DMP081804

Lexington Downtown Master Plan Public Hearing

Wednesday, August 18, 2004        

 9:00 a.m.

Third Floor Community Room, Phoenix Building

101 East Vine Street

 

 

Attendees

 

Steering Committee Members:   Chief Anthany Beatty, David Biagi, Bobbie Bryant (representing Tad Long), Jim Clark, Terry Garcia Crews, Pat Gerhard, Steve Grossman, Bill Johnston, Tim Kelly, Amy Lett, David Lord, Dr. Max Love, Vince Mattox, Mike Meuser, P.G. Peeples, Grant Phelps, Becky Reinhold, Tom Sheeran, Mac Stone, Randall Vaughn, Retia Scott Walker, Brenda Weaver, and Bob Wiseman

 

Consultants:  George Alexiou, Sarah Lewis, Kevin Peterson, Dhiru Thadani, Sarah Woodworth, and Laurie Volk

 

Lexington Downtown Development Authority Staff:  Harold Tate and Joan Terry

 

Other Attendees:  Julian Beard, Max Conyers, Rob Franklin, Doug Greene, Rob Hammons, Dal Harper, Mayor Teresa Ann Isaac, Henry Jackson, Bill Lear, Win Meeker, Loris Points, Melissa Sanchez, Tracy Sewell, and Wayne Wilson

 

Meeting Summary

 

I.                    Harold Tate, president/executive director of the Lexington Downtown Development Authority (LDDA), brought the meeting to order and introduced participants.

A.     Harold introduced consultants for the downtown master plan including representatives from Ayers/Saint/Gross, Martin/Alexiou/Bryson, Inc., Zimmerman/Volk Associates, and ZHA.

B.     Harold Tate introduced Tim Kelly, president and publisher of the Lexington Herald-Leader, who agreed to server as steering committee chair.

1. Tim Kelly gave a brief overview of his vision for development of downtown.

2. Chairman Kelly introduced steering committee members and asked members to briefly state their interests in downtown and concerns regarding urban development.

C.     Harold Tate introduced the LDDA staff who will assist in coordinating the downtown master plan.

II.                 Steve Grossman, chairman of the Lexington Downtown Development Authority, presented background information regarding the downtown master plan.

A.    Steve Grossman thanked Tim Kelly for agreeing to chair the steering committee.

B.     Steve Grossman explained the University of Kentucky School of Design has complied preliminary information, including surveys, for the downtown master plan.

C.     Mr. Grossman indicated funding for the downtown master plan has been donated from businesses and private sector organizations.

D.    Steve Grossman explained the master plan is the third component of a development format including the University of Kentucky master plan and the College Town plan.

E.     Mr. Grossman emphasized the need for community voice in the plan development.

III.               Dhiru Thandani, Ayers/Saint/Gross consultant, outlined the process and schedule for development of the downtown master plan, which includes multiple phases.

A.    Observation identifies specific groups to be involved in the planning process.

B.     Concepts and principles develop a vision for Lexington, define needs, and identify trade-offs.

C.     Examination of neighborhoods and districts determines application of principles to smaller urban areas.

D.    Incorporation of smaller area plans will be included in one master plan and a determination made concerning the trade-offs involved.

E.     Ayers/Saint/Gross develops design guidelines and principles.

IV.              Harold Tate requested steering committee members review packet materials regarding downtown events and festivals, downtown edges, major intersections, primary gateways, landmarks, districts and neighborhoods, and opportunities and constraints.

A.     Comments regarding information should be forwarded to Harold Tate (harold@lexingtondda.com) by August 30.

B.      Comments will be compiled and presented at the next steering committee meeting.

V.                 Focus groups for the downtown master plan were identified and additional groups were recommended.

A.    Focus groups include the following:

1. Neighborhood Associations

2. Farmers’ Market

3. Downtown retailers

4. Transylvania University

5. University of Kentucky

6. Downtown developers

7. Park Advisory Board

8. Community Reinvestment Alliance of Lexington (CRAL)

9. Churches

B.     Additional groups suggested from meeting attendees include the following:

1. Bar and Restaurant Association

2. Historic Commission

3. Arts and entertainment representatives

4. Fayette County Public Schools

5. Groups from outside downtown Lexington

6. Hotel and motel representatives

7. Senior citizens

8. Urban League

9. Hispanic community

VI.              Downtown master plan public hearings will occur when consultants are in Lexington.

A.    Public notice of meetings will be published in the Lexington Herald-Leader.

B.     Meeting times and dates will be posted on the LDDA web site (www.lexingtondda.com)

C.     Scheduling meetings in the evening is being considered.

VII.            Harold Tate asked for questions and adjourned the meeting.

A.    Questions regarding the downtown master plan should be addressed to the LDDA by calling (859) 425-2296 or emailing (harold@lexingtondda.com)

B.     The meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.