph operated hospitals.

They said they hoped to obtain a property of at least 30 to 40 acres suitable for an expansion in services and added parking.

One local businessman offered Saint Joseph 20 free acres along the Mt. Sterling Bypass across from Mt. Sterling Elementary School in January, but Saint Joseph officials said they were already in negotiations for other property. They also said the Bypass site was not large enough and questions about the suitability of the land were raised.

What happens to the existing hospital is still unknown.

Saint Joseph officials said previously that they would prefer it not be left vacant and would form a committee to look into possible uses for the property.

Mary Chiles had been providing care here since 1918 as a non-profit hospital.
Saint Joseph Health System operates several hospitals throughout Kentucky, including two in Lexington.

Wrong forum.

More photographs and history can be found here (http://www.mayslick.com/school.html).

May's Lick project receives help (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/04/25/local_news/1363mayslick.txt)
By Wendy Mitchell, Ledger Independent, April 26, 2008

MAY'S LICK -- With the former auction house additions removed, the brick Negro School has again come into view in May's Lick.

Plans, estimated at a cost of $350,000, to renovate and restore the historic school have been given a boost through the announcement earlier this month of Rosenwald Schools grants to help fund the project.

"We will be getting $48,300," said Robyn Jones, president of May's Lick Community Development. "This gives validation to all the work we have put into saving and restoring the school so it can once again be a productive part of the community."

Rosenwald Schools were a chapter in U.S. history, 1918-1932, when Julius Rosenwald, president of Sears Roebuck and former slave, educator and community leader Booker T. Washington went around the rural South and built schools for African-American children to attend. According to historic preservationists, there are only about 10 percent of the original Rosenwald Schools still standing and many of those are in severe disrepair.

The May's Lick school was lucky because it remained in use in one fashion or another until 2006, encased like a turtle in a shell in a larger building, officials said.

When the school closed, it was bought by Bill Kachler and offices were added. The entire property was later bought by Oak Hills Banks and donated to the May's Lick Community Development as a location for a community center and firehouse which will be built a short distance from the school.

Funding to NTHP has come from Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. For the last three years, Lowe's has contributed $1 million to NTHP for use in funding grants like the Rosenwald Schools project, officials said.

"Rosenwald Schools encouraged a sense of community and paved the way for previously unimaginable educational opportunities," said Larry D. Stone, LCEF chairman. "Time and neglect have put these schools in danger, and we need to act now to save these structures that are as significant to the local community's civic life as there are to our nation's history."

Plans are in the works to have the first official benefit activity to raise funds for the balance of restoration needs May 16, leading into the upcoming May's Lick Asparagus Festival, May 17, Jones said.

"We were already getting a new firehouse/community center and now the school restored. The school project is reminding us of the history of our area -- the past -- and restoring it shows the bright future ahead," Jones said.

Plans for future use of the school include use as a museum for school and local history, as well as a meeting area, she said.

A plan to hold the first ever May's Lick Negro School class reunion are also in place for the weekend of Sept. 5, Jones said.

For information about Rosenwald Schools go to http://www.rosenwaldschools.com

For May's Lick information go to http://www.mayslick.com

To correct, a new courthouse was not constructed in 1990. It was an annex that included a jail, similar that was built in many other counties as extensions to the existing courthouse facilities. Most were one-story, small and woefully inadequate. They were built on the cheap, and it doesn't surprise me that Pike County's annex is falling apart already.

What is proposed is not a new courthouse, per se, but a Justice Center that has been constructed elsewhere. The state in the last few years has really upped the effort and has really designed these buildings to be ... very nice. Solid, beautiful buildings.

Planned courthouse site owned by justice (http://www.kentucky.com/254/story/392100.html)
PROPERTIES OF WILL T. SCOTT, FAMILY MEMBERS INVOLVED
By Brandon Ortiz, Herald-Leader, May 1, 2008

PIKEVILLE --
Pike County plans to acquire downtown buildings owned by state Supreme Court Justice Will T. Scott and members of his family for the site of a proposed courthouse.

Scott, a justice since 2005, said the land deal poses no conflict of interest since he doesn't even want to sell his property.

He's not happy that his office has been selected as the site for the $28.4 million project and would prefer to keep his building at 209 Second Street in Pikeville's downtown. Scott said he hopes his office won't be needed.

Nonetheless, he said he'll accept the county's offer of $360,000 rather than fight condemnation. Scott said he does not want to stand in the way of Pike County's getting a new courthouse.

"I hope the day I breathe my last breath I have a chance to be in this office," Scott said. "And then upon my death it's going to belong to my children. I don't want to sell it. I don't need to sell it."

The county has offered $300,500 and $297,000 for two other properties -- a theater and office building -- owned by Scott's relatives, including a one-sixth interest owned by a trust in his mother's name.

Project officials say the proposed site, between Second and Main streets and Pike and Division streets, is the best that could be found in Pikeville's crowded and compact downtown, which is tucked between a river and Appalachian hills.

The fact that properties owned by Scott and his relatives were selected for the site is purely coincidental, project officials said.

"I can assure you that everything was above board," said magistrate Jeff Anderson, a member of a county board that is overseeing the project. "It just so happened that they owned the property and that is the location we chose."

The project is controversial in Pikeville because it will tear down several historic downtown properties.

Scott, a descendant of Pike County's wealthy Weddington family, bought his office with his mother, Betty Thompson Scott, from relatives for $150,000 in 1996, according to county records.

Betty Scott gave her son her interest in the property in two deed transfers in 2000 and 2004. In documents filed with the county clerk, they swore the fair market value for her one-third interest was $50,000, based on what they had paid for the building, Will T. Scott said.

The Pike County Property Valuation Administrator assessed the building, formerly known as the Weddington Building, to be worth $150,000 in 2004.

Project officials note that it's not uncommon for properties to sell for far more than their PVA-assessed value, particularly in Pikeville and rural Kentucky. Indeed, the year Scott and his mother bought the office, the PVA valued it at $84,000, a little more than half what they paid.

The planned site takes up roughly 60,000 square feet of land and includes nine properties. Buildings on the block include the Pinson Hotel, Weddington Theater, Raccoon Auto sales, Pike County Artisan Center, law offices and a dry cleaner.

Heirs of the Weddington family own the Weddington Theater building on Second Street and a Main Street office building. A trust for Betty Scott has a one-sixth interest in each building.

The other location considered for the courthouse, in the downtown's riverfill, would have been more expensive because the city demanded a parking garage in return for the city-owned land, project officials said. A 400-car garage was projected to cost $7 million.

Building on a riverfill also created a potential for cost overruns, Anderson said.

The Weddington Theater and Scott's office share a common wall, which Scott owns. That means, if the theater is torn down and Scott's 5,200-square-foot office remains standing, the government and its contractors must ensure the wall is protected.

If something goes awry, Scott would have to sue to protect the wall. Scott said that's not something he wants to fool with.

"I don't want to sit here for five years, having spent 35 years in the courtrooms of Kentucky, litigating with their contractors or subcontractors to fix my roof or fix my wall. And spending money in the courtroom all the time," Scott said. "If they're going to take the Weddington Theater ... then they can go ahead and take this building. But other than that I want to keep my building."

Scott said he has not spoken with project officials or tried to influence where they put the courthouse.

"I don't think that's appropriate," he said.

The Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct says only that judges must avoid the appearance of impropriety in all activities, and outside activities must minimize the risk of conflict with judicial obligations.

The project is being overseen by the Pike County Project Development Board, comprising two judges and officials representing the courts, the county, the city and the bar association. As with all courthouse projects, the county will finance the project through bonds, then will lease the courthouse to the Administrative Office of the Courts for the price of the bond payments.

County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford, who chaired the development board, said four sites were given primary consideration. Each had flaws, he said.

The Pikeville United Methodist Church had indicated early in the process that it was willing to sell, but it later withdrew the offer.

Land near the BB&T bank building downtown was considered but it was deemed too small. An architect from Sherman & Carter, which designed Fayette County's two new courthouses, said in a development board meeting that the court system wanted the judge's offices to be on the same floor as their courtrooms, with space for jury and deliberation rooms, according to meeting minutes.

Those requirements, in addition to a requirement limiting the building to just three stories, meant the courthouse would need a larger land footprint.

Project officials defended the requirements. They said building more than three stories drives up construction costs.

They also wanted the building to be easily identifiable as a courthouse. The BB&T bank had also said it was willing to sell its office tower. But the cost of acquisition (it is assessed at $6.45 million) and its aesthetics ruled it out.

"We want to place (courthouses) in a dignified and prominent placement so they represent the best of America and our county seats," said Garlan VanHook, executive officer of the AOC Facilities Department.

The project board began the process by buying advertisements soliciting offers from property owners to sell land for the courthouse.

The Weddington heirs were among those who said they were willing to sell, according to board members and meeting minutes. Scott did not offer his property, said city manager Donovan Blackburn, who is on the board.

Project officials said all the property owners but one at the proposed site are willing to sell, though they're still negotiating a final price. If the county and property owners can't reach an agreement the county will condemn the property.

The county has offered a combined $1.8 million for the properties, according to project documents. The offers were based on appraisals made by a certified appraiser from Danville. The new facility will be more than 90,000 square feet and is expected to open in November 2010.

Pike County's current courthouse, which sits atop its jail, was built in 1990 at a cost of $7.3 million for both facilities.

Circuit Judge Eddie Coleman says it was poorly built. The walls and foundation are cracked, the roof leaks and there are heating and air conditioning problems. In addition, the building is no longer big enough to handle growing caseloads, Coleman said.

It also does not meet current security standards, Coleman said. Parties, witnesses and court personnel all use the same entrances and elevators, he said. And you must go through the jail to get to the current courthouse.

You can find more about the building here (http://www.abandonedonline.net/index.php?catid=3).

City to condemn Sears building (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_122235351.html)
Officials say developer did not meet March 1 deadline
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, May 1, 2008

ASHLAND — The clock has run out on a downtown housing project, according to city officials.

Ashland city leaders gave developer Perry Madden a March 1 deadline to have a plan for refurbishing the former Sears building at the corner of 17th Street and Winchester Avenue or else tear it down.

With the March deadline two months in the past and no concrete plans from Madden, city officials are moving forward with condemnation proceedings.

Greg Rice, director of planning and community development, said he expects the building to be condemned by the end of business today.

Whether condemnation will bring the building down remains to be seen — the estimate to demolish the six-story building stands at six figures and is not in the city budget. If the city demolishes the structure and places a lien against the property it could take years to recover the funds and would make the property harder to sell for redevelopment.

Ashland Mayor Steve Gilmore said he has had conversations with Madden about possible condemnation proceedings and was assured it would not come to that. “He had stated to me in the past that the city would not have to condemn and then take the action of demolition; he would do that before the city could,” Gilmore said.

Gilmore expressed regret that the situation had come to this point.

“It’s a landmark building and it’s a building I personally would much prefer be restored and made a vibrant corner of downtown again but that obviously isn’t going to happen,” he said. “We think its a detriment to extended development in the area.”

He added he also feels the building is a danger with bricks and mortar falling from it and asked Madden several weeks ago to fence the area off — a request he immediately complied with.

Madden and his wife, Susan Madden, who own the entire block facing Winchester Avenue including the Sears building, Henry Clay House and the former J.C. Penney buildings, had planned to refurbish the entire block.

The Penney’s building was demolished last year to make way for a 40-unit senior housing complex. But it now appears that project may also fail to come to fruition.

Perry Madden was out of town and could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday night.

Bridge gets a floral touch (http://www.thetimestribune.com/homepage/local_story_123120139.html)
Corbin Master Gardeners will each rotate a week at a time throughout the summer months to keep the Engineer Street bridge plants watered.
By Bobbie Poynter, Times Tribune, May 2, 2008

Corbin’s Engineer Street Bridge received an added touch of floral color Wednesday thanks to the members of the Whitley County Master Gardeners.

The idea to dress up the newly renovated bridge with hanging pots, several planters and urns came about as Mayor Willard McBurney and Sarah and Tim Pennington were taking a casual stroll over the bridge.

“The mayor was there, and we just all got to talking about maybe putting some flowers out here, and he thought it was a good idea,” said Master Gardener Sarah Pennington.

Antiques and Accents, the Corbin Ossoli Club and PRIDE donated the supplies and funds for the project.

Sarah Pennington picked out all of the plants to be used on the bridge, which included fountain grass, new wave petunias, diplandenia, million belles and more. Each of the annual plants was chosen for its brilliant colors hardiness and drought resistance.

The four master gardeners planting at the bridge, Sarah Pennington, Shelley Goldbloom, Wendal Mitchell, and Jim Becker will each take a week in turn throughout the summer to water the Engineer Street Bridge plants.

“The Master Gardeners are everyday people who are willing to take classes to learn all aspects of gardening, including insects, diseases, fertilizers, lawn care, and the different types of soil,” said Wendal Mitchell.

“We start by attending classes that run from January into May,” added Jim Becker. “After that, we keep abreast of things by performing community service like teaching classes or speaking at clubs or organizations, or even like we’re doing here, planting flowers to help beautify this bridge.”

Now an eyesore (http://www.dailyindependent.com/editorials/local_story_123134553.html)
Condemnation of old Sears building was necessary
Daily Independent, May 5, 2008

No one can accuse Ashland city officials of not being patient about the fate of the former Sears building at the corner of Winchester Avenue and 17th Street. For years, the six-story building — once a vital retail center in the heart of the central business district — has stood vacant and deteriorating while promises were made by owners Perry and Susan Madden to restore the structure.

On Thursday, the city lost patience. It moved to have the building condemned, the first step of what could lead to the building’s demolition. Or, in the best case scenario, the condemnation could speed up the building’s restoration.

Regardless of the eventual impact of the condemnation, we can find no fault with what the city has done. It gave the Maddens until March 1 to come up with definitive plans for the building, and when that deadline was missed, the city clearly had to do something more dramatic.

Like Mayor Steve Gilmore, we would prefer to see the building’s restoration instead of its demolition. After all, 30 years ago, Sears, the adjacent J.C. Penney’s, and Parson’s Department Store located just across 17th Street, were three major anchor stores in what was still a bustling downtown shopping district. Today, the J.C. Penney’s building has been torn down and is now a vacant lot, and the lower floors of the old Parson’s are now the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center with plans to renovate the upper floors for the Ashland Community and Technical College’s nursing program.

Meanwhile, instead of being an important part of a revitalized downtown Ashland, the Sears building is an eyesore that has become a sad reminder of when large crowds of people frequented the many downtown retail stores. Instead of promoting development downtown, it is a detriment to it. Who wants to be located so close to an eyesore? A vacant lot would be better than the status quo.

Greg Rice, director of planning and community development, admits that the city does not have the funds in its budget to demolish the building. In fact, placing a lien against the property could make it more difficult to sell and develop.

However, the city had to do something, and condemnation was the next logical step. Let’s hope it actually encourages development of what was once one of the busiest blocks in Ashland.

Courthouse plan wastes taxes, trust (http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/408443.html)
Pike tale shows why Ky. never progresses
Editorial, Herald-Leader, May 18, 2008

If the story of the new Pike County Courthouse was fiction, you would think the author was throwing in everything he had to make Kentucky look bad.

Fiction it's not.

For those who still scratch their heads about our persistent lame ratings in almost everything, this true story is a cautionary tale about how we got here and why we're not going anywhere.

It's a tale of cozy relationships, questionable planning, wacky property assessments and throwing good money after bad.

Wasteful spending

Pike County got a new courthouse and jail in 1990 at a cost of $7.3 million. So, why, when courthouses built a century ago are still in use all over the country, can't Pike County keep one for 20 years?

It was poorly built, a circuit judge there told Herald-Leader reporter Brandon Ortiz. The walls and foundations are cracked, the heating and air systems don't work right, the roof leaks.

There's no sign anyone was ever held accountable for the poor construction, so the solution is for taxpayers to ante up $28.4 million to replace it.

There are other ways to waste taxpayer and private dollars. A rash of new courthouses has been something of a plague on historic downtowns. Pikeville's oldest building could be demolished for the courthouse project despite local opposition to destroying some of the town's limited historic properties.

The same was true recently in Flemingsburg, where a courthouse project had threatened to destroy a critical part of that town's history.

Too-cozy relationships

Building county courthouses is the bailiwick of the Administrative Office of the Courts, which is overseen by Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Joseph Lambert.

Lambert's associate on the court, Justice Will T. Scott, owns buildings that will be purchased and torn down to make way for the new Pike County Courthouse.

(Aside from this courthouse, Lambert's son, Joseph P. Lambert Jr., got a job earlier this year with a brokerage and investment firm that has been financial adviser to more than two-thirds of the 60 courthouses built under the senior Lambert's direction over the last decade. The son's girlfriend was recently hired for an unadvertised human-resources job at the AOC.)

Scott says there's no impropriety in his deal because he doesn't want to sell his buildings anyway. Still, he's either getting a very good price, or he has enjoyed a great deal on property taxes.

Lagging assessments

Which brings us to the funny math of Kentucky property assessments. County tax records valued Scott's building at $84,000 in 1996, the year he and his mother paid $150,000 for it.

The Pike County property valuation administrator assessed the building at $150,000 in 2004. But now, four years later, the county is offering $360,000.

Project officials brushed aside any suggestion the county was overpaying by saying that properties commonly sell in Pikeville and elsewhere in rural Kentucky for more than they are assessed.

That's certainly true. It even happens in our state capitol. In a strange real estate deal proposed in Frankfort, several office buildings, collectively, were on the tax books for $20 million, while the sale price was $56.5 million.

However, Kentucky law says that real property "shall be listed, assessed, and valued as of January 1 of each year" which should prevent outdated assessments. State law even spells out that property should be assessed for 100 percent of its value.

One wonders why you'd need to codify such an obvious thing -- until you look at the results of a massive state-ordered reassessment spurred by the Herald-Leader's landmark 1989 series, "Cheating our Children."

Reassessed, the average value of property in Pike County on the tax roles rose 56 percent.

Broader consequences

Who does this hurt?

Pretty much everybody.

Counties use property tax revenues for a lot of things -- roads, water and sewer systems, police and fire service, parks and recreation -- that make life better.

Historically, schools have been almost totally dependent on property taxes, so underassessing diminishes the quality of education for children.

That changed when the litigation and legislation that reformed Kentucky's school-funding system created more financial equity among districts and spurred the reassessment.

In the simplest terms, though, under the reform formula, poor counties with limited tax revenues are subsidized by the entire state, while wealthier counties receive much less state support.

When people pay less in some counties, kids in other places have fewer resources at school, even though their parents pay higher property taxes. When the state makes up the difference from general revenues, there's less money for drug treatment, health care, roads, higher education and dozens of other things.

It's that simple.

It's just one story, the new Pike County Courthouse, with many threads. It's all true and it does make Kentucky look bad.

Worse, it shows us why Kentucky will continue to look bad.

Street changes approved for Judicial Center site (http://www.themoreheadnews.com/local/local_story_137120842.html)
By Leeann Tanner, Morehead Times, May 16, 2008

Rowan County Judge-executive Jim Nickell stood before city council on Monday to get approval to move Norman Wells Lane in preparation for the new Judicial Center.

Currently, Norman Wells runs on an angle from West Main to West First Street. “We asked to square it up,” Nickell told The Morehead News. “It will make the lots more uniform and allow for more green space and parking at the Judicial Center and the future County Building.”

Morehead City Council members approved the judge’s request. In June, Nickell, Architects Sherman, Carter, and Barnhart and the Project Development Board will meet with the Administrative Office of the Courts for final approval of the project.

“Eventually, with the Judicial Center and then the county offices across the street, we’ll have a government square that everyone can be proud of,” Nickell said. “The total plan gives the county four and a half acres to have room to expand in the future and serve the area adequately for 50 or 60 years to come.”

The Judicial Center will house courtrooms and offices. The 39,000+ square foot facility has a $13 million proposed budget. If the proposal receives AOC approval in June, construction will begin in 2010.

The former Cowden Manufacturing building, which is owned by Morehead State University and used as Support Services offices, sits on the future site of the Judicial Center. In an agreement between the two entities, the county will take control of the Cowden building and once the Judicial Center has been completed, MSU will take over their old offices.

Before construction on the Center begins, the Cowden building will be demolished and Norman Wells Lane will be shifted. Fred White currently owns the vacant lot across the street, where Nickell hopes to build the county offices building. “Without the cooperation of MSU and Mr. White, none of this will be possible,” Nickell said. “But when it’s all said and done, we will have beautiful facilities that will make things more convenient for the people of this area.”

Corbin Main Street wins big (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_137094256.html)
Award money to be used for downtown improvements
Times Tribune, May 16, 2008

Corbin’s Main Street program won second place and a $50,000 prize for downtown improvements during the TOUR Southern & Eastern Kentucky awards dinner Thursday evening in Somerset.

Fifteen Corbin residents and city leaders were on hand during the “Unmask Your Potential” dinner at the Center for Rural Development.

Corbin had applied for $100,000 worth of CITY (Community Initiatives in Tourism for You) funds for facade improvements to downtown businesses, and the second place win means that half of those projects will be funded.

The award announcement was kept secret until the end of the dinner.

“I thought I was going to faint,” said Main Street Manager Sharae Myers. “And I was deeply touched by the comments that they had presented that my community had shared about the work I had done.”

When announcing Corbin’s award, Jeff Crowe, director of program development for Tour SEKY, said one downtown pharmacist called the Main Street manager “our light of hope.”

“The application was excellent,” said Vicki Kidd, president/CEO of TOUR SEKY, of Corbin’s win, “but that’s not what sold it. The downtown people are who sold it.”

Kidd said she visited downtown businesses, including S&J Designs, where she said the owners told her, “we need the money, but with or without the money, we’re going to make something happen.”

She also said Corbin’s downtown business owners showed a strong sense of the community working together.

“When you see a community behind you, you can accomplish anything,” Kidd said.

TOUR, a federally-funded initiative of U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers, had received more than $2 million in requests from across 5th Congressional District for $180,000 in CITY funds.

This was the first year that Corbin participated in TOUR programs throughout the year to be eligible to apply for the TOUR money.

“Corbin’s application told a story,” Crowe said. “Everything they talked about in their application, we saw (on Main Street.)”

Crowe said representatives from TOUR walked Corbin’s downtown and were impressed with the attitudes they encountered.

“I think that it gives our citizens and the people on Main Street hope and faith in our program,” added Commissioner Dennis Lynch, who attended the event. “It lets them know that we’re going to make it, and I can’t say just how grateful I am for it (the grant.)”

Corbin Main Street and TOUR SEKY representatives will work together to determine which of the projects will be funded. Myers said actual improvements — such as signage, awnings and paint — may be seen by the end of the summer.

Williamsburg also received $10,000 in CITY funds toward a historic lighting project for downtown.

In Let’s Paint the Town funds, the city of Barbourville received $4,500 and the city of London received $2,000, and in Community Development Funds, Cumberland Falls State Park received funds for telescopes. In the “We’re in the Pink” amateur photography contest for the annual Redbud calendar, Adam Sulfridge, a University of the Cumberlands students in Williamsburg, won second place and a $150 prize.

The top overall winner of the night was the city of Somerset, which received a first-place CITY award for a children’s botanical garden. In the city’s application, Somerset stated it only needed $70,000 of the traditional $100,000 first-place award to complete the project, which allowed TOUR to give an unexpected $30,000 prize to the city of Middlesboro.

Top choice for new courthouse may be 80 percent full (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3821392)
By Charlie Pearl, State Journal, May 20, 2008

Congressman Ben Chandler says he's been told that a prime site for a new courthouse " the John C. Watts building " is 80 percent full and rules prohibit it from being declared excess.

Planners for a new $30 million courthouse complex for Frankfort had made the Watts site their number 1 choice. Chandler said the 80 percent occupancy rate came from the General Services Administration about the status of the Watts building on Broadway in downtown Frankfort.

The Franklin County Project Development Board " interested in obtaining the federal building site for a new judicial center " had asked for assistance of Chandler, a Versailles Democrat.

"It is my understanding the GSA must determine that any given federal property be declared excess before the property enters into the disposition process," said Chandler's letter to Craig G. Dawson, GSA regional administrator in Atlanta.

Franklin County and Frankfort officials "dispute" the contention that the Watts building is 80 percent occupied, Chandler's letter said.

"The Commonwealth of Kentucky is currently in the process of locating property for a planned Judicial Center in Frankfort. The Watts Federal Building site is ideally located for such a center."

Chandler asked GSA to "re-evaluate its determination" regarding the Watts building.

He also asked for "procedural guidance" on disposition, "including the feasibility of transferring ownership from the federal government to the state whereby the state provides the federal government with all space necessary to accommodate its continued needs."

Franklin County Judge-Executive Ted Collins, chairman of the new courthouse Project Development Board, said Monday he hopes to have an answer from GSA regarding the availability and process for site acquisition by the board's next meeting on June 30.

Most of Monday's one-hour meeting was spent in closed session to discuss property acquisition.

After the closed session, Collins said while the board is aggressively trying to obtain the Watts property, the block behind the Frankfort Convention Center " between Clinton and Mero streets, known as the old Model Laundry site " is still being considered.

In April, board member Sam McNamara said the Watts building site could still be an option for the judicial center.

A longtime proponent of the old Model Laundry site, McNamara had said, "If, in fact, we can acquire the Watts property either by a gift or reasonable price through the GSA, then I am very much in favor of that site."

McNamara said the Watts building "was the ideal site from the get-go but we were all specifically told it was not going to be available. So we went another way."

McNamara and other board members seemed surprised Monday to hear that the building may be 80 percent occupied.

Jewelry store to be bought, demolished for parking lot site (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3821382)
By John Zambenini, State Journal, May 20, 2008

The City Commission approved last night at its regular meeting the purchase of a $350,000 property for parking at the new public safety building.

The city will close July 1 on the structure at 226 West Second St., which currently contains the jewelry store, Classic Gold. Additional costs will be incurred in demolishing the structure and building the parking lot.

Commissioner Rodney Williams said at the meeting he was glad the city had found a solution to "the parking quandary," but reminded commissioners about a cheaper option the board had previously reviewed.

"We had the opportunity to purchase the old Noonan grocery building," Williams said, referring to a structure at 200 Second St. that narrowly avoided the wrecking ball at the behest of local preservationists.

Williams said the structure was a grocery store until the 1970s. The building sat empty for more than 20 years, its roof eventually sagging in before the city condemned it, Williams said.

The council had approved the purchase and demolition of the old grocery at its Sept. 24, 2007, work session.

But at an Oct. 22, 2007, meeting, Commissioner Lynn Bowers moved to rescind its approval of the purchase. Mayor May seconded the motion.

May said at the time that he held off on signing a contract the city had prepared with property owner Bill Noonan after the commission's Oct. 8 work session, when there was mention that private citizens were interested in saving the building.

The motion to rescind the vote passed 3-2 at the Oct. 22 meeting, Commissioners Williams and Kathy Carter cast dissenting votes. Commissioner Doug Howard cast the tie-breaking vote.

May said the new lot will be a pilot project for an environmentally friendly porous concrete surface that will help alleviate drainage issues.

May said the Kentucky Concrete Association will donate approximately $100,000 in materials to the project. "I am so appreciative for that donation," he said.

The commission also heard its first reading of an ordinance raising city employees' salaries by 3 percent before going into an executive session to discuss personnel issues.

Dirt flew in preparation for newest justice center in Kentucky (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/05/21/local_news/1293robertson.txt)
By Wendy Mitchell, Ledger Independent, May 19, 2008

MOUNT OLIVET -- Insisting on all Kentucky residents being treated equal, Administrative Office of the Courts Chief Justice Joseph Lambert has pushed for the largest, smallest and every county size in between to have a modern judicial center during his tenure, he said.

"There are no second class counties in Kentucky ... they all deserve equal facilities," Lambert said.

Robertson County officials and guest dignitaries dug a shovel deeper into having one of the next judicial centers to be built in Kentucky, as past and present judicial, state and county officials attended the ceremonial ground-breaking for the Robertson County Judicial Center on Monday.

No longer will Robertson County be able to claim the dubious distinction of having the only county courthouse without functional rest-room facilities, officials said.

"It has been a long process ... it came in way over budget (two times) but everyone finally came together; Robertson County is finally going to get its judicial center," announced Robertson Judge Executive Billy "Hammer" Allison as he introduced dignitaries and guest of honor.

The sun was shining through the tall windows of the nearly century and a half year old courthouse where officials were seated. A relic of time, the old courthouse will remain in place and eventually be given a face lift of its own after the new judicial center is placed to its side.

"There was a girl greeting us at the door today. When she is old and grey, like some of us are today, the building we are breaking ground for today will continue to be serving this community," Lambert said.

More than 70 new justice centers have been built or are in the process of being built in Kentucky during Lambert's tenure in office, said Circuit Court Judge Robert McGinnis, who vice chaired the project.

"There were some legislators in larger counties who seemed to think Robertson County was not deserving of any money at all," McGinnis said.

There were plenty of kudos to go around.

"I talked with (former judge executive) Wayne Buckler 12 years ago about this ... even then the need was recognized for a modern justice center while preserving this piece of history," said State Rep. Tom McKee.

Lambert credited McKee's tenacity for the judicial center project's success.

"There is no one more determined and dedicated to representing his constituents in Frankfort," Lambert said., "We are here because of Tom McKee."

McKee included State Sen. Charlie Borders in the congratulations; Borders had been called away on an emergency, McKee explained.

"With perseverance we are here today to turn some dirt," McKee said.

With gleaming shovels in hand, more than a dozen officials with ceremonial hard hats in place dug into a pile of dirt and let it fly on command for photo opportunities.

Construction on the judicial center is expected to be completed by April, 2009.

"I keep telling everyone, at this time next year I'll be in there," said Robertson Circuit Clerk Martha Workman before the ceremony, "I am really looking forward to the space."

Though Workman's' current office was originally scheduled for demolition to make room for the original design, the shift in positioning of the new building, closer to Walnut Street, means the old office may be relegated for storage use.

"Everybody can use storage space," she said.

Following photos, a reception was held in the courthouse.

Bank's costly restoration praised (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3841301)
By Paul Glasser, State Journal, May 23, 2008

Retired ophthalmologist Dr. John Paul Broderson says he's humble and grateful to receive an award for his role in restoring the historic State National Bank on West Main Street.

Broderson was honored at a Capitol Rotunda ceremony Wednesday afternoon where he received an Ida Lee Willis historic preservation award.

Broderson bought the property in 2006 for $290,000 and spent about $300,000 renovating it.

The bank was built in 1910 in the Beaux-Arts style with Georgian windows and a terra cotta ceramic faade. Three murals painted by Emil Terlinden in 1937 are inside.

"We tried as best we could to bring that life back into it," Broderson said. "Just putting whitewash on it would be terrible."

The restoration was finished in 2007, but Broderson said it was difficult to find someone who could help clean the dirty and faded terra cotta tiles. A pressure washer could have damaged the tiles' ceramic glaze, he said.

Stephen Collins, son of former Gov. Martha Layne Collins, is chairman of the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation. Stephen Collins said the bank project was an outstanding example of historic preservation through private investment.

Broderson credited the project to the assistance of several experts and consultants, including architect Jim Burris, restoration specialist Jim Adams and Art's Electric and homebuilder Gary Hager.

"I stood on the shoulders of giants," Broderson said. "I was impressed by all the knowledge people had."

The building has 4,300 square feet of office space and includes two conference rooms, an office and two vaults with the original doors.

Broderson said he has a verbal agreement with the Lloyds of London insurance market company and has sent them several contracts covering tenants.

He said the deal hasn't been finalized although he hopes he can put the Lloyds of London name on the sign out front, which lists tenants. Now, the sign has the name of his property holding firm, Carpe Diem.

One of the biggest expenses in the renovation project included repairing and restoring 69 baluster columns that line the roof.

"Chicken wire and duct tape were holding them together," he said. "Fifty percent of the renovation cost went up top where nobody will see it."

Broderson received government support for the project, including a faade grant and federal and state tax credits equal to 20 percent of the renovation costs.
"The thing I've learned is government needs to work with local business and owners to help them help themselves," he said.

The building housed several financial institutions for about 70 years but was vacant for seven years before Broderson bought it. He said there was water damage inside and the building was in poor condition overall.

"It was really kind of falling down," Broderson said.

He worked with Russ Hatter, assistant curator of the Capital City Museum, to find pictures and records that described the original style of the building.

http://www.kentucky.com/779/story/417288.html

Versailles council OKs U.S. 60/Bypass rezoning
SOME SAY DECISION IGNORES WORK OF COMMUNITY TASK FORCE
By Greg Kocher
GKOCHER1@HERALD-LEADER.COM


VERSAILLES --Paving the way for a new home-improvement store and possibly other retailers and a hotel, Versailles City Council unanimously approved the rezoning of Versailles Center and an adjacent property.

Tuesday's 6-0 decision immediately came under fire from those who said it repudiates the work of a 1999-2001 community task force that had hoped to turn the languishing shopping center into something other than a strip mall.

"You just abandoned that vision," Versailles resident Joan Crowe told the council moments after its vote.

But council members defended their decision, saying that Versailles citizens demand more shopping options at home rather than being forced to drive to Lexington or Frankfort for major appliances.

"All my constituents are on me every day: 'Please get something for Versailles,'" said council member Owen Roberts.

"With these gas prices and the economic state that we're in, you need to have things in place where you can just go and pick up what you need," said council member Mary Bradley.

As with other controversial zoning matters in Woodford County, the council decision may be headed for court. Hank Graddy, the attorney for the Woodford Coalition, a group of neighborhood interests who monitor development, said he will recommend that the coalition appeal the city's decision to circuit court.

The city-county planning commission had recommended denial of the rezoning on May 8, but the city council "has found a way to look the other way," Graddy said. Under the law, the city council can accept or reject the planning commission recommendation or hold its own hearing.

The present zoning for Versailles Center, the home of the Versailles Flea Mall and Antique Center, prohibits any retail space larger than 60,000 square feet. The zoning that property owner Rubloff Group Holdings sought would allow a 111,000-square-foot Lowe's plus a 27,000-square-foot garden center.

The conceptual plan submitted to the planning commission also included restaurants, a four-story motel, a gas station and bank on the properties off U.S. 60 and the 60 Bypass east of downtown Versailles. Rubloff, an Illinois-based company that owns Turfland Mall in Lexington, has owned Versailles Center since 1999.

Opponents had said Rubloff's proposal would ignore the architectural design standards that resulted from a local task force's 18-month discussion about what new development should look like and how it should be situated. Those design standards encouraged tree-lined sidewalks, two-story buildings with ground-floor retail and upper-floor apartments, and pedestrian-friendly spaces.

Opponents also noted that Rubloff had willingly participated in that task force, which had attracted input from 500 citizens through a series of meetings that formed a community consensus. That 26-member task force was funded with $200,000 in public money, including $100,000 from the Versailles City Council.

But at a March planning commission hearing, Rubloff executives said they couldn't find any potential businesses willing to meet the design standards.

A couple of planning commissioners, citing Rubloff's previous plans that didn't materialize, had said at the May 8 meeting that there is no guarantee that Lowe's will come.

Even the city council had taken Rubloff to task in recent years. In 2006, as part of a condemnation process that later lost steam, the council designated the property as "blighted."

And in 2007, the council began an effort to "downzone" the property from commercial uses to agricultural, but withdrew that action in the wake of a lawsuit filed by Rubloff and its mortgage lender.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg Kocher covers Woodford County for the Herald-Leader. Reach him at (859) 885-5775.

http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/images_sizedimage_148083203/xl

Judicial Center groundbreaking (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_148083528.html)
Building to change downtown landscape
By Brad Hicks, Times Tribune, May 27, 2008

A number of local and state officials were on hand in London Thursday for the official groundbreaking ceremony of the new Laurel County Judicial Center.

The Kentucky General Assembly approved funding for the $24 million, approximately 83,000-square-foot judicial center in 2006. Completion of the project is expected around spring 2010.

While Thursday’s event was the official groundbreaking ceremony, crews have actually been working on the site for several months now.

“It looks like we’ve already broken some ground,” Lambert joked. “The argument could be made that the project’s half done. The project is well underway right now.”

Lambert also announced the ceremony will likely be his last in the role of Chief Justice of Kentucky.

“I plan to retire at the end of the month of June,” he said. “It looks like this may be my last groundbreaking as Chief Justice. I can’t think of any place I’d rather have it be than right here. If there’s a place in Kentucky that’s my second home, it’s right here.”

An aspect Lambert pointed out is the new judicial center’s location. It will be located a couple of blocks from the current courthouse location and will be on Main Street. Lambert said courthouses are a vital part of any city’s downtown area.

“As a practical matter, downtown depends on banks, post offices and the courthouse,” he said. “When those places leave, the downtown area is irreparably damaged. We did not want that to happen in London, Ky. It may cost a little more, but it’s worth it to support London, Ky.”

According to Lambert, the updating of older courthouses is crucial and it has been a goal of his to see that courthouses and judicial centers in other areas of the state receive the same treatment as Laurel County.

“During the last decade, we moved aggressively to construct new courthouses and judicial centers,” he said. “A lot of older buildings won’t accommodate the high-tech gadgetry necessary nowadays. As a matter of fact, we have, in the last 10 years, completed, begun or underway 70 new courthouses. I believe citizens who come to court who discharge their citizenship deserve a decent place to work and show their citizenship.”

He also said the court is important in helping people and families facing problems, such as drugs and child neglect.

“We simply have to do more with the problems our society faces,” Lambert said. “Those are things the courts of this county are dealing with. The truth of the matter is we must absolutely do our best to serve those needs.”

Lambert said as he looked across the crowd in attendance, he saw a lot of “gray-haired” individuals who he said may not be able to use the new center for many years to come. However, he pointed out a young girl in the crowd and said construction of the center is being completed for the generation she more closely represents.

“It’s tangible evidence we have faith in the future of our city, county, region and state,” Lambert said of the center’s construction. “It’s our sign of confidence that the county will be around and be progressive for many years to come.”

Senator Tom Jensen also spoke, giving all the credit to Lambert for the construction of new judicial centers statewide.

“This is the brainchild of Justice Lambert,” he said. “He’s developed lists, and priorities, and what courthouses should be built in what order. This will be his greatest legacy, these courthouses, because they’ll be here for a long time. He’s done an outstanding job making decisions. He didn’t do the most popular thing. He based his decisions off of what was right and wrong and made decisions accordingly.”

Jensen also commended the efforts of local officials in bringing the new center to Laurel County.

“The fiscal court and Judge(-Executive Lawrence) Kuhl did a great job in working this up,” Jensen said. “It’s been a wonderful experience watching how this goes. This facility is going to be used here for 50 years or better.”

And while the center’s opening is still about two years away, officials are already anticipating the day when its doors open.

“We look forward to spring 2010,” Kuhl said. “We hope all here are part of that when it does happen.”

Lambert also said residents should have as much faith in the new center as officials do. He recalled what Garlan Vanhook, executive officer of the Department of Facilities for the Administrative Office of the Courts, said to him before he was introduced by Kuhl.

“Garlan whispered, ‘This is a great project,’” Lambert said. “’There will be no finer judicial center than the one in Laurel County, Ky.’”

http://www.kentucky.com/779/story/419353.html

Midway residents irked over proposal
DEVELOPMENT WOULD DOUBLE POPULATION
By Greg Kocher
GKOCHER1@HERALD-LEADER.COM

MIDWAY --Residents of this small Woodford County town protested in 2006 when a stockyards was proposed for the commerce park north of Interstate 64.

That proposal went nowhere. But on Thursday night residents said they're not keen about a new proposal from Lexington developer Dennis Anderson that would pack 602 single-family houses and townhouse units onto land that was once touted as the place to put new industry.

The development that also includes offices, an 80-unit hotel, walking trails, a winery and other small businesses would double the population of Midway, where the 2000 U.S. Census counted 1,620 residents.

"I think if a developer came into Lexington and said, 'We're going to propose a zone change that will double the number of housing units in Lexington,' people would laugh that person out of the room," said Midway resident Pam Thomas.

But supporters said Midway Station Commerce Park has not been able to attract industries, so it's time to try a new strategy.

Michael Duckworth, chairman of the Woodford County Economic Development Authority, which owns the land, said Anderson's plan could potentially lower sewer and tax rates, expand the tax base, and use existing water and sewer lines that were built for the commerce park.

"Anderson Communities represents the best chance to bring economic development to our community," Duckworth said.

The Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Planning and Zoning Commission took no action on the rezoning proposal.

The Woodford Coalition, a group of neighborhood associations that monitor developments in the county, generally supports "mixed-use" developments such as the one proposed for Midway.

But coalition attorney Hank Graddy said doubling the number of housing units "is too dramatic a change for this community and too much to ask this planning commission, city council and the community to absorb without dramatically impacting the character, the charm, what makes Midway a special place."

Planning Commission Carl Ellis noted that the property has been in and out of litigation over the years. So he posed a point-blank question to Anderson.

"Are you committed to following through, if you have the lawsuits and you have the fighting?" Ellis asked.

"We will actively defend ourselves against a lawsuit," Anderson said.

Farmers market to open soon (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_150003327.html)
Funding problems lessen grandeur of the riverfront depot’s addition
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, May 29, 2008

ASHLAND — A farmers market will open in the coming weeks at Ashland’s Riverfront Depot, but it will not be the grand opening officials had hoped for.

Plans to convert the west-end of the old C&O Railroad depot into a thriving year-round market with permanent indoor vendors and an outdoor seasonal market have stalled in recent months because of funding. Committee members said in February they expected the conversion to be complete in time to coincide with the opening of the seasonal market but despite months of labor the project has yet to bear fruit.

Christy Ford, an Ashland Main Street program assistant, said the project has hit a snag getting approval to redirect $200,000 in state grant funds toward the project.

The grant was awarded to Ashland from the state Transportation Cabinet in 2006 and was originally designated for upper floor renovations at the depot, which also houses the city’s transportation services. That project was tabled early last year after city commissioners rejected a bid to complete the project they said was too expensive.

To use those funds before they are lost and stretch them further, Ford said, the city has requested to use its engineers to design the renovations instead of an accredited historical architect, which is required. An accredited architect was consulted but the proposal to design renovations, which have already been sketched, was “really pricey” and “out of the realm of possibility” for the project, she said.

While materials and the highly skilled labor, such as electric and plumbing work, would still have to be put out for bid, officials think using city resources will significantly decrease the overall $700,000 price tag and speed the project along.

Economic Development Director and Riverfront Market committee member Chris Pullem said the request is not with precedent and the city is fairly confident the state will approve the move. He pointed out that the city was given approval to use city staff to design its Streetscape project, which was also paid for using state transportation enhancement funds.

Pullem said he expects the cost of the project will drop drastically from the earlier $700,000 estimates once city engineers are released on it and can do a more in-depth and accurate cost analysis.

“Once we get arms around that cost we can start to bid out rest of project. We have to have a mechanism to come up with a real cost,” he said. “I don’t think we can move forward until we have that. While we have an estimate I think we can do better. I think our city staff can do better and put real numbers in place.”

Even if approved, it is unclear where the additional funds will come from. As phase three of Ashland’s Riverfront development master plan, the market is eligible to use federally-earmarked funds, but city leaders have been hesitant to commit any to the project so far. Committee members say they are seeking other outside funding as well.

Riverwalk project making progress (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/06/03/local_news/1247riverwalk.txt)
By Barbara Goldman, Ledger Independent, June 3, 2008

Plans to build a new hospital in Lawrence County took a big step forward this week, but the project is not quite as close to reality as initial reports may have indicated.

State Sen. John Carey announced Thursday that House Bill 562 included $500,000 toward the eventual relocation and upgrade of the more than 140-year-old Dennis J. Boll Group and Shelter Home.

Carey said in a prepared statement that the money would ensure that the youth facility is able to continue serving troubled youth in the area, but could also make way for St. Mary’s Medical Center to re-establish a full-service hospital in the county.

“This project is a win-win for all involved,” Carey said. “Not only will the Lawrence County Youth Facility be able to continue its valuable work, but its relocation will make way for a much-need hospital in the area, providing greater access to health care for residents of Lawrence County, bringing jobs to the surrounding community and helping further the ongoing community revitalization efforts in Ironton.”

Carey estimated that a new hospital would create as many as 300 full-time jobs.

But Doug Korstanje, director of marketing and community relations for the Huntington, W.Va., health care provider, cautioned that it is still way too soon to raise expectations and talk about definitive plans.

“St. Mary’s Medical Center wants to thank the entire Lawrence County legislative delegation for securing this funding,” Korstanje said. “This allocation is just one of many steps needed to determine the feasibility of building a new medical facility in Lawrence County. St. Mary’s is pleased to be a part of this planning process.”

In November, officials announced the formation of the corporation, Lawrence County’s Healthcare Future LLC, a partnership between St. Mary’s, the Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization, a group of physicians and business leaders.

“The focus was on determining what can be done to improve the delivery of health care in Lawrence County,” Korstanje said. “The LLC is one step. Securing of this funding is another.”

Regardless, the state funding will help address the problem of the aging youth home.

“For several years, we have looked at the group home as old and outdated facility. The capital budget may provide some opportunities for funds to relocate the facility,” said county commissioner Jason Stephens. “We need a group home regardless of what would go in at that location.”

In January, Brett Looney, the group home director, and Lawrence County Juvenile Court Judge David Payne informed commissioners the group home was at risk of losing its certification for some state funding unless improvements are made.

In addition, the capital budget bill provides nearly $800,000 for renovations and improvements at Ohio University’s Southern Campus.

Included among these projects are basic renovations, campus entry and grounds improvements, renovation planning for the academic building laboratory and classroom, as well as upgrades to the Proctorville Center.

Watts site ruled out as possibility (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3883052)
By Charlie Pearl, State Journal, June 3, 2008

The John C. Watts Federal Building on Broadway has been ruled out officially as a site for a new Franklin County Judicial Center.

The General Services Administration, the federal government's landlord, says it's not available and there are no plans otherwise. Negotiations for the Model Laundry site are continuing, officials say.

Planners for a new $30 million judicial center made the downtown Watts site their number 1 choice and had asked Congressman Ben Chandler, a Versailles Democrat, for help in getting it.

Chandler said he'd been told the Watts building was 80 percent full and rules prohibit it from being declared excess.

However, in a May 7 letter to Craig Dawson, GSA regional administrator in Atlanta, Chandler said Franklin County officials "dispute" the contention that the Watts building is 80 percent occupied.

Saying the federal site "is ideally located" for a Franklin County Judicial Center, Chandler asked GSA to "re-evaluate its determination" regarding the Watts building.

Responding in a May 22 letter to Chandler, Dawson said, "GSA has carefully reviewed the need for the Watts (building) and has determined there is a continuing federal need for this property. The building is 84 percent occupied, and there is additional interest in the vacant space from the federal community.

"The U.S. Courts, which are a primary tenant of the space, have not identified a need for additional space in Frankfort, and a new federal courthouse in Frankfort currently is not part of any long range plan."

Chandler said GSA's decision "is disappointing. But nonetheless the decision of this agency, which by law is charged with the disposition of federal property, appears to be final.

"It is my hope that local officials can identify an alternate strategy in the near future, and if the federal government is involved I would be glad to be part of the solution," Chandler told The State Journal Friday.

According to Chandler's Lexington office, GSA says the agencies currently located at the Watts building are: District Court, Magistrate Court, Bankruptcy Court, U.S. Probation, U.S. Attorneys, U.S. Marshals, Department of Transportation's Motor Car Safety Administration and Federal Highway Administration, FBI, Fish and Wildlife, and Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

The Franklin County Project Development Board " charged with finding a site for the judicial center and overseeing construction " was expecting a response from GSA by June 30, its next regular meeting.

Franklin County Judge-Executive Ted Collins, chairman of the board, said Friday he has a copy of Dawson's letter but wanted to share it with other members before commenting.

"I need to ask them if they want to pursue it further," Collins said. "I can't make that decision on my own. I don't know if we can brainstorm and come up with other ways to get the property."

Meanwhile, Collins said the board still has County Attorney Rick Sparks negotiating with property owners in the block behind the Frankfort Convention Center " between Clinton and Mero streets, known as the old Model Laundry site.

That block was the board's top-priority before the Watts building became a possibility.
Sparks said Friday, "Nothing has changed in terms of my marching orders. I'm only working on the Model Laundry property. I've contacted all the property owners (of about 10 parcels) trying to find out about their willingness to sell and a sale price. Those negotiations are continuing."

The board's budget for site acquisition is $1.6 million.

In his letter to Dawson, Chandler also had asked GSA for "procedural guidance" on disposition, "including the feasibility of transferring ownership from the federal government to the state whereby the state provides the federal government with all space necessary to accommodate its continued needs."

In reply, Dawson said, "Although there are no plans for disposal of the asset," he included at Chandler's request the disposition procedure:

>Once GSA declares a building excess, the property is screened with other federal agencies.

>If there is no identified federal government need, the property will be determined surplus.

>Once a property is determined surplus, it must be screened through Housing and Urban Development
to determine suitability for homeless assistance providers.

>If HUD determines the property suitable, GSA must give priority to homeless assistance providers.

>If there is no interest from homeless assistance providers, the building would then be made available to public bodies either through public benefit conveyance or negotiated sale, depending on the
property's highest and best use.

"Although co-location of agencies in a state-owned property is conceivable from a leasehold perspective, GSA would not pursue such an option when appropriate federally-controlled space is available to accommodate the need like the case in Frankfort," Dawson's letter said.

Owensboro hotel in trouble (http://www.kentucky.com/779/story/425116.html)
Messenger-Inquirer, June 6, 2008

OWENSBORO, Ky. --
A prominent western Kentucky hotel is running out of money and may close in weeks, officials say, prompting a debate over whether the local government should consider saving it.

Court-appointed receiver Steven Baer said the Executive Inn Rivermont won't make its payroll beyond June 20 and the company would rather shut down than continue losing money.

"The essence of it is, mid-June, we're out of money," Baer said. "I personally feel a sense of urgency."

Owensboro's Downtown Development Corp. voted this week to encourage city and county officials to "buy or be in a position to control the future development" of the hotel.

"If they lock the doors down there, it will set Owensboro back 10 years," said Terry Woodward, chairman of the downtown agency. "There's a saying in retail that it takes 10 years to build a reputation and 10 minutes to lose it. We're going to lose millions in this community if that hotel closes."

The hotel has been a venue for nationally known music acts. On its Web site, it lists shows later this year by country legends Loretta Lynn and the Oak Ridge Boys.

A judge on Tuesday ordered the April sale of the hotel to be finalized by next week. Marshall Investments won the hotel during bidding in April, but hasn't completed the sale.

John Stevenson, an attorney for Marshall Investments, said following the hearing that the firm would comply with the judge's order but that the future of the hotel beyond the sale is unknown.

"I suspect it will unfold very quickly," Stevenson said.

Minnesota/Owensboro Executive Inn LLC, the Minnesota firm that owned the Executive Inn Rivermont before it was auctioned in April, failed to pay about $30,000 in hotel room taxes.

A room tax paid when people stay at a local hotel funds the visitors bureau. Part of room tax revenue is also used to pay debt service for capital projects at the RiverPark Center and the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art.

Marshall Investments has until Monday to pay $182,000 in back taxes to the city and county and court fees to complete its purchase of the hotel.

If Marshall fails to pay, the hotel will be put back on the auction block with the firm barred from bidding on it without cash in hand, or possibly from bidding on the property at all.

Daviess County Judge-Executive Reid Haire said it is unlikely that local government will buy the hotel because officials cannot get a concrete answer on the hotel's selling price. County officials have received conflicting information on a sale price, Haire said.

"The first question I'd ask is: At what price? Any price? Do we pay $8 million? $20 million?" Haire said.

Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson said until the ownership issue is sorted out, it's nearly impossible for local government to consider buying the hotel without a cost estimate.

Haire said the hotel does not appear capable of sustaining itself.

"If it were a viable, profit-making entity, you would have private money lined up to buy it, but you don't," Haire said. "You have (people) hoping government will bail them out. I'm not sure government is designed to be a bailout for ill-advised investments."

http://www.kentucky.com/779/story/429199.html

City scrambles as largest hotel closes
The Associated Press

OWENSBORO, Ky. --Owensboro's largest hotel abruptly shut down and its guests were scrambling to find lodging, leaving many in the western Kentucky city worried about the future.

From where to hold large weddings to where to house thousands of softball players scheduled to come for a tournament, the question on everyone's mind was how the city could soften the economic blow caused by the weekend closure of the 550-room Executive Inn Rivermont.

The 31-year-old hotel, once western Kentucky's largest, was sold to Marshall Investments of Minneapolis in a deal completed Monday.

"It's a sad day, isn't it?" said John Stevenson, a local attorney for Marshall Investments, who said Marshall now owns the property - not the hotel business. "The trickle-down effects of this will run deeper and last longer than anyone thinks."

About 200 people lost their jobs when the hotel closed.

As rumors began to circulate about a possible closure late last week, economic development agencies worked to find ways to shore up the county's sagging $220 million tourism economy.

Tish Correa-Osborne, chairwoman of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, sent an e-mail Friday asking the chamber's 900 members to open their homes to visitors displaced by the hotel's closing.

Hosting visitors, Correa-Osborne said, "may be a small gesture, but it would certainly be one remembered for years and events to come."

Jody Wassmer, chamber president, said Monday he had received five or six calls from people wanting to host visitors. "We expect the list to grow," he said.

The closure left Kelli Davis, 24, of Rockport, Ind., in a panic when she learned the hotel would close before her wedding Saturday. Davis and fiancé, Wes Fueger of Midway, Ind., had spent eight months planning a 300-person reception at the Executive Inn when they got word Thursday of the closing.

Davis said she was able to move the event to the Owensboro Country Club. "We're lucky they were open for our date. They have been a lifesaver," she said.

Davis' father, Terry Davis, said they have been told their $5,500 deposit will not be refunded.

"This was the type of thing you see on TV that really doesn't happen, except it did happen to us," Terry Davis said.

People who have bought tickets to performances at the hotel - upcoming acts advertised on the hotel's Web site included Loretta Lynn, the Oak Ridge Boys and Shooter Jennings - were told they will not get refunds at this time.

Jim Voyles of Total Market Concepts, who was busy Monday moving his office out of the Executive Inn's basement, had helped recruit sports tournaments that are expected to bring 1,077 teams and 45,830 players and fans from across the country to the city this summer.

"We're trying to find rooms within a two-hour radius of Owensboro for these tournaments," Voyles said. "I'm getting calls from Lexington, Bowling Green and Evansville (Ind.) wanting us to move tournaments there. They're circling like vultures."

The 2008 Amateur Softball Association Girls' Class A 16-and-under Fast Pitch National Championship, scheduled to begin July 27, is "10 times larger than the others," said Karen Miller, executive director of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau. It needs 400 rooms, she said.

"We're working hard to keep as many people in town as we can," Miller said.

The tournament is expected to draw about 140 teams and 10,000 people from across the country.

"We're just praying that the ASA doesn't step in and move the tournament," Voyles said. "We have a 10-year history with them. But history means very little. It's what you can do today that counts."

Local officials were still optimistic Monday that a new company will soon buy the Executive Inn.

"No formal written offer to purchase has been received," Stevenson said. "But I'm expecting it in the next week."

City to close College Street for 14 months (http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=41531&format=html)
By Bobbie Curd, Advocate-Messenger, June 10, 2008

City officials approved a request Monday from Centre College to close College Street for 14 months while Cowan Dining Commons is replaced.

The street, which runs through the heart of campus, will be closed through August of next year. The request passed by a 3-1 vote.

The existing dining hall, at the intersection of Walnut, College and Main streets, will be demolished beginning just after this weekend's Great American Brass Band Festival. A new campus center will be constructed in its place.

City Commissioner Gail Louis said the street closure, which will start Monday, will create an inconvenience for attendees to the Norton Center for the Arts' fall, winter and spring venues.

John Cuny, who appeared on Centre's behalf, told the commission other options have been reviewed, but the area's terrain is hilly and setting up machine equipment in another section would mean moving things further out into pedestrian traffic.

He distributed a letter that spelled out how Jerry Meyer, project manager for Centre, has contacted various departments and individuals with the city regarding the closing of College Street.

The proposed location of construction trailers is along the east side of the street.

Louis said she also is concerned about the vendors for next year's GABBF and questioned if anyone had thought about factoring this in.

Crowley said the logistics committee has already been hard at work to plan for this and made the motion to allow the company to begin set-up.

Commissioner Janet Hamner seconded it. Mayor Pro-Tem Kevin Caudill said he is not crazy about closing any streets but sees no other option.

Louis cast the only dissenting vote. "I am not in favor of closing any city streets for 15-16 months," she said.

Young’s building getting a facelift (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_164122312.html)
C.I.T.Y. grant used in London downtown renovation; date set for London Downtown Living tour
By Brad Hicks, Times Tribune, June 12, 2008

The London Downtown Board learned about future plans for the newly-purchased Young’s building on Main Street during Tuesday’s board meeting.

Liza Ryser Joyner, one of the building’s co-owners, told board members that crews are currently renovating the building — thanks in part to some grant money — to house retail shops.

“It will be just suites businesses can rent,” she said.

There has already been interest in renting some of the building’s space. Joyner’s brother, Rocky Ryser, has rented space in the downstairs area of the building, which faces Broad Street, for his business, Ryser Financial Group. Downstairs will also house a full-time receptionist, conference room, kitchen area and equipment for presentations. Joyner said there is still approximately 3,000 square feet downstairs not yet rented.

The Saint Joseph London Human Resources Department and others have signed two-year lease agreements to rent about half of the available upstairs area facing Main Street, and Joyner has plans for the remaining space.

“Our hope is to get retail shops on the left hand side,” she said.

An approximate 1,000-square-foot upstairs loft is also currently under lease by Saint Joseph London, but when the lease expires, Joyner said it will likely be converted into a downtown living area.

In May, London was awarded a $2,000 grant through the Community Initiatives in Tourism for You (C.I.T.Y.) program to renovate the building, with work expected to be completed by the first of August.

“I’m just ready for it to be over, but I’m enjoying it,” she said.

Downtown Board members spoke positively about Joyner’s undertaking.

“I really salute you all for making a long-term financial investment, because it’s going to be a long-term financial investment,” Warren Scoville said.

The Downtown Board is also considering a historical walking tour of downtown buildings. Mosley said she was approached about the idea about six months ago by Joyce Loveless. Mosley asked Loveless to do some research on the downtown area for a possible tour.

“Well guess what? She did,” Mosley said.

Mosley said research showed there were once 54 thriving retail businesses downtown from just 9th to 5th streets. In 2004, there were eight.

“Obviously, that’s a problem statement there,” Mosley said. “This is a growing trend throughout downtowns in the United States.”

Mosley is considering a walking tour with marked cobblestones in front of downtown buildings listing the businesses that had once been there.

“This would generate a walking tour and highlight historical buildings and preserve them,” she said.

The board approved a motion for members to begin gathering information on businesses and possible fundraising options for the project.

Also discussed was the upcoming London Downtown Living Tour, set for 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 19. The tour will highlight upper-story living spaces in downtown buildings.

“There are some hidden gems downtown you all don’t know about,” Mosley said. “It’s just interesting to come and tour the upper-story loft apartments.”

Prior to the London Downtown Board Meeting, a committee met to discuss transportation — in particular, the issue of parking downtown. Mosley has gotten complaints about the lack of parking available near businesses, with much of the problem caused by employees parking along Main Street in front of stores.

The transportation committee is gathering information and will present a report and recommendations to the London City Council.

Scoville said one remedy may be allowing public use of parking garage spaces reserved for businesses.

“There are so many spaces alloted to businesses that are never used,” he said.

He also said Mayor Troy Rudder is aware of the situation and wants to be part of the solution.

Buddy Westbrook said the issue is not being reviewed to penalize employees who park in front of the businesses, but rather to help the business along Main Street. He said each parking spot in front of a store equates to about $300 a day for a business.

“If 10 parking spots are taken up, that’s $3,000 a day lost to our merchants,” he said.

Fountain should be flowing soon (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_164192435.html)
By Tim Preston, Daily Independent, June 12, 2008

ASHLAND — Delayed by weeks of wet weather, the new fountain at Ashland’s Library Commons will be splashing soon.

“It depends on the weather,” said city employee Jim Nichols as he watched concrete artisans apply the first drops of a walnut-colored acid stain to the compass points cut into the fountain’s surface. “We hope it will be within the next week or so.”

Supervising the finishing touches to the concrete, Dave Sparks, of Decorative Concrete of the Tri-State, explained the stain being used causes a chemical reaction with the limestone in the fountain’s concrete, providing a permanent color which will be sealed with several coats of a clear finish.

The fountain’s concrete work, and the type of finish applied, are not common in this area, Sparks said.

“You see a lot of this in California and Nevada, particularly in Las Vegas,” Sparks added, later giving credit to concrete worker Chris Lawson’s expertise in sawing the compass design into the structure and noting, “I can’t find a flaw in it anywhere.”

City employees tested the fountain’s nozzles and drains before the stain work began. Nichols said the Library Commons fountain, which is between the library and the tennis courts at Central park, has a multitude of options for daily use.

“It is fully programmable,” he said, describing the inner workings of the fountain’s plumbing and the option to swap spray nozzles as well as program the sequence, patterns and duration of water released from each spray head.

“We’ve learned a lot about fountains in the last year,” Nichols said with a chuckle. “It has not yet been decided which way we’ll have it spray.

“This has really been a group effort,” Nichols said, explaining the fountain has been the focus of efforts by employees of the city’s parks, streets, engineering and water departments, as well as the finance department.

Yay! Some stupid neighbours "tire of the smell" so that is an excuse to demolish a historic property? :ohno:

Neighbors tire of the smell (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3933922)
By John Zambenini, State Journal, June 12, 2008

The city of Frankfort is investigating the cost of demolishing three condemned structures on a lot on West Third Street.

The vacant house at 311 West Third has a carriage house behind it, along with a small log cabin, age unknown, city officials say.

The owner, Annette Shuntich, of Cocoa Beach, Fla., will be held responsible for the costs of demolition, said Gary Muller, director of Frankfort's Department of Planning and Building Codes.

The building's condemnation was renewed in January of this year.

The lowest current demolition bid is $21,800, Muller said. The 2008 Property Valuation Administrator's assessment is $115,000.

If the demolition fee is not paid within 30 days, Muller said, the city would place a lien on the property.
Shuntich, originally from London, England, said she suspected the property has historical merit and she's trying to save the buildings. Shuntich said she believed the cabin was a servant, slave or "horse boy" house.

Shuntich, a real estate agent, said she's had personal setbacks in restoration. She said she worked on the property in the past.

"It's just hard when you are not there," Shuntich told The State Journal in a telephone interview today.
"When I was there, we'd have Christmas parties, all the poor as well as the wealthy, and we'd have cider and Bible studies." Shuntich said she's open to any potential buyers.

Muller said he is unsure of the cabin's age, but said all three structures on the property are "very old."
Littered on the porch of the main house are water-damaged college textbooks, a tattered copy of a Sue Grafton mystery N is for Nose and debris.

Inside the house, broken pieces of drywall obstruct entry for all but the most enterprising building inspectors.

Doors and windows to the carriage house are open, revealing sagging floorboards and children's toys strewn about. "This is our family" is written on a wall above photos.

The smell of urine emanates from the structure, which neighbors say vagrants inhabited on and off.
Muller confirmed transients had used one room in the carriage house as a toilet. Muller also said someone lived in the cabin through the winter with no water or electricity.

Though the log cabin isn't much more than a few dozen square feet, a makeshift bed rests near a stone fireplace beneath advertisements for perfume and photos of fashion models cut from magazines and pasted to the wall.

Neighbors say the dilapidated buildings are odiferous, particularly when it's hot outside.

Muller said the building's state of disrepair has been prohibitive for potential restorers. "It was a beautiful home," Mueller said.

While not much is known about the historical significance of the cabin or the carriage house, Muller said the main structure's architectural merit is dubious.

"From my recollection, there wasn't architectural significance to the main structure," Muller said.
Muller said the Planning and Zoning Commission has gone so far as to bring prospective buyers to the owner, but the parties could not agree on a price.

"We truly went out of our way," Muller said.

"I need to be up there, really, to manage the construction," Shuntich said.

Shuntich said she loves her Frankfort neighbors, "but I know it's been a huge eyesore for them."

While city commissioners requested information about the possibility of demolishing the main residence and the carriage house and leaving the log cabin, Muller said they'd likely recommend all three structures be torn down.

"You can't save them all, unfortunately," Muller said.

Wrecking ball aimed at smelly South Frankfort buildings (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3957541)
By John Zambenini, State Journal, June 17, 2008

The fate of a condemned house, carriage house and log cabin on a South Frankfort lot hangs in the balance as the city prepares to proceed with condemnation and the wrecking ball.

City staff said the fate of those three structures at 311 W. Third St., in Frankfort's historic Capitol District, is on the agenda for Monday's city commission meeting.

Annette Shuntich, of Cocoa Beach, Fla., holds the deed, but a local bank alleged she defaulted on the mortgage and sued her. Meanwhile, she's trying to sell it and claims she has a buyer. It's assessed for taxes at $115,000.

At an April city commission meeting, irate neighbors pleaded with officials to tear the dilapidated buildings down, complaining the houses smelled and were a neighborhood eyesore.

Frankfort's Architectural Review Board asked for more time to determine the historical merit of the buildings before officials voted to demolish them.

While commissioners allowed a temporary stay of execution, the planning and building codes office sought bids for the demolition of some or all three structures.

Gary Muller, director of the Department of Planning and Building Codes, said the age of the house and carriage house are unknown and that the log cabin is "very old," although its exact age is uncertain.

Muller said the architectural merit of the structures was not significant and he expected the Architectural Review Board to recommend the demolition of all three buildings.

City staff said vagrants have been living in the buildings periodically and they used one room in the carriage house as a toilet.

But, Shuntich, who is from London, England, said she may have found a potential buyer. "He firmly believes in the heritage of the property," Shuntich told The State Journal Monday.

"If I can save it, I'd like to," Shuntich said.

Shuntich said she hopes the houses could become Frankfort icons, but admitted the restoration of the property would be "a massive undertaking."

"It's not a house that's going to make you a ton of money," Shuntich said.

Shuntich said she hoped to close on the property in three or four weeks.

While Shuntich has hopes the property could be bought and renovated, Farmers Bank and Capital Trust Company sued Shuntich and her ex-husband, Douglas Shuntich, for a $101,494.42 judgment on the property in February.

The 25-year mortgage obtained by Shuntich in January 1997 for $120,000 is now in default, court documents said.

Attorney Geoffrey Greenawalt, who represents Farmer's Bank and Capital Trust Company in the suit, said the City's potential demolition of the property has no affect on the bank's plans to proceed with the suit.

Court documents also said $3,015.35 in back taxes are owed on the property to the City of Frankfort and Franklin County.

The suit asks for a court-ordered sale of the property, court documents said.

Owensboro hotel sold (http://www.kentucky.com/779/story/438885.html)
Messenger Inquirer, June 19, 2008

OWENSBORO, Ky. --
A western Kentucky newspaper says Owensboro's largest hotel has apparently been sold to a development group.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports the group, TAI Development, apparently signed an agreement Thursday to purchase the Executive Inn Rivermont. The 550-room hotel abruptly closed earlier this month when the property was sold to Marshall Investments of Minneapolis.

The closure had left the Owensboro business community scrambling to salvage plans for events scheduled at the hotel.

The newspaper reports several members of the Owensboro business community confirmed the purchase agreement had been signed, but local officials had received little information about TAI Development, the purchase price, or its plans.

The newspaper says an Evansville, Ind., businesswoman, Mary K. Hukill, is frontperson for TAI Development. Hukill owns Ohio River Boat Cruises, a sightseeing business in Evansville.

Delay in Murray State building construction raises cost (http://www.kentucky.com/779/story/438141.html)
Paducah Sun, June 19, 2008

MURRAY, Ky. --
Officials say an eight-month delay in the construction of a new chemistry building at Murray State University has increased the cost by more than $1.6 million.

Construction stopped last fall when the project ran out of money because the General Assembly failed to reauthorize $15 million that had been approved in 2006.

MSU President Randy Dunn says most of the increase covers higher prices for construction materials. About $150,000 is to pay the costs associated with starting and stopping the project.

The building, originally scheduled to be completed this summer, is now expected to be completed next March.

Old mansion often left to its ghosts (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3957482)
By Paul Glasser, State Journal, June 17, 2008

If the Old Governor's Mansion on High Street becomes a guesthouse, visitors may be sharing their accommodations with the ghosts of several former residents.

Stephen Collins, son of former Gov. Martha Layne Collins, said according to legend, the Old Governor's Mansion is haunted. Collins is also chairman of the Historic Properties Advisory Commission and its members have discussed the possibility of using the mansion as a guesthouse.

Collins lived in the mansion with his mother while she was lieutenant governor between 1979 and 1983. According to legend, Margaret Robinson Robertson, the mother-in-law of Gov. Robert Letcher who held office from 1840-1844, still haunts the mansion.

Robertson moved in with her son-in-law after she was injured in a buggy accident that also killed her husband. She lived in the dining room on the first floor and Collins said she pledged to return after Letcher left office in 1844.

"They say if ever evil is about to befall the walls of the mansion, the ghost of Mrs. Robertson will return and the evil spirits will disappear," Collins said.

Gov. Christopher Greenup, who served from 1804-1808, held the first inaugural ball for his wife, Mary Catherine Pope Greenup. She died in 1807, and according to legend, her ghost walks the halls at night carrying a candle, Collins said.

However, during his four years there, Collins said he never saw any ghosts.

The advisory council met earlier this year to discuss ways to get more use out of the Old Governor's Mansion. It's open for tours from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but only a handful of guests visit each week.

The mansion is available for small meetings and luncheons in the dining room for $75. It can also accommodate a wedding, birthday party or anniversary celebration, starting at a flat fee of $150 up to $500 for a four-hour block.

Because the mansion is not always open to the public, David Buchta, director of historic properties, said many aren't aware of what services are offered.

"All these things were put here for people to appreciate," he said. "We didn't try to create anything private."

Jill Midkiff, a spokeswoman for the Finance and Administration Cabinet, said she had her senior prom reception at the old mansion. She is a graduate of Western Hills High School.

One of the main attractions is the garden on the west side of the mansion, Buchta said. The garden features 10 large wooden trellises constructed from eastern red cedar and curved benches. The landscape includes many native Kentucky plants including sugar maple, black gum, hemlock, dogwood, sumac and rhododendron.

An iron fence that includes a rosette design surrounds the garden. A circular fountain is the centerpiece of the overall landscape design.

A gate connects the mansion to the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History and Buchta said it's a convenient arrangement for wedding receptions.

Collins said the mansion also helped ensure Frankfort would remain the center of state government.
Completed in 1798 at a cost of $12,000, the mansion was built in the Federal style. Collins said the legislature decided to build the mansion because it would be cheaper to maintain instead of renting property.

The mansion also gave stability to the new government, Collins said. Bills were frequently introduced to move the Capitol to another city, like Lexington, Louisville, or Danville, he said.

"There was a lot of banter back and forth," Collins said. "It came up just about every session."

Thirty-three governors lived in the mansion between 1798 and 1914 and seven U.S. Presidents were received as guests including William Henry Harrison, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Zachary Taylor, Andrew Jackson, William Howard Taft and James Monroe.

Other notable guests include William Jennings Bryan and Henry Clay.

The mansion also housed the headquarters and barracks of the Highway Patrol, later to become the Kentucky State Police, during the 1930s and 40s. Collins said it was in danger of being torn down to create a parking lot but was saved by Gov. Simeon Willis in 1946.

The gold and pearl pen he used to sign the order restoring the mansion as an official residence for the lieutenant governor is on display at the mansion. The lieutenant governor lived there between 1956 and 2002 and Lt. Gov. Steve Henry was the last official resident.

Kentucky was one of only three states to provide a residence for the lieutenant governor, who now receives a housing allowance.

Collins said he enjoyed living in the mansion and would sometimes run into tour groups when he came downstairs. Even if he was on the way out, Collins said he would stop and shake hands with the visitors.

Collins said he remembered when residents would stop at the mansion to trick or treat and sing Christmas carols. Other events included a Halloween party and a beach party in the courtyard.
"The mansion was always a real big part of the Capital City," he said.

The mansion also contains historic furniture, official portraits and other artifacts. Buchta said the sideboard in the dining room is one of the most valuable pieces in the state's inventory.

Built in Maysville in about 1810, Buchta said it's insured for about $85,000.

House, log cabin will be demolished (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3989852)
By John Zambenini, State Journal, June 24, 2008

The City Commission voted unanimously Monday to demolisha condemned houseand log cabin in South Frankfort but spared athird structure on the lot in hopes it can be saved.

Commissioners votedto have the main structure anda log cabin at 311 West Third St. torn down afterneighbors complained of the smell and deterioration and planning and zoning officials deemed them not fit to live in.

Commissioner Rodney Williams moved that the potentially historically significant carriage house on the property be spared the wrecking ball.

Director of Planning and Zoning Gary Muller said the carriage house would still need to be boarded up to preventvagrants from using it.

Williams acknowledged the possibility that the carriage house would need to be torn down in the near future but said he hoped the demolition could put a new face on the property for potential buyers.

One citizen who spoke on behalf of neighbors of the dilapidated homes asked that all three structures be demolished. "They could probably bottle this and bring it around so you could smell it," he said of the carriage house's pungent odor.

Muller previously told The State Journal vagrants had lived in the carriage house and used one room as a toilet.

Roger Stapleton, chairman of the Architectural Review Board, said he was grateful for more time in determining the possibility of restoration for the carriage house, calling it "an important piece of Frankfort's streetscape."

Stapleton said the overwhelming cost of restoring the main structure had likely prohibited buyers from taking a closer look.

Hopefully, Stapleton said, the partial demolition would "give investors a new look at the property."

Bids open for city police station (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_178234322.html)
City Manager Steve Corbitt: ‘There are lots of options’
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, June 26, 2008

ASHLAND — The city’s plans to build a new home for the Ashland Police Department were given another challenge Wednesday when bids for construction came in over budget.

According to City Manager Steve Corbitt, the lowest bid was approximately $500,000 above the engineering estimates. City commissioners have authorized up to $4.5 million for the project but that figure also includes architectural fees and furnishings.

“I was hoping $4 million to $4.3 million,” Corbitt said.

Neighborgall Construction Company of Huntington appeared to be the low-bidder Tuesday. The company submitted a $4,799,000 bid for construction of the entire project.

Companies were also required to submit three alternatives as part of the package. They included: The Sally Port, first floor bullet-proof windows and second-floor bullet-proof windows.

Corbitt said while the project estimates were higher than anticipated, there are lots of options on how the city could move forward. Additional funds could be secured through bonds, a local borrowing agreement or through donations and grants, Corbitt said. “There are all kinds of options to get the money,” he said.

Another alternative is to redesign the building or add additional alternatives, he said.

The current design of the building is already significantly different than when the process started because of the projected costs and budget restraints.

Plans changed from an elevated single-story building with enclosed parking underneath to a two-story building with a sally port for police vehicles and outdoor parking. The building’s overall size was also reduced from approximately 21,000 square feet to about 17,000 square feet but engineers designed it to allow for future expansion.

Ashland Police Chief Rob Ratliff and architects from Brandstetter Carroll Inc. will be reviewing the bids and are expected to make a recommendation to the Ashland Board of City Commissioners next Tuesday.

Two other companies also submitted bids for the project. They included: Venture One Construction of Cincinnati and CTB Inc., of Catlettsburg also submitted bids.

SPLISH, SPLASH (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_178234108.html)
Library Commons open for enjoyment
By Mike James, The Independent, June 26, 2008

ASHLAND — The Library Commons opened with a splash Thursday.

The splash came when city workers turned on the water in the centerpiece interactive fountain, seconds after Mayor Steve Gilmore stepped away from a podium in its center.

Summer school students from nearby Crabbe Elementary School romped in the fountain while city and library officials and staffers mingled on the commons, an expanse of winding walkways among newly planted trees and shrubs. Benches and tables invite patrons and parkgoers to relax with a book or a lunch.

“It’s the perfect addition from the park to the library,” said library director Debbie Cosper.

The commons is a joint project of the library and the city park board and has been a part of the park’s master plan for close to two decades. Work began in 2006 on the commons, designed as a transition between the library reading garden and the park.

The city provided labor and materials while the library kicked in some funding.

“It has exceeded what I had hoped for,” exulted Gilmore, a longtime member of the park board who pushed to get the commons completed before he leaves office in July to take over as Ashland superintendent of schools. “It’s a wonderful addition to the park, a place to sit, contemplate, read and relax.”

Cosper said one of the first things she noticed about Central Park when she first came to Ashland was its relative lack of places to sit and relax. “Now we have a place to sit ... It’s a people place.”

Also jubilant was landscape architect Kim Jenkins, who designed the commons. “It couldn’t have turned out any better,” she said, watching the children splash about in the fountain.

Jenkins designed the fountain to be interactive. Rather than a raised pool of water, the fountain is more like a rounded extension of the walkway, with a smooth surface patterned into a compass rose. Jets of water squirt intermittently around the perimeter.

The nozzles are fully programmable, and can be set up to spray in sequence, but on Thursday they were set to jet on and off at random, making it a game for children and risky for adults such as Gilmore, who ventured back in clad in his business suit.

“It’s not just to look at, it’s to experience. That’s what makes it interactive,” Jenkins said.

“It was nice to let us run in it and it was so fun to be in that fountain,” said 10-year-old Brandon McClave, one of the Crabbe students.

seicer,
I haven't said this lately, so now's a good time: Thanks for all the informative posts on this thread!!

I'm still in shock over the Big E in Owensboro. I have heard some local chatter that a lady w/ a less than successful track record from Evansville is buying the property and plans to demo the hotel and divide into tracks for development. I guess it could be a new beginning, but it will be strange to see a building that large reduced to ruble...

I always assumed Paducah's would be gone first. New owner's about 2 yrs ago talked about the millions they were going to invest; but to date, only an addition to the convention center has materialized. However, I must say that the new addition is impressive. News from the last few weeks are that plans for the hotel (maybe sold again???) are to split it into two seperate hotels - one a Crowne Plaza hotel and the other would be a less expensive chain along the lines of Hampton or Holiday Inn (Drury already has a big presence in the area). They are desperately trying to keep the AQS (American Quilters Society) Convention for 2009 - we all know that would be a huge blow to the Paducah economy if lost. If I remember correctly, this is the largest convention in Ky, and the 3rd largest event (State Fair, Derby) and has about $15-20 (?) million impact on Paducah (~50,000 metro population).

I have put my thoughts about the property on Abandoned's main page (http://www.abandonedonline.net/index.php). There are several articles from the series posted there.

Eyesores are coming down (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/4034782)
By John Zambenini, State Journal, July 3, 2008

A homeless man tried to doze in his makeshift bed in a tiny log cabin destined for destruction as the clanging of hammers and saws shattered the peaceful ambiance of historic South Frankfort.

Demolition began Wednesday on the house and log cabin at 311 W. Third St., property long plagued by defaulted mortgages, tax liens, lawsuits, condemnation, vagrants, public debate and even a fire.

Neighbors complained at City Commission meetings that vagrants were squatting on the property. Planning and zoning officials said the carriage house had been used as a toilet. There was talk of a terrible smell.

Commissioners voted June 23 to tear down the main house and log cabin, acknowledging the possibility a carriage house behind the main structure was historic and could be spared.

Even as demolition began, construction officials stumbled on a man who identified himself as Sam Richards and is known by construction workers as "Sh---y Bill." He was dozing in the one-room cabin, soon to be dismantled.

Tony Baute, who owns River City Commercial Services, the company tearing down the structures, said he opened the door of the log cabin Wednesday morning and startled Richards.

Richards said he's been staying on a makeshift bed made of couch cushions covered in a thin blanket since last June.

Richards, said he spends most of his days at a homeless shelter on West Second Street, adding that he didn't know where he'd go. Construction workers said he has one more night before the cabin is torn down.

Richards said he might to try to stay with relatives in South Frankfort. "My mom lives over on Murray Street."

Baute said it's time for the buildings to go.

The property needs extensive renovation, Baute said. His company was originally contracted by the lot's owner, Annette Shuntich, of Cocoa Beach, Fla.

The main house alone needed about $300,000 worth of work to restore it, Baute said.

Baute said he would have torn the back third off the house and started from scratch due to extensive damage from a leaky roof and a fire years ago.

"When you do that much renovation, it's not historical anymore," Baute said.

Alan Salley, who works for Baute, said workers are in the process of salvaging parts of the building before it is razed early next week.

Sally also said the porch, which was not original, will be torn off the carriage house before it is boarded up.

Baute said the vinyl siding will be salvaged as well as the home's floating staircase.

"It's one of the few true floating staircases in Franklin County," Baute said.

Before commissioners voted to tear down the structures, Shuntich said she had lined up a potential buyer from England, her country of origin. For now, Baute said, pointing at a foam mattress on the second floor of the main house, the place has become "a flop house for druggies and bums."

Commissioners acknowledged at the time of the vote the demolition was a temporary salve to the smelly and vagrant-inhabited lot bothering neighbors.

Commissioner Rodney Williams said he hoped the demolition could put a new face on the property for potential buyers.

Roger Stapleton, chairman of the Architectural Review Board, called the house an important part of Frankfort's streetscape.

Hopefully, Stapleton said, the partial demolition would "give investors a new look at the property."

"We hate to do it," Salley said. "But it'd cost too much to save it."

$150,000 to develop riverfront (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/4051561)
By Paul Glasser, State-Journal, July 8, 2008

A state grant of up to $150,000 will help launch the effort to develop the Kentucky River into an asset for Frankfort and Franklin County, local officials say.

"I do not believe there is anything that could happen in this community that would bring more value to the community than the riverfront," said Joy Jeffries, executive director of the Frankfort/Franklin County Tourist Commission.

First lady Jane Beshear announced the grant on Monday at a press conference in Bellpoint at the Lock Master House near lock 4. The funds will come from the Land Acquisition Account, which is managed by the Finance and Administration Cabinet and has been used in the past decade to purchase several riverfront parcels in the Frankfort area.

Beshear said the grant will help fund a study to encourage development along a four-mile stretch of the Kentucky River between the Julian Carroll Bridge and Buffalo Trace Distillery that cuts through the heart of the city.

She said she hopes the plan will include hiking and biking trials as well as picnic areas.

"The Kentucky River provides a beautiful backdrop for hiking and biking trails throughout the heart of the capital city," she said.

Rodney Simpson, chair of the Riverfront Development Steering Committee, said there'll be public forums for input and comments. There will also soon be several announcements concerning participation by private enterprise, he said.

"It's going to be very exciting," Simpson said. "This will be something everyone can be very proud of."
CBA development consultants will conduct the study and the team will include, engineers, marketing experts and historic preservation specialists.

Jeffries said maintaining Frankfort's historic character during the development process is important.

"We are a historic city and that's what makes us who we are," she said. "To go any other direction would be very detrimental."

Simpson said the development plan will focus on improving access to the Kentucky River because it's now difficult to even find a boat to rent or lease for a trip.

"A lot of people who come to Frankfort don't even know the river is here," Simpson said. "We want to bring it out where it can be enjoyed by anyone who wants to."

Frankfort Mayor Bill May said the project will benefit both residents and visitors.

Harry "Gippy" Graham is a member of the steering committee and said a revitalized riverfront could be an anchor for Broadway and downtown shops.

"I think this is one of the most important things we have done in our community for a number of years," he said.

Steve Reeder, executive director of the Kentucky River Authority, said his organization is strongly committed to riverfront development.

However, it will also be important to use more than $17 million appropriated by the legislature to repair the locks and dams along the Kentucky River, including lock 4, which was built in 1841.

A number of other local officials were on hand Monday to show support, including Franklin County Judge-Executive Ted Collins, magistrates Phil Kring and Don Sturgeon, city commissioners Kathy Carter and Doug Howard and Rep. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort.

Business, housing development proposed in downtown La Grange
By Andrea Uhde, Courier-Journal, July 9, 2008

A block of downtown La Grange where a small skate park sits could become a bustling business and living quarters, if a group working to revitalize the area gets its way.

Bill Lammlein of Discover Downtown La Grange proposed the idea to City Council members Monday, saying his group was in serious talks with a developer.

He showed them sketches of several buildings, some of which were two stories with residences on the second floor, and he asked officials to consider allowing a development on the property, which the city owns.

The Council’s Vision Committee plans to meet with Discover Downtown La Grange members to discuss the concept.

$150,000 to develop riverfront (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/4051561)
By Paul Glasser, State-Journal, July 8, 2008

A state grant of up to $150,000 will help launch the effort to develop the Kentucky River into an asset for Frankfort and Franklin County, local officials say.



This is a great idea. I think this will work excellent in the downtown part of town. Plus, they have always needed to do something with the river there by the capital. Everything is so beautiful above the river, but the river itself looks like it has never been cleaned up. I am really glad to see them incorporating the river more into that town.

Well, look at the Capitol Plaza development (wasn't this a Webb or Wilkinson development, per chance?). Dense structures that are totally cut-off from the city. Vast underground passages once held a mini-mall -- that while successful for a few years after opening in the 1970s, lost its novelty quite quickly. I'm not for sure what is exactly in there now, but it was pretty much vacant and derelict just a few years ago.

The beautiful flowers and planters that make up a lot of the development are not visible, either. Lush, colorful vegetation that few get to see. Cars pass under the plaza without seeing any of this, along with the pedestrians. Stair steps lead to the top, but its wholly a negative influence on the streetscape.

The plaza cover over the roadways was a novel feature for their day, keeping what developers envisioned off of the streets -- a crowd. Conventions and hotels would fill up, to their projections, and what better way than with a huge plaza that was beautiful? Too bad this all but killed the streetscape.

As a result, the plaza is all but unseen. The hotel has occupancy issues. The mall is dead. The underground features are kind of creepy and neglected. The riverfront park was therefore separated from the remainder of the city -- downtown, the courthouse, the residential district and so on. The park was also never finished -- if I recall the original plans, was it not to stretch further upstream towards the distillery? I did a lot of photography of Frankfort and in the park, specifically, and found very few people actually in the park.

This is much needed.

New Midway development gets OK (http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/458045.html)
By Greg Kocher, Herald-Leader, July 10, 2008

VERSAILLES — A mixed-use development with more than 600 residential units, a hotel, a winery and walking trails was recommended Thursday night for approval by Woodford County's planning commission.

The commission voted 6-0 to recommend the rezoning to Midway City Council, which will have a final say and vote on the matter at a later, as-yet-unscheduled date.

The proposal from Lexington developer Dennis Anderson would pack more than 600 single-family houses and townhouse units onto 150 acres at Midway Station Commerce Park. The park, formerly known as the Homeplace Farm, is on the northeast corner of Interstate 64 and Ky. 341, and most of its land is zoned for light-industrial uses.

Critics had said the development would double the population of Midway, where the 2000 U.S. Census counted 1,620 residents.

To soften those concerns, planning commissioner Jim Hume's motion proposed “that no more than 50 permits for residential units shall be issued in any calendar year.” Testimony taken during a May hearing indicated that it would take 12 years to build all the proposed residential units.

“This will provide substantial opportunity for the development to grow without the prospect of perceived overburden on the surrounding region's traffic, utilities or population,” Hume said.

Anderson, who developed Townley Centre off Leestown Road and New Circle Road in Lexington, said he was “ambivalent” about the recommendation.

“It's going to affect the development plan,” Anderson said. “We want to work with it. We'll put up every effort to try to make it work.”

Hank Graddy, the attorney for the Woodford Coalition, an organization of neighborhood groups that monitor growth, said “this is a very bad planning decision for the planning commission to make.”

“The next stage is to go to the city of Midway and to ask them to hear from the public and to dispel some of the factual errors” in Hume's motion, Graddy said.

For example, “to say that there was testimony that there was adequate fire service — that's the opposite of the testimony,” Graddy said. “The testimony was that there is a volunteer fire department and no provision had been made to provide services.”

See above for an update to Midway's sprawling development.

Williamsburg unveils design of city hall (http://www.thetimestribune.com/local/local_story_192082052.html)
By Sean Bailey, Times Tribune, July 10, 2008

During Wednesday’s Williamsburg City Council meeting, residents got their first peek at what the new city hall might look like — and a possible date for its completion.

Architectural firm Murphy Graves projects the new city hall will cost about $1.5 million, and construction management company Codell Construction estimates a completion date of May 15, 2009.

The new city hall, which will be built at the corner of Fifth and Main streets, will be nearly double the square-footage of the old building that will eventually be demolished to make way for the new Whitley County Judicial Center.

The new city hall will have space available for the mayor, police department, city clerk, and a city council chamber for the council’s monthly meetings. Chuck Trimble, one of the architects from Murphy Graves, said the current layout of the city hall wasn’t the first considered, nor was it the second, or third...

“This is not the first rendition of the floor plan. It’s been about the fifth or sixth, but it’s been a good process ...we’ve been working closely with everyone at city hall to meet their needs,” Trimble said.

One of the many suggestions that recently changed the floor plan was expanding the area for police evidence storage and adding a shower for city employees. Trimble said there is room to make more, smaller changes, but if the council approved the floor plans now, bids for construction could be completed by mid-August.

Trimble also brought up the option of heating and cooling the new city hall by using geothermal wells.

The wells, which reach deep into the ground, use the earth’s heat to regulate the temperature of buildings. Twelve of them would be drilled into the new building’s parking lot to heat and cool the building.

Geothermal wells are considered a “green” alternative to regular heating and air conditioning because they use far less fossil fuels — which is not only better for the planet, but also for the city’s pocket book.

“It would cost $40 or $50 a square foot more for the building, but in something like seven to eight years, the savings in heating and cooling for the building will payback that extra price,” Trimble said.

The cost of the wells are already figured into the $1.5 million estimate, according to Trimble. The only hitch to the plan is that the city would have to pay $7,000 to $9,000 to dig a well before construction begins to ensure the building’s location is conducive to geothermal warming, though Trimble said preliminary studies show the new city hall would be at a prime location.

“I like the idea of going green, so to speak,” Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison said.

The council voted to allow a test well to be drilled before construction begins.

The city also entered into an agreement with Codell Construction to organize and oversee the construction of the new building. Jim Codell, president of Codell Construction, said the 100-year-old, family-owned business will save the city money normally lost by hiring several different firms to work on the same building.

Codell said some of those construction firms only have monthly inspections of the work site, while Codell has a daily presence at the site. By bidding out the various construction materials and services, Codell will also be using mostly local businesses.

Codell’s services will cost the city approximately $120,000, which has also been figured into the overall $1.5 million cost to the city.

The changing face of downtown (http://www.richmondregister.com/localnews/local_story_194162054.html)
Businesses continue to come and go
By Bill Robinson, Richmond Register, July 12, 2008

In recent weeks, downtown Richmond gained one restaurant and lost two.

The Paddy Wagon Irish Pub has opened in a new building at the corner of Main Street and Madison Avenue more that a year after its previous Main Street location was destroyed in a fire.

On the down side, two other Main Street eateries, Woody’s in the Glyndon Hotel and The Bistro, went out of business.

Main Street also lost two retails shops this summer for non-business reasons, said Rita Smart, coordinator of the city’s Main Street Program.

“The Tassel and Toad closed because the owner’s husband was transferred,” she said. “The coin shop closed because the owner suffered a heart attack.”

There is some good news, however.

A dance studio has opened in the former location of Irene’s dress shop.

Smart also said the owner of downtown coffee shops in Danville, Nicholasville and Stanford has agreed to explore opening a coffee shop in Richmond.

Downtown had a coffee shop until Live Wire closed last year.

Late this month, Madison Bank plans to open a downtown branch in a restored historic building. In August, restoration of an adjacent historic building should be complete, providing two loft apartments and street-level retail space.

Design of the bank’s facade and interior was approved by the Kentucky Heritage Council as authentically reproducing the appearance of a small-town Kentucky bank in about 1890, said Bill Walters, president of the bank.

“Entering our downtown branch should be like stepping more than a century back in time,” he said.

On the bank’s First Street side, developers Ed Worley and Mike Eaves hope to have restoration of another historic three-story building completed in about a month.

“The building will have two loft apartments that look out at Main Street and the Courthouse Square,” Worley said. “We hope to have a retail business lease the street-level floor.”

Worley said he and Eaves want to replicate their successful renovation of another historic building in the 100 block of East Main. It has a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop in the ground floor with two apartments on the upper floors.

A mix of retail and residential space brings vitality to a downtown, he said.

“Renovating buildings that are more than a century old is a challenge,” Worley said. “Crumbling bricks and mortar have to be reinforced. Floor joists and roofs have to be replaced.”

The developers could be investing their money in Lexington, “where rents are at least 60 percent higher,” Worley said, “but Richmond is where we live. We want to see its downtown thrive and become a destination for people in the region.”

No matter how a city’s periphery is developed, the world’s opinion of a city is based on its downtown, he said.

Worley said he and Eaves are working on some even bigger plans for downtown, in the 100 block of North First Street.

“If everything comes together, we hope to have to announce a First Street development that could help transform downtown Richmond,” Worley said.

Before seeking site plan and design approvals from the city’s planning commission and architecture review board, “We will disclose our plans to the public through the news media,” he said.

While the developers are seeking to buy all property on the block except the Madison Family Court building, including T. Bombadil’s, they were not behind the move to rewrite the city’s nuisance ordinance to limit noise from outdoor entertainment venues, said Worley and Eaves.

“We’d like to buy that building, but we’re not trying to force T. Bombs out of business,” Worley said.

A colleague in Eaves’ law firm, David Bohannon, represented T. Bombs in opposition to revising the ordinance when the city commission heard its first reading July 8.

The proposal was tabled for further revision.

“We’re both against changing the ordinance,” Worley said. “I too may speak against it when it comes before the city commission again.”

Other changes

Three downtown intersections got a new look last week.

The city contracted with Architectural Paving Concepts of Henry County to create the appearance of brick crosswalks on the intersections of Main Street with Madison Avenue and First and Second streets.

The process cuts a brick-like grid into the asphalt using a steel template and a tamping machine.

After the asphalt is heated with an infrared gun, it is covered with brick-colored cementacious coating, said Bob Dyer, owner of the paving firm.

The $10,000 project was done to enhance safety as well as appearance, said City Manager David Evans.

“It makes the crosswalks more visible to both motorists and pedestrians,” he said. “The coating creates a gritty surface that makes pedestrians less likely to slip and fall when the pavement is wet.”

“We’ve had some pretty close calls at those intersections,” Evans added.

Evans contacted Dyer at the urging of Richmond residents who had seen is work in other towns, he said.

Dyers said he and coated crosswalks in Shelbyville and other Kentucky cities seeking to revitalize their downtowns.

Cox Building may get a big boost from Uncle Sam (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/07/11/local_news/1124coxbuilding.txt)
By Marla Toncray, Ledger Independent, July 11, 2008

In what can only be described as a windfall of good fortune for the city of Maysville, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell's office announced Thursday more than $2 million has been requested in Senate appropriations for renovations of the historic Cox Building in downtown.

In a press release, McConnell announced his requests for $16.45 million in funding for several projects in Kentucky have been included in the Fiscal Year 2009 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration. After passage by the Senate, the bill will move to the House for approval and then back to the Senate for approval of any amendments to the bill. Once final passage in the Senate occurs, the bill will move to the president for signing.

"This funding will provide local communities with the money they need to upgrade several transportation and infrastructure projects," McConnell said. "Whether the money goes towards purchasing buses, creating bike paths or renovating our historic buildings, I will continue to use my seniority in the United States Senate to help bring home funding for important projects in my state."

Within McConnell's request is $2.7 million for the city of Maysville for the renovation of the Cox Building, which the city purchased in December, 2006, for $200,000 from Wayne and Diana Johnson with intentions to completely restore the building.

"By restoring this beautiful, historic building in downtown Maysville to its original grandeur, it can once again be a place the community can come to for the arts, commerce, and fostering small businesses," McConnell said.

"We're all very excited and it's a step in the right direction," said Renaissance and Tourism Director Duff Giffen.

"It wouldn't have happened without Senator McConnell going to bat for us," Giffen said.

The process of securing funds for restoration of the building have been ongoing since the city's purchase in 2006.

In October, 2007, the city received $150,000 in grant funds through the Renaissance on Main program administered by the Governor's Office for Local Development.

Those monies are being used for improvements and repairs to the facade of the building which include cleaning and tuckpointing of the bricks and roof repairs; facade work began in May.

Giffen said dialogue between city officials and McConnell about avenues of funding have been ongoing since McConnell's visit here in the summer of 2007. It was during that visit McConnell was shown a PowerPoint presentation which outlined the city's plans for restoration and use of the building, should the necessary funding of $3.5 million be secured.

In addition to McConnell's visit, Andrea Liptak, projects director for McConnell's office visited Maysville on July 2, was shown the same presentation and was given a tour of the building itself, Giffen said.

In January, 2008, city commissioners approved a resolution to apply for a Save America's Treasures grant for restoration of the Cox Building. The maximum amount awarded through the program is $1 million and the city has applied for the full amount and is awaiting an answer as to whether or not the application has been approved or denied.

In February, 2008, the city authorized a formal letter be sent to McConnell requesting funding for the Cox Building.

Giffen said within the body of the letter, the city had to outline its exact plan for restoration of the Cox Building and how the funds would be used. Because any appropriations will also be approved by Rep. Geoff Davis, a copy of the letter was also sent to his office for his consideration.

Within the plan, the first floor would include incubator business space for an entrepreneurial program and retail, which has historically been the use of the first floor. The second floor was historically used as storage space and office space; it would become studio and classroom space for Maysville's fine arts organizations. The third floor was historically used as a Masonic (Lodge) ritual space and would become an adjunct to the Maysville Conference Center for meeting and banquet space. The fourth and fifth floors would remain as they are now. An elevator would also be installed.

"We're trying to stay true to the (historic) integrity of the building," Giffen said.

Also within the letter was an outline of other funding avenues being explored, which included application for Save America's Treasures and working with the Buffalo Trace Area Development District on available grant programs.

Giffen said to date, the following progress has been made or is about to take place on the restoration project and this information was also included in the letter to McConnell and was provided to Liptak during her visit -- completion of an architectural as-builts, archeological assessment and engineering assessment; emergency roof repairs in the amount of $35,000; award of masonry contract for facade repairs; awarding a second contract for additional roof repairs and as of this week, city work crews have begun work on window repairs throughout the entire building and interior renovations of the first floor.

"We're trying to show we are going forward," Giffen said of the funding plan and progress report submitted for McConnell's consideration.

Giffen also pointed out an additional project has been undertaken by the city, in partnership with residents of Cox's Row on Market Street, to create a community courtyard in the area immediately behind the Cox building and their residences, further demonstrating the city's commitment to not only the restoration of the building itself but the community it resides in.

"This is very big for Maysville," Giffen said.

Sign of the times: Historic building coming down (http://www.somerset-kentucky.com/local/local_story_193193242.html)
By Bill Mardis, Commonwealth Journal, July 11, 2008

Somerset — “Nothing stays the same.”

A tinge of sadness was in Arthur Salutsky’s voice as he talked with a reporter about faded advertising signs on the east side of a building that housed his family’s business for more than three quarters of a century.

The signs have been there for about 50 years. The advertisements are billboard size, painted on a weatherworn brick wall.

The clock is ticking. The wrecking ball is poised to strike. The Salutsky’s building is one of several in the heart of downtown Somerset that will be razed to make way for a 77,000-square-foot judicial complex.

The signs were painted on the side of Salutsky’s Southern Mercantile by Joe Ashurst during the early or mid 1950s, according to Arthur Salutsky. Salutsky still has Anvil Brand Shoe Company note pads that his father, Rubin, gave to customers who bought a pair of overalls.

Calendars in the note pads are for the years 1954 and 1955. Salutsky thinks the signs were painted on the building about that time or before.

The signs face Zachary Way, an historical street already closed; blocked with a newly installed chain link fence. When the area reopens, it will be a public plaza fronting the new judicial building.

Zachary Way, more a paved alley than a street, extends from Fountain Square to Market Street. With a little imagination, the sound of the soon-to-swing wrecking ball could re-create the clicking of cue sticks in the shadowy pool halls that entertained thousands. Falling of broken bricks might mimic a background of laughter among cushioned billiard tables.

Zachary Way was the pulse of a vibrant downtown in early Somerset. It’s where we went to play.

The pool halls, serving the best hot dogs and chili in town, are gone. Zachary Way and the signs on Salutsky’s wall will soon disappear in the dust of progress. The crumbled wall will pave Memory Lane along with Somerset institutions like Hughes Department Store, Ben Franklin, and JJ Newberry Company, final vintage of the original 10-cent stores. Newberry’s had a “big city” type lunch counter, something locals bragged about.

Salutsky’s had its beginning in 1926 when Rubin Salutsky left Goodman, Miss., to find a new store location because his wife contracted malaria and doctors advised him to get her to an area with fewer mosquitoes.

“He looked at places in Indiana but he liked Somerset the best so he brought his store here,” recalls Arthur. Salutsky’s Southern Mercantile began business in March 1926.

The store building was remodeled in 1965 and sons Arthur and Charles continued operating the business after their father died. Eventually Southern Mercantile was dropped from the name and the business continued as Salutsky’s.

Salutsky’s clung to downtown when most retail businesses escaped to the truck route during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It remained open until July 2002.

Arthur and Charles Salutsky didn’t quit. They moved to the Lake Cumberland Flea Market where they continue to operate three booths.

Time refuses to stand still. Weddle Enterprises, the demolition contractor, expects to have the way cleared for the new judicial building by September 1.

No doubt, people will be proud of the new Hall of Justice. The space for judicial functions is needed. Nothing can stand in the face of progress, even if the heart of old downtown Somerset stops beating.

It’s a sign of the times.

Riverfront inches toward construction (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_196234707.html)
New Ashland police station also in bidding process
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, July 14, 2008

ASHLAND — Both the Ashland Veteran’s Riverfront Park and the new police station are inching their way toward construction.

City Manager Steve Corbitt said while the projects are each at different stages within the bidding process, construction could begin on each this year.

“We may end up not breaking ground on any of these until the spring, but it was my intent long before Election Day that there would be dirt flying in both areas and I think that is very realistic,” he said.

Bids for the new police station — planned at the corner of 17th and Greenup Avenue — were opened last month but no contract has yet been awarded. The bids came in over budget and city officials, along with architects, have been working to develop a plan of action, Corbitt said.

Bids for the construction of phase one of the Riverfront are expected to be let this week. They are due back to the city on Aug. 7, according to Corbitt.

Engineers have estimated phase one construction will cost approximately $9.5 million. Roughly $3 million of that, Corbitt said, will be for the steel needed to complete the river reclamation. He said officials are already concerned that the continuing rise in steel prices could put the project over budget.

If that happens, Corbitt said, officials will take the same approach they are to the police station — evaluating the options and making the best decision possible before proceeding.

One option being considered for the police station is to increase the budget for its construction.

City Finance Director Tony Grubb said the city is considering bonding up to an additional million dollars to fund the project. The entire project is now being estimated to cost between $5.5 and $6 million, up from the $4.5 million originally authorized by City Commissioners.

That estimate includes pre-construction costs, construction, utility relocation and furnishings, Grubb said.

To date, the city has already paid $225,000 in architectural fees. The lowest bid submitted for construction of the entire project was $4,799,000. This figure excluded several alternative packages but, even with the alternatives, the price tag was higher than expected.

Another option being considered is to reassess the building plans, make adjustments and then re-bid the project.

Corbitt said he expects this may be the route chosen but stressed that no decision has been made yet.

The project will not be on the agenda at Thursday’s commission meeting, he said, but added, “I highly hope that before the first meeting in August we’ll at least have a game plan.”

Frankfort ponders what to do with its riverfront (http://www.kentucky.com/211/story/460576.html)
By Ryan Alessi, Herald-Leader, July 14, 2008

A couple of centuries' worth of semi-regular flooding prompted Frankfort to treat the Kentucky River that twists through its downtown as an inconvenient ditch with water.

The city literally ”turned its back on the river,“ said Joy Jeffries, executive director of the Frankfort/Franklin County Tourist and Convention Commission. It's hidden behind flood walls, while most buildings face away from the water.

But now — 216 years after Frankfort touted its riverfront (along with offering the state $3,000 in gold and a bunch of nails, glass and hinges) in its bid to be Kentucky's capital — officials are finally turning their attention to harnessing the river's aesthetic potential.

Last week, Gov. Steve Beshear's administration announced a $150,000 grant from the state's land acquisition account to pay for a development study conducted by the CBA consulting firm.

So far, those overseeing the project have tried to leave the riverbanks a blank canvas on which the consultants can paint.

”We have intentionally not allowed ourselves to brainstorm what we want to do,“ said Jeffries, 62, who moved from Louisiana five years ago.

Sure, the temptation has been there.

The tourism commission posted an 8-foot-long map of the city and the 4-mile stretch of river, which cuts through Frankfort from just north of the Buffalo Trace Distillery to the Gov. Julian Carroll Bridge on Ky. 421 just south of the Capitol building.

”Not once have we allowed ourselves to take Post-It notes to it and start dreaming,“ Jeffries said. ”Every time we've been tempted, we've slapped our hands and said "No.' “

But plenty of others around the capital have pondered the possibilities, suggesting everything from parks to restaurants to concert venues.

”I think an extension of our convention center across the boulevard onto the riverfront is an idea that we can consider,“ said Carroll, the former Democratic governor and current state senator from Frankfort. ”There are several things we can do on the riverfront, if nothing more than developing parks with picnic tables.“

Teresa Barton, a former Franklin County judge-executive, said boating access is a must, including recreational and paddle-boating.

Rep. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort, said any riverfront development should highlight the city's past, especially with the Kentucky History Center two blocks from the river.

”And an amphitheater would be great, particularly on the north side of Frankfort down where we have the farmers' market across from the (Capital Plaza),“ he said. ”It would be nice to have concerts down there on the weekends. It's important to the economy of Frankfort. “

Graham credited the governor and first lady Jane Beshear with recognizing the river's potential and the need to move on the project.

”Ms. Beshear talked about how other communities along the Kentucky and the Ohio rivers have used the river as a point to sell their community,“ Graham said. ”With this being the capital city, we should have done this a long time ago.“

But much of Frankfort officials' dealings with the river over the years have been just trying to keep it in its place during heavy rains.

Jeffries said engineering methods have evolved so that flood prevention and development can go hand in hand. And the consulting firm, CBA, has teamed up with Stantec Engineering, which is working on the system of locks and dams along the Kentucky River.

Carroll and Graham secured money in 2005 for a riverfront study. But the work was delayed by some miscommunication with what was then the Commerce Cabinet, and the hiring of a Richmond-based consultant who died before the study was completed.

”Maybe it's good it took us four years to get to this point,“ said Jeffries. ”A lot of work has been done in the meantime. Our walk-bike community received two grants ... to connect the dots with our trails.“

Combined, all this should start a 20-year process of building up a riverfront that's been almost invisible, she said.

”And if we do it smart,“ Jeffries added, ”we do not have to make the river our enemy anymore.“

Kyova Mall officials ponder future (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_202224752.html)
By Tim Preston, The Independent, July 20, 2008

CANNONSBURG — Johnny Eggleston has no intention of abandoning the effort and investments made at the Kyova Mall since 2005, and mall associates are hard at work planning and making deals to further establish the property along U.S. 60 in Cannonsburg as a vital part of the community as well as a destination for shoppers.

While the mall property recently parted company with a barbecue restaurant, and there is abundant speculation about the future of the large Steve & Barry’s store, plans for the future are unfolding.

Eggleston and associates already have artist renderings and architectural designs in hand for the next addition to the shopping center, an American pub and grill next to the Phoenix Theater providing visitors a new opportunity for dinner and a movie.

“We will be building a kick-out to the left of the theater,” Eggleston said, describing features including a dark wood exterior with an outdoor patio and walk, as well as a second story mezzanine inside.

“We are really committed to doing this the right way,” he said, adding the name of the approximately 6,500-square-foot pub and grill is expected to be announced within two weeks, and should be in business by this fall.

“The architects have been working on this for months. Everyone is excited about it. It will be great to have a great restaurant next to the movie theater.”

Kyova officials are also finalizing details to bring a 10,000-square-foot Dollar Tree store to the former Ace Hardware building across the road from the shopping center, Eggleston said. The Dollar Tree is expected to be open by Nov. 1.

“They want to be open for the holiday season,” he added.

“By that time, I also believe we will have two new food court vendors,” Eggleston said, explaining those deals are still in the works.

Mall plans are aimed at developing a shopping center that is also a “lifestyle mall concept,” with entertainment options enhancing shopping opportunities, Eggleston explained, pointing out the Phoenix Theater’s crucial role in that concept.

“Obviously the theater has been a big deal. It was designed by one of the best in the world and it’s doing fantastic,” he said. “They anticipate having 300,000 customers this year. The owners say it has performed beyond their greatest expectations.”

A tremendous amount of work has gone into the Kyova Mall since Eggleston Associates assumed ownership of the mall property more than three years ago. He said a multimillion-dollar roof repair project was a massive undertaking, as was the effort to bring new life to the property’s interior and exterior. The ongoing revitalization effort has not been easy, or inexpensive, although Eggleston is highly aware of just how far they’ve come.

“When we got here they had given up,” he said, citing the “exodus” of mall businesses following the departure of K-Mart and Phar-Mor. “This mall was a ghost town.”

At that time, Eggleston said Elder-Beerman associates were extremely frustrated with the state of their space. He said Elder-Beerman officals now report strong sales and intentions to invest a considerable amount of their own resources to further enhance the store. “Elder-Beerman is thrilled. They are doing well.”

Sears, Eggleston said, also reports good business at the Kyova Mall store.

“In fact this is one of the few Sears in the nation that did more business in 2007 than they did in 2006,” he commented.

Smaller shops remaining in the mall have also done well, he said, stressing his admiration for the entrepreneurs who have helped businesses, including Uniforms Inc., The Bear Mill, Angel’s Cards & Gifts and The Treasure Chest, as well as food court vendors.

“Master Cuts is also doing phenomenal,” he added.

Eggleston said the success and addition of new mall shops operated by local entrepreneurs can be crucial in convincing national stores to bring their goods and services to Kyova Mall.

“National companies don’t want to be the pioneer. They won’t come in until it is proven the community and local entrepreneurs believe in it. We are working on several of those right now. An entrepreneur is something I respect immensely,” Eggleston said.

The Kyova Mall’s strategic location near Interstate 64 and nearby businesses, including several hotels, give the shopping center a distinct marketing advantage, Eggleston said.

“It is an amazing regional location. If you look at the license plates in the parking lot you see how big the market really is,” he said.

As the company works to enhance the “lifestyle center” aspect of the mall with a children’s playground and community center, Eggleston said he would love to enhance the presence of King Daughters Medical Center, which has a clinic directly across the road from the mall’s main entrance. He hopes to seek guidance from hospital President/CEO Fred Jackson to help the mall become a more integral part of the community.

“I appreciate and respect Fred Jackson and his role with KDMC. I want to include his help with our development,” Eggleston said.

The new Williamsburg, Kentucky city hall will use geothermal heat. It is pretty prevalent down there, and is a clean and efficient method for heating/cooling.

Corbin Primary School prepares for ‘Grand Celebration’ (http://www.thetimestribune.com/homepage/local_story_204105701.html)
By Sean Bailey, Times Tribune, July 22, 2008

“It’s a dream. Nothing is in the way of teaching,” Corbin Primary School teacher Ann Jewell said as she emerged from her classroom’s walk-in storage area.

Jewell was talking specifically about each classroom’s cavernous walk-in “closet,” but really she could be talking about Corbin’s newest school’s “teacher-centeric/learning-centeric” design in general. The school’s final design — all the details from class sizes to light fixtures — were part of a collaborative effort between architects and teachers.

“We (the teachers) were going all sorts of directions, and they were able to channel all of it together,” Jewell said of the school’s designers.

Next Monday night at 7 p.m. the community will be able to get a look at the collaboration during what the school is calling the “Grand Celebration.” The Kentucky education commissioner and Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo are planning to be in attendance to view the school’s cutting-edge design.

Community members will be greeted by an old-time railroad clock and a ceiling that recalls the bygone railroad depot in its main entrance. The railroad motif is continued throughout the building — even lamp fixtures conjure up images of the height of train travel.

“Corbin is a train town. We wouldn’t be here without the train,” Corbin School District Superintendent Ed McNeel said.

The old-time look is a celebration of the area’s cultural and historical heritage, but tucked into each room is the latest in learning technology.

Each room comes equipped with “touch-boards.” Touch boards are a far cry from the dusty chalk boards — or even the white dry-erase boards that have popped up in recent years. They are interactive, and by simply touching the surface, a user can access the Internet, watch an instructional film or simply draw — and all of it in real-time.

“Before they are out of second-grade, students will be able to use (computer) spreadsheets,” Principal Travis Wilder said. “This is really a building of the 21st century. They, the teachers and designers, not only looked at what they need in here now, but looked to what classrooms will need in the future.”

Besides have the newest in teaching technology in each classroom, the building itself sits on “green” technology that wasn’t even dreamt of in Corbin’s old-time train days. McNeel said below and around the building there are 200 thermal wells that help maintain the building’s climate.

Geothermal technology, as it is called, uses the earth’s naturally generated heat deep below the ground. Each well harnesses this heat to help warm or cool the building. Using the geothermal technology greatly reduces the need for fossil fuels.

Which means the school district is not only saving money, in a small way it’s helping combat global warming.

Technology and design motifs are not the only thing that is setting Corbin Primary apart from other elementary schools — the school’s lay-out itself is unique.

“Really this is three schools in one, three different school environments in one larger building,” McNeel said.

The centerpiece, or “heartbeat” of the school, as principal Wilder sometimes calls it, is the media center. It has areas for all sorts of interactive learning, from the traditional library area, to a “creation area” which is equipped with sinks and storage areas for “creation” supplies.

Branching off from the media center are the school’s three “pods.” Each pod has a common area with computers and three classrooms, one for each grade level. During a student’s three-year stay, kindergarten through second-grade, he or she will stay inside that particular pod.

To keep with the train depot theme, each pod has its own train. Local artist Emily Lackey and her sister Natalie painted scenes that all Corbinites will recognize — the Corbin rail underpass and the Cumberland Gap tunnel, to name a few.

And each mural has a little piece of hidden local charm in it. One mural has a mileage sign that says “Corbin 3.” Corbin Primary is three miles from downtown Corbin. One train is labeled “40701,” which of course is Corbin’s postal code.

But with all the little details in design and all the technical improvements, the school is still designed to do one thing, teach the youth of Corbin.

“The whole philosophy behind the building’s design ... is to teach students to think critically and to apply that critical thinking,” Wilder said.

$20 million co-ed dorm part of new look on campus (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/4143931)
By Scott Unger, State Journal, July 27, 2008

Kentucky State University unveiled its new look at ribbon cutting ceremonies for the Whitney M. Young Jr. Residence Hall and the renovated Hathaway Hall Academic Building.

"This is a great day," KSU President Mary Evans Sias told the crowd Friday at the ceremony. "We're preparing the campus for the influx of students that we have."

With 700 incoming freshman, KSU is increasing its enrollment at the fastest rate in Kentucky among institutions of higher learning even as it remains by far the smallest. From 2003 to 2007 KSU raised enrollment by 16.9 percent to 2,696 students.

The second biggest increase was Northern Kentucky University, which went up by 6.2 percent. NKU has an enrollment exceeding 14,000, according to its Web site.
With 150 beds, the $20 million, 44,592 square-foot KSU dorm will provide an additional space for the third of the student population living on campus, according to Greg Moses, director of Residence Life.

"It's a challenge when you have to house students off campus rather than house them on campus, so this presents a better opportunity for us be able to manage our students," Moses said.

Last year limited space forced KSU students to be housed in local hotels until rooms could be found on campus.

The co-ed dorm, started in 2006 and completed in March, will house upperclassmen with first preference given to juniors and seniors with a 2.7 grade point average or higher, with remaining upperclassmen filling out the rest of the rooms.

Each room features two beds, two computer desks, two armoires and a sink with a bathroom and shower shared by adjoining rooms. Each of the upper floors has a laundry facility, a common lounge, a study room and Internet access.

The first floor has a computer room, recreation room with a kitchen, two-bedroom apartment for the dorm director and a classroom.

"We have classes so not only will students be able to study on every floor, they'll study where we have (the) classroom as well," Moses said.

Sias said architects and university officials had student needs in mind throughout the planning process.

"We tried to envision all the needs of students," she said.

This is the second renovation for Hathaway Hall, the main academic building on campus. The exterior brick, windows and roof were replaced in 2003 through a $3.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights and the state legislature.

The new, $12 million renovation rebuilt the inside of the hall. The utilities were redone along with new heating and air conditioning, wiring and plumbing. Enlarged offices, additional conference rooms, a new elevator and new technology in the classrooms complete the project.

Kathy Peale, associate director of admissions and a 1975 KSU graduate, said she's impressed with the renovations.

"I'm just excited about it, I think this will help us to recruit students," Peale said. "Being a graduate, it's definitely an improvement from the seventies when I was here, so I'm just ecstatic about it."

Frankfort Mayor Bill May, who was on hand for the ribbon cutting, said the expansion is good for the city.

"It's so nice for our community to have Kentucky State University here," May said. "This is great for everyone that the university is expanding."

Moses said the new buildings are the first major step to KSU's goals of expanding to more than 4,000 students.

"We're expecting this to be the start of a new beginning with development of buildings bringing students here to the city of Frankfort and the state of Kentucky," Moses said.

"In the master plan this is the catalyst, this is step number one. We'll continue to build buildings as we go along."

Holy preservation (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_209233450.html)
By Tim Preston, The Independent, July 27, 2008

WURTLAND — One more season of harsh weather may be all it takes to destroy Wurtland Union Church, the oldest unaltered church in Greenup County.

The 150-year-old-plus wood frame structure has been in place since before Lincoln was president, originally serving as a place of worship for iron and coal workers who otherwise had to make it to Ashland or Greenup to say their prayers in a church.

“As the only community gathering place, the church was the place where weddings, funerals and many social events happened,” local historian Thomas Heaberlin wrote for The Kentucky Explorer in 2002.

“The only event that didn’t take place there were the elections and for good reason. Election Day in Wurtland was a day of drinking, fighting and almost wide-open vote buying. Such activities were not considered appropriate for holy ground.”

The name “Union” is a reflection of the denominations that shared the space, with earliest members including Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists. Modern Methodist, Nazarene and Baptist churches in Wurtland can trace their origins to the church. Civil War soldiers from Camp Sweigert, the Union induction camp a few hundreds yards from the church, were also among the church’s earliest worshippers.

Heaberlin said the church was a simple structure that served the essential needs of locals.

“If a visitor is looking for a structure of iconic beauty, with ornamental columns and artglass windows, he will be disappointed,” Heaberlin wrote, comparing the church’s appearance to a typical one-room schoolhouse. “Its foundation is not deep, reinforced concrete but rather a few stones placed on the bare earth.”

A “mourners bench” inside the sanctuary hinted at early Methodist influence, Heaberlin said, explaining the furniture was an innovation of “the rugged holiness and hell-fire preachers.”

For Kim Harris, the slow deterioration of the church was something she couldn’t bear to witness.

“I attended there when I was a child and we were one of the founding families,” said Harris, who moved away from the community to teach at Florida State University. “I would come home to visit the family and notice the church was in a state of disrepair. Eventually, it was probably vacant for a year and a half and covered in shrubbery.”

After a closer inspection of the old church revealed serious issues, Harris said people with family and historical ties to the building decided “at that point we needed to do whatever we needed to do.” Trees were growing up into the church roof had to be cut out and the steeple removed to prevent the church bell from crashing down. A “hurricane tarp” was carefully placed over the remaining original rafters to prevent further weather damage inside, and Harris said a historical restoration architect was contacted.

The original church pews are being refurbished, although the restoration is not aimed at making the benches look exactly as they did when installed.

“My dad, Chester Harris, and I helped unbolt the pews and remove the light fixtures,” Harris said, explaining the old wooden pews have been altered through the years by people who may have been trying to entertain themselves during particularly long sermons. “There are all kinds of names carved into the pews. We have to strip many coats of paint off of them, then varnish the pews and replace them. Those carvings will be visible.”

Even though the doors at Wurtland Union Church “have never, ever been locked,” Harris said the humble building and contents were never touched by vandals.

“The original light fixtures, the pulpit and lectern, the hymnals — everything was intact,” she said, stressing the original items will be returned to the church as part of the renovation plan. She also credited the efforts of James and Mable Boyles, longtime stewards of the church property.

So far, Harris said the church restoration plan has generated quite a bit of conversation among those who remember the house of worship, although few volunteers have emerged to help get the work done. Work to solidify the church foundation must be done soon, she said, before it is too late.

“The foundation needs to be done before fall sets in because I don’t think it will last another winter,” she said, noting the need for structural beams to prevent the walls, floor and roof from buckling. “I hope we haven’t already waited too long.”

The church restoration project can use material donations including fencing, electrical and plumbing supplies, although Harris said she especially hopes to find volunteers with “strong backs and wonderful attitudes,” in addition to financial support. Harris said several individuals and business owners, including Brian Morrison of Bri-Den Co. as well as the owner of Burchett’s Tree Removal, have pitched in to help.

“Of course, cash is king and without it quickly we won’t be able to save this building,” she said, pointing out the nearby railroad that transmits damaging vibrations into the old church.

“The church can’t take much more movement without being stabilized. One more season of bad weather and it may buckle completely.”

If the historic building can be saved, Harris said she hopes to see it once again serve the community around it.

“This church is more about community than religion. It is a historical treasure in Greenup County that’s been ignored for too long,” she said. “This church has served the community for 150 years. Without schools and churches for people to meet, discuss, confer, mourn and celebrate we don’t have a community.

Contributions to the church renovation can be made to the Wurtland Union Church and Meeting House Restoration Fund at First & Peoples Bank. For more information about the project, call (606) 932-8065 or (606) 473-5627 or e-mail sirrahkim@aol.com.

Judicial center action postponed (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/4175862)
By Paul Glasser, State Journal, August 1, 2008

The proposed Franklin County Judicial Center, with an estimated price tag of $30 million, has been put on hold, according to court officials.

Jason Nemes, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, told The State Journal today there will be no action on contracts for the judicial center until after February.

Nemes said Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice John Minton Jr. made the decision after being contacted by state and local officials.

"We think this is in the best interests of the citizens of Franklin County," Nemes said.

Judge-Executive Ted Collins is chairman of the Franklin County Project Development Board and said putting the project on hold is the right decision, considering the circumstances.

The development board will not meet until February, Collins said, but the executive committee will continue to discuss possible sites, such as the John C. Watts federal building.

The board voted unanimously last year to build a new facility at the old Model Laundry property behind the Frankfort Convention Center. The board had entered into discussions with eight property owners and had appropriated $1.6 million for property acquisition.

Collins said that's also on hold, even though county attorney Rick Sparks was preparing to send letters to the property owners as part of the negotiation.

The development board considered other options, such as renovating the current courthouse or relocating to the John C. Watts federal building on Broadway.

However, Sen. Julian Carroll, D-Frankfort, and Rep. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort, wrote a letter to Minton three weeks ago asking that the project be put on hold.

Carroll and Graham expressed concerns about financing the project from a state budget that is already austere " it includes only a 1 percent raise for state employees. Although bonds finance the $30 million project, they said the state is too indebted.

Instead, the legislators suggested that other options should be re-evaluated, including the Watts federal building. Although the building is largely vacant, federal officials said earlier this year it was not available.

"We believe a greater effort should be made to determine when and if this location might become available," according to the letter by Carroll and Graham.

They also suggested that officials consider expanding the courts by annexing property adjacent to the current facility.

"All these efforts would be consistent with our concern of maintaining the integrity of the business district of the City of Frankfort," according to the letter.

The legislators also suggested that funds could also be used to renovate the existing Franklin County courthouse instead of building a new judicial center.

Graham and Carroll said they will propose legislation in the 2009 session to allow for annexation and renovation of the courthouse, an option already rejected by the project development board.

Carroll and Graham also asked that Franklin County Fiscal Court be reimbursed for almost $50,000 that has already been spent for planning and design work related to the proposed judicial center.

The three-story building would include 102,000 square feet and house jury trial courtrooms, non-jury trial courtrooms, hearing rooms, grand jury areas, judge chambers, a law library, circuit court clerk areas, prisoner-handling facilities, court security, court-affiliated and support offices and facility-support areas.

Will the Plaza Tower be razed? (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/4199981)
By Paul Glasser, State Journal, August 6, 2008

Local officials and community leaders say they're excited about a proposal to demolish the Capital Plaza Tower as part of a $156 million plan to redo the prime Frankfort real estate near it.

At a public meeting Tuesday night, state officials presented a plan detailed in a map to demolish the office tower " one of Central Kentucky's tallest structures " and renovate the Clinton Street garage along with several other items including the Fountain Plaza shops.

Improving the Frankfort Convention Center and building a new office tower is part of the plan with an overall price tag of $156 million.

Architect Steven Sherman said building a new complex would cost only 15 percent more than renovating the current facilities.

"It could make a quantum leap," Sherman said. "It would change the whole dynamic of the space."

The Capital Plaza Tower was designed in the 1960s and built in the 1970s. It stands 24 stories tall and houses about 800 employees in 370,000 square feet of office space.

Architects said it would cost $62 million to renovate the building because it's inefficient and near the end of its useful lifespan.

The tower would be replaced with a four or five story building that would be constructed east of the tower and near the new Transportation Cabinet building.

The tower would be demolished after the new building was constructed and all the employees relocated.

Many portions of the Capital Plaza campus received poor scores in a structural assessment, which revealed problems with accessibility, concrete deterioration and aging mechanical systems.

Jim Abbott, commissioner of facilities and support services, said state officials will engage in a public dialogue before moving forward with the project.

Abbott said the officials could make a funding request for the project in 2010 and hope to complete construction in five years if everything goes smoothly.

"State government runs like a well-oiled machine," Abbott joked.

Frankfort Mayor Bill May said the project would open up green space and create a much more inviting entrance to the city.

"I think it's interesting to look at the possibility of opening up that area of the city," he said. "I think it would make it much more attractive."

Joy Jeffries, executive director of the Frankfort/Franklin County Tourism Commission, said the proposal is the right decision.

"I wish we could start tomorrow," she said.

Abbott said it would cost about $12 million to demolish the current office tower and about $98 million to build a new facility. Other improvements to the complex could push the total price tag to $156 million.

Gippy Graham, a candidate for mayor, also attended the meeting and said the proposal is promising. He said demolishing the overpasses at Mero and Clinton streets and the office tower would improve the area.

"The plaza tower simply looks out of place for the architecture of our city," Graham said.

Lynn Bowers, a candidate for mayor, also said she likes the idea of having more green space. She also said the project is the most economic solution.

"It would cost more on the front end but give us double the life-span," Bowers said.

Sherman said the walkways over Mero and Clinton streets would also be demolished for $600,000 and the whole complex would be brought down to street level.

It would cost an estimated $7.4 million to demolish the Fountain Plaza shops and landscape the area, Sherman said. Otherwise, the facilities would require extensive renovations at an estimated cost of $24 million, he said.

That would help convert some of the 600,000 square feet of concrete plaza into green space, Sherman said.

"It could become a whole new public space for the city," he said.

The proposal also includes $23.3 million for interior renovations at the convention center, including elevators, concessions stands on the upper level, a new kitchen and new mechanical systems.

Sherman said no exterior improvements are planned because the roof and exterior walls were recently repaired.

For $9.7 million the Capital Plaza tower garage would be demolished and the area landscaped according to the proposal. A new parking lot near the Transportation Cabinet building would be constructed to accommodate employees and visitors.

Sen. Julian Carroll, D-Frankfort, said it's unlikely any funding would be available for the project in the next few years. However, he said it's a good idea to begin the planning process.

"There is no way state government can afford an expenditure such as that at this time," Carroll said.
Carroll recently requested that the $30 million Franklin County Judicial Center project be put on hold because of the tight fiscal situation in state government. The state needs to tackle other issues, such as the $26 billion unfunded pension liability, Carroll said.

"I don't think the timing is germane to talk about what to do at the plaza," he said.

Dave Steele, executive director of the YMCA, said the plans would not directly involve his facility. The
YMCA has about 60 years left in a 99-year lease with state government.

However, he said he's concerned about a plan to create 280 additional parking spaces in the garage on Clinton Street. He said the garage is rarely full unless there's a large event at the Convention Center.

"I'm not real crazy about having a looming garage casting a shadow over the YMCA," Steele said.

^ WOW! In a town where the tallest bldg is about 4 stories with a 40 story tower....ok a bit overstated. But yes, I think we've all thought it looked just a bit out of place - the 24 story tower in the valley. I will look weird, er normal, when it is gone

Good riddance!

City rejects police station bids (http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_222222045.html)
Hopes an increase in interest will lower costs
By Carrie Kirschner, The Independent, August 9, 2008

ASHLAND — City officials voted Thursday night to reject current bids for construction of the new Ashland Police Station, and will try again.

Officials are hoping some small changes in the plans and an increased number of companies bidding on the project will drive down the cost to within the city’s budget.

Only three companies originally submitted bids in June and the lowest bidder was approximately $500,000 above the city’s budget.

The Ashland Board of City Commissioners has authorized up to $4.5 million for the 17,000-square-foot building, including construction, architectural fees and furnishings. City Manager Steve Corbitt said in June the city had a budget of between $4 million and $4.3 million for construction.

New bids are expected to be received by the city and awarded within the next 60 to 90 days, according to Acting City Manager Tony Grubb.

Grubb said Corbitt, who is on medical leave, has been working with architects at Brandstetter Carroll Inc. — the Lexington-based firm hired to design the building — to re-evaluate the plans and look for cost savings.

He said Corbitt and the architects have identified several items, including the number of restrooms in the facility and the size of lockers, that could potentially save thousands in construction costs.

Ashland Police Capt. Don Petrella said he was not aware of “any substantial changes that have been made” to the design. “It’s my understanding that the bid they are going to readvertise is going to be substantially similar to the bid the first time,” he said.

City Attorney Richard “Sonny” Martin said the city is also expected to receive a report from a potential construction management firm within the next few days. The report is expected to also identify some cost savings, he said.

Additional funding possibilities for the police station are also still in the works.

Grubb said officials are considering using roughly $400,000 in interest earned on the Melody Mountain bond principal for the project.

The city is also researching the possibility of borrowing money directly from the Kentucky League of Cities, Martin said.

“Right now, we’re crunching numbers,” Grubb said.

Bids for the police station were expected to be advertised this weekend.

Richmond Mall losing key stores (http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/486201.html)
By Ashlee Clark, Herald-Leader, August 11, 2008

RICHMOND — For the next few weeks, it's anchors away in Richmond Mall.

Stores that have supported the 300,000-square-foot shopping center are about to migrate across town to the soon-to-open Richmond Centre complex, raising concerns that the mall would become like Fayette County's vacant Lexington Mall or near-empty Turfland Mall.

The attraction of the development's location off Interstate 75 at Barnes Mill Road and the promise of more space for tenants have already lured away three of Richmond Mall's anchor stores — Goody's Family Clothing, JCPenney and Hastings Entertainment, a retailer of DVDs and other entertainment products.

Two other tenants will also leave the mall in the coming months. Dawahare's, which was set to move to Richmond Centre, and the Fashion Bug are going out of business.

The departures leave the mall with a thin lineup of large businesses strong enough to anchor it and stand up to the demand expected for Richmond Centre.

To stay afloat, the mall needs to attract big-name retailers as anchors, one area business professor said.

”If they can't attract the anchor stores, I don't know how they're going to get the other stores that are going to rely on them as a destination point,“ said Bob Dahlstrom, the Bloomfield endowed professor of marketing at the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics.

But mall officials remain confident that it will retain shoppers with its remaining and future tenants.

”We will have a down period, but we're going to do our very best to keep that minimal,“ said Vickey Strunk, manager of Richmond Mall. ”You can't build Richmond Centre overnight. We can't rebuild Richmond Mall overnight.“

Strunk said there is some ongoing ”leasing activities“ with businesses interested in a Richmond Mall location, but declined to identify those stores. She said there will be an announcement about the new tenants in the next couple of weeks.

”Hopefully, it will be something that the community will be very excited about,“ Strunk said.

Unlike the mall, Richmond Centre is designed like Lexington's Hamburg Pavilion, an open-air shopping complex.

Some of Richmond Centre's tenants will include Meijer; Belk, a department store; Cinemark Theatre and Home Depot. Culver's and Logan's Roadhouse will also be on the property. They will begin opening in October.

Richmond Centre executives will search for a replacement tenant for the space set to house Dawahare's, said Tim Sittema, senior vice president of Charlotte, N.C.-based Crosland LLC, which is developing the site in partnership with Greenville, S.C.-based Carolina Holdings Inc.

But Sittema said he is confident that the Richmond Centre will thrive.

”Richmond Centre is going to be a great asset to the community, and it's looking better and better as we get more of the construction complete,“ Sittema said.

The center, like other open-air complexes, is built to satisfy the traffic patterns of growing cities, Dahlstrom said. The locations of the older, enclosed malls are no longer as attractive to consumers who have moved further out into the county.

New shopping centers also have more space for growth than older malls, which are fairly landlocked, Dahlstrom said.

The Richmond Mall is on the Eastern Bypass, the main artery that circles Richmond. Strunk, the mall's manager, said the shopping center is in a good location between Wal-Mart and Kroger and next to U.S. 25, which leads to Berea.

”You want to be where everybody else is at,“ Strunk said. ”Those are strong businesses that have been there for awhile.“

Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson sees benefit in having both shopping centers in Richmond.

She said the new complex ”will be positive for the community because it will bring in money that we would otherwise not have.“

Lawson, who is also a real estate agent, said she thinks tenants will want to move to a well-established location such as the Richmond Mall where they can pay lower rent than they would at other sites.

Though the mall will initially suffer from its losses, ”I believe it will recover from it,“ Lawson said.

Last week, shoppers visited the Richmond Mall to take advantage of storewide clearance and going-out-of-business sales.

Emily Agee, who stopped in to the mall's food court for lunch Friday, said it's going to be sad to see the larger stores leave.

”It's going to kill this end of town,“ she said.

But Agee, 50, is already expecting to make lots of trips to Richmond Centre, which is closer to her home in Richmond.

”I've already told my husband I'll be stopping there pretty frequently,“ she said.

Agee and co-worker Carolyn Nipper, 40, agreed that there need to be more big-name stores in the city, such as American Eagle, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, or the Gap.

”You gotta have a reason to come to the mall,“ Agee said.

Midway council hears zoning plan for 600-home development (http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/494341.html)
By Greg Kocher, Herald-Leader, August 18, 2008

Midway City Council will vote Sept. 2 on whether to rezone industrial land off Interstate 64 and Ky 341 to allow more than 600 residential units.

Before that Sept. 2 vote, the council will hear attorneys for developer Dennis Anderson and for the Woodford Coalition give the pros and cons on whether the rezoning should be approved. But Midway City Attorney Phil Moloney said the public will not be allowed to comment or ask questions at that hearing.

If approved, the Anderson development will have more than 600 single-family houses and townhouse units, plus a hotel, winery and walking trails. The council gave first reading to a rezoning ordinance at its Monday meeting.

Cheaper, happier, healthier (http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/4240981)
By Charlie Pearl, State-Journal, August 14, 2008

Larry Cleveland and David Garnett still wear suits and ties to work. But they've changed their method of getting there.

Both live in South Frankfort and have started bicycle commuting to work. Cleveland is commonwealth's attorney and Garnett is assistant county attorney.

Cleveland, 56, says his wife, Lisa, 42, was the catalyst for him to start cycling or walking to work rather than driving.

The Clevelands live on Shelby Street in the block by the floodwall, and Lisa, director of communications for The Kentucky Historical Society, works in the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History on Broadway.

The first time a gas fill-up in her BMW went over $50 - when the gauge wasn't on empty at the start - was the tipping point for Lisa deciding to bicycle commute.

"It was painful," she says about the high price of gas.

But biking or walking the short distance to work - less than a mile - is more about wanting to be physically active than saving gas, she says.

She was already into fitness, running three miles four times a week.

"I'm just trying to change my way of thinking " automatically getting in a car and going places vs. walking or bicycling," she says. "We could have been doing this for a long time. Any exercise you can do, even if it's just a short distance, is better than not at all."

They went to Capital City Cycles Bicycle Shop on Versailles Road, and found identical-looking silver Schwinn hybrid bicycles.

"It's so much quicker to ride a bike to work than to drive," Larry Cleveland says.

They've been bicycle commuting about six weeks, and enjoy riding bikes in the downtown and South Frankfort area after work for recreation and to restaurants.

"It's good exercise," Larry Cleveland says. "I feel I've already lost weight. It gets my blood pumping in the mornings and I'm ready to go to work. I feel less wasteful and there are no carbon emissions."

Since Lisa started cycling, she says she's noticed more bicycles and scooters on the streets.

"I think more people are exploring it as an option," Lisa Cleveland says. "We stop and talk to people, and there's a nice community feeling about it. I think bicycling makes you feel a little more connected to the community in a strange sort of way."

Larry Cleveland says he would like to see bike lanes in the city. A not so enjoyable part of cycling is riding across the narrow Singing Bridge and having cars pass you, he says.

A smaller carbon footprint

Garnett, a South Frankfort resident and former chairman of the Frankfort/Franklin County Planning Commission, started riding his 24-speed hybrid bicycle to work two or three days a week in April after he totaled his car in a wreck near Switzer.

Since then, the bicycle has reduced his trips to the gas pump from three to two times a month, he says, "and I'm reducing my carbon footprint out the wazoo."

An extra benefit besides the savings on gas is "losing weight," Garnett says. "I'm fitting into clothes I haven't been able to wear in several years."

He says he bought his bicycle with a gift certificate he received when he retired as executive director of the Kentucky Motor Vehicle Commission in 2006. It's been a much better gift than a set of golf clubs, he says.

Staying safe

Woodson Smith, a longtime cyclist and occasional bicycle commuter, walks to work most of the time from his 4th Street home to PlanGraphics on East Main where he is a manager.

"I am noticing a lot more people riding around town on bicycles, probably because of the price of gasoline," he says. "That's good, except some of them haven't been on a bike in a long time and probably aren't quite sure what their rights and responsibilities are."

Smith says he's seen cyclists "riding against traffic or swerving erratically on and off sidewalks. I think this increases the likelihood of conflicts between cars and bikes. One of the key things to being safe is to be predictable and if you're in a car you're not expecting a bike to be coming against traffic.

"It's a great thing that more people are getting out on bicycles but I would just hate to see somebody get hurt or have a bad conflict with a driver."

He also believes all cyclists should wear helmets.

Following through

Jane Purcell, 43, a chemist in the toxicology section at the Kentucky State Police Crime Lab, made a 2008 New Year's resolution to start bicycle commuting to work at least twice a week.

A resident of East Main across from Kentucky State University, she bought a Specialized mountain bike and followed through with her resolution in April.

She says she rides on sidewalks some and stays off Martin Luther King Boulevard as much as possible because it's dangerous for cyclists around the state Cabinet for Families and Children complex and the Glenns Creek intersection at the East-West Connector.

Purcell's route includes passing Hillcrest, the KSU president's home, turning on Athletic Drive and cutting through the First City Complex, and taking a narrow path over to the Connector. Then she has to ride only a quarter-mile on the Connector to get to Sower Boulevard. The distance is about two miles.

"It doesn't take much longer than in a car," she says. "I like it because it gets the blood flowing before I get to work. It does give you energy. It's good exercise and it's just fun."

Better health was more of an incentive for her to start cycling than high gas prices, and Purcell says she's in it for the long haul. She plans to get involved in Walk/Bike Frankfort to help make roads and sidewalks safer and more enjoyable for cyclists and pedestrians.

An easy ride

Shannon Gale, director of the Frankfort School of Ballet, has been commuting to work from Fannin Court in South Frankfort for about two years on her pink Electra Townie bike.

It has silver fenders, a matching basket large enough to carry a watermelon from the Farmers Market, seven easy-to-shift gears and a non-slip chain.

Gale, 33, says she never learned how to shift gears on a bicycle as a child, so the Townie was a good choice for her and requires less maintenance.

She's seen an increase in bicycle riding and hopes it's not just a fad.

"I was really an anomaly when I started riding," Gale says. "Now most people I know who live in South Frankfort or downtown ride a bike. It makes getting to work so much more enjoyable than sitting in a car in traffic. It's fun to feel the wind in your face. It's good for your health and being a dance teacher, it helps keep me in shape."

She says Frankfort is a friendly town, "and there is a sense of community built around people who ride bikes. We have wonderful parks too," and Walk/Bike Frankfort working with local governments to connect parks by bicycle-pedestrian paths is exciting, she says.

Caught in the rain

At least once a week since May, Lawrenceburg resident Steve Royalty, 48, has been riding his Specialized road bike on U.S. 127 to work in Frankfort. He's an accountant with the state Cabinet for Families and Children.

He says he decided to try the 16-mile commute because he enjoys riding, it saves gas and is great exercise. He saves about $6 a day in gas, plus wear and tear on his car, every time he cycles to work, he says.

Although he faithfully checks the weather forecast, he has been caught in a surprise but light rain shower. He's also had a flat tire, but a call to his office brought a co-worker to pick him up.

He gets to work about 7 a.m. and changes from his bicycling attire to business clothes. He's been a cyclist for almost 10 years and believes it helped him recover from a heart attack in 2001.

Royalty, also a basketball coach at Anderson County Middle School, says he will continue his weekly bicycle commute until basketball practice begins.

Going the scooter route

Alicia New, owner of A New Day Spa and Salon in the 300 block of St. Clair Street, doesn't have to drive or ride a bicycle to work since she lives in an apartment above her business.

But to reduce her gasoline consumption when she does have to get "out of the (downtown) bowl" quickly, she recently purchased a new red Roketa scooter for $795 at the Peddlers Mall in Frankfort.

She says it will go 45 mph and "I spend $2 a week on gas. It's been a very good conversation piece and I've met so many new friends since I bought it."

She was riding a bicycle before getting her scooter and has just started a bicycle rental service at her shop. She has two mountain bikes - each for $20 a day - "for those who want to play and see the town."

"For the serious bikers, I send them to Capital City Cycles," which has eight hybrids and eight road bikes to rent at $20 and $25 a day, respectively.

Sales are up

Troy Hearn, owner of Capital City Cycles that opened 10 months ago, says sales are about 40 percent higher than he expected, but the high cost of gas is "just a piece of the puzzle, a small part of it."

People who have had bicycles sitting idle in their garages or basements for years are starting to bring them in for maintenance and tune-ups, he says.

He was general manager of Pedal the Planet, Lexington's largest bicycle shop, before opening his own store. He's seen a jump in sales of hybrid/commuter bicycles.

"This is the first year I've seen people actually (buying bikes to commute) as opposed to talking about doing it," Hearn says.

He says he's no economist but a mild recession is good for the bike industry.

A Frankfort native, Hearn, 40, now lives in Lexington and bicycle commutes 29 miles to his shop two or three times a week. It takes him about an hour and 40 minutes to get there.

While high gas prices help his business some, Hearn says stores that sell scooters and mopeds "are doing a booming business." And when gas goes to $5 a gallon next summer, it will help bike and scooter sales even more, he says.