Plans & Visions
Downtown Lexington is dynamically poised for
new growth and redevelopment
In the past few years over 350 new residential units have opened downtown. There are currently over 100 residential units under construction and over 300 units on the drawing board. There are over 20 different projects in all, with various residential options and over 150,000 sq. ft. of retail space worth over $500 million.
Downtown Master Plan
Defining the vision of what a successful downtown Lexington should and could be
Untapped potential exists for downtown to develop
as a more vibrant central business, residential, retail, and entertainment
district of the city. Currently, it is a busy and hustling place
along Main Street during the day and a very active area on Friday
and Saturday nights with predominantly younger patrons. What appears
missing is a balance of activities attracting a broader range of
clientele who feel downtown is a convenient, safe, and fun place.
Documents, Meeting Minutes and More Information
College Town Study
Opportunities and challenges to set a high standard for the public realm within a sound architectural and commercial footing
This study was a collaboration between Lexington-Fayette
Urban County Government (LFUCG) and the University of Kentucky. The
LDDA functioned as project manager/coordinator. The study resulted
in a final report including separate appendices for retail and residential
studies and ten general and five traffic-related recommendations.
The study involves LFUCG, the University of Kentucky, Samaritan
Hospital, Calvary Baptist Church, South Hill and Aylesford Neighborhoods,
and other interested parties.
An Adobe Acrobat PDF file of the College Town Plan is also available on CD. For more infomation call the Lexington Downtown Development Authority at (859) 425-2296.
Newtown Pike Extension Study
A key role in the redevelopment of the southern portion of downtown
The LDDA has been working with the LFUCG staff on the development of the Newtown Pike Extension Corridor Area Plan.
The Distillery District
On the west side of Rupp Arena, nestled along the banks of the historic Town Branch Creek, there begins a half mile corridor steeped in a Bluegrass Tradition - bourbon. The Distillery District's mission is to become Lexington's premier arts, culture and heritage corridor.
www.lexingtondistillerydistrict.com
Courthouse Area Design Overlay Zone
The intent of the Courthouse Area Design Overlay Zone is to encourage growth and redevelopment in the downtown area, while preserving and protecting the unique features and characteristics of the area in conformity with the Comprehensive Plan and the design guidelines for the Court House Area adopted by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council.
If you are applying to make exterior modifications to a building and/or to a site on a property located within the Courthouse Area Design Overlay Zone an Application for Review is available here.
The Downtown Streetscape Master Plan
This plan is intended to build upon The Downtown Master Plan findings and result in the development of streetscape design guidelines and standards that enhance the public realm, redefine the pedestrian right-of-way, instill a stronger sense of place and promote a higher quality of life; all in a more environmentally sustainable manner.
East End Small Area Plan
The East End Small Area Plan affords LFUCG and the Division of Planning the opportunity to combine traditional elements of neighborhood planning with new techniques of organizing the social, physical and economic environment of the neighborhood. A variety of planning tools have been evaluated by the project team to ensure that the East End Small Area Plan reflects the values of the neighborhood residents and the planning principles and policies of the newly adopted LFUCG Comprehensive Plan.
For general Information about the East End
click here.
For a copy (PDF) of the East End- Adopted Small Area Plan
click here
Central Sector Small Area Plan
The Central Sector has been the focus of a great deal of community interest in recent years. The area contains some of Lexington's oldest neighborhoods that are extremely diverse in uses and character. While the area shares many concerns, it is comprised of distinctly different neighborhoods, many of which contain vibrant neighborhood associations. The Central Sector Small Area Plan was born of a shared desire by the Central Sector Coalition and LFUCG to create a unified vision and strategy for the area that recognizes the unique character of each of its neighborhoods.
For general information about The Central Sector- adopted small area plan click here.
For a copy (PDF) of the adopted plan itself.click here.
Legacy Trail
The Legacy Trail will be a nine-mile walking and biking trail leading from the Issac Murphy Memorial Art Garden in the East End, and other areas in downtown, to the Horse Park. After leaving the trailhead at the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden, the Legacy Trail will follow 3rd Street to Newtown Pike. Other street connections in downtown will feed into the Trail. The Trail will go off-street north of Loudon Avenue at the Northside Family YMCA, pass across the Lexmark property and over New Circle Road across Lexmark's bridge. In the short term, there will be only one major street crossing, at Newtown Pike and Citation. Eventually, the plan is to create a sculptural pedestrian bridge over Newtown Pike. Over time this Trail will grow and link to Georgetown to the north and to the Kentucky River on the south.
Legacy Trail Design Booklet.pdf
Lyric Theatre
The Lyric is viewed by many as the cultural anchor for East End neighborhoods, and as a cultural icon by many African-Americans throughout the community. It opened in 1948 and closed its doors in 1963, but during the years it operated it hosted the likes of Duke Ellington and Ray Charles.
Over the last two decades, hundreds of local citizens have worked on or provided input to plans to renovate and re-open the Lyric.
Council gave final approval July 2, 2009 to start construction on the renovation and expansion of the Lyric, which is expected to cost approximately $6 million.
Click here to read more about the renovation and groundbreaking.