March 27, 200916 yr Author THIS PISSES ME OFF. Here is what was proposed: Here is what we may be getting: Not pleased. In comparison to what was once proposed, and what CVS has done with other urban locations, I'm not holding my breath for anything spectacular on this site. A one-story building, in comparison to the density surrounding this property, and the potential that it could hold, justifies something more dense. CVS drugstore planned for downtown By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, March 26, 2009 A one-story CVS drugstore carrying an expanded line of groceries is planned for a prominent entrance to downtown Lexington. The building, originally conceived as part of a larger mixed-use development with apartments, retail and office space, would go on the site of the former Integra Bank building and Heritage Antiques at the intersection of Main, Midland and Vine streets.
April 11, 200916 yr Author Developer insists CentrePointe will be built despite death of key financier By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, April 10, 2009 A key financial backer of the planned CentrePointe development in Lexington died last fall, but the project's California trustee says he is working with the financier's heirs to keep the $250 million deal on track. Los Angeles attorney Richard P. Crane Jr. said in a letter to Lexington officials that the death has "complicated the implementation of the funding plan," but he remains optimistic about the future of the proposed 35-story luxury hotel and condominium.
April 17, 200916 yr Author Mayor seeks $64 million over two years for new city hall By Erik A. Carlson, Business Lexington, April 16, 2009 Lexington, KY - Deep inside Mayor Jim Newberry's proposed budget presented Tuesday to council is a request for $4 million this year and $60 million the next to "Construct new City Hall Complex in downtown Lexington."
April 17, 200916 yr Author ^Another article posted above. Distillery District gains Internet popularity as developer looks for infrastructure funding By Susan Baniak, Business Lexington, April 14, 2009 Lexington, KY - If voters on the Web site StimulusWatch.org had anything to say about it, the Lexington Distillery District would be the first in line among the myriad of national projects vying for government stimulus funding.
May 6, 200916 yr Author CentrePointe discussion gets heated at City Hall Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, May 6, 2009 A defiant Dudley Webb chastised the Urban County Council on Tuesday for carping about his CentrePointe project, saying the fate of the delayed development's funding would be known in the next 60 to 90 days. In a lengthy prepared statement, Webb also made public a letter of support from the proposed development's main tenant, J.W. Marriott, and said he has been unfairly treated by the press, particularly the Lexington Herald-Leader, and Vice Mayor Jim Gray.
May 6, 200916 yr Author The Distillery District comprises of a massive mixed-use development that is one of the largest in Lexington that is now under construction. Buster's Bounces Back New owners making the move to Manchester By Erik A. Carlson, Business Lexington, April 30, 2009 Lexington, KY - A year and two months after closing to make way for the demolition of the CentrePointe block, Buster's will be reopening and redefined. And as a result, Lexington is finally getting the large-scale live music venue many have longed for.
May 12, 200916 yr Author Before demolition, there was a partially vibrant block pockmarked with mothballed buildings that the owner did not want to fill, and a hole where a massive Woolworth's was located at. Sequence: I have many more but I'm about to overhaul UrbanUp.
May 13, 200916 yr Author Mayor unveils inventory of downtown buildings By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, May 12, 2009 Citizens got their first look Tuesday at a comprehensive inventory of 300 downtown buildings and an assessment of the buildings' architectural and historical significance, but the inventory does nothing to protect the structures from demolition.oric downtown."
May 13, 200916 yr Author UK looking at proposals for new arenas By Valarie Honeycutt Spears, Herald-Leader, May 11, 2009 The University of Kentucky will decide in the next 60 to 90 days whether to go forward with plans for a new downtown basketball arena, a new campus baseball field and upgrades for Commonwealth Stadium, UK Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart said Monday. "We're in the first stage of it," Barnhart said. "There's a long way to go."
May 13, 200916 yr Author Posted several new articles in this thread today. Library's garage a financial drain By John Cheves, Herald-Leader, May 11, 2009 Four years ago, the Lexington Public Library paid $3 million for the parking garage next to its Main Street headquarters, even though its own appraisal valued the garage at only $1 million.
May 18, 200916 yr Author Historic preservation needs more than first steps By Tom Eblen, Herald-Leader columnist, May 16, 2009 Will this be another downtown survey that is filed away and forgotten? Or will Lexington follow through and take steps to leverage what's left of its rich architectural past for a more prosperous future?
May 18, 200916 yr Historic preservation needs more than first steps By Tom Eblen, Herald-Leader columnist, May 16, 2009 Mayor Jim Newberry ordered the survey after controversy erupted last summer over developer Dudley Webb's demolition of a block of buildings dating to 1826 to make way for the CentrePointe tower he has yet to begin building. Preservationists were outraged, but Webb claimed the old buildings were insignificant and too dilapidated to reuse. That was one ugly block if you ask me. But, there were definitely some buildings worth saving on that block though. It's even worse that every day it seems there is less of a chance that anything will be built there in the foreseeable future. Lexington seems to be good at coming up with good plans and the like, but poor on execution. I believe there was a plan for development in Downtown that called for no development being above a certain height to promote density and infill rather than a few concentrated structures. It was followed until someone wanted to build something larger and then the powers that be decided to ignore it. This survey sadly sounds like the same thing.
May 26, 200916 yr Author Old building with new use among 9 preservation award winners By Beverly Fortune, Herald Leader, May 21, 2009 For the past 20 years, Tim Mellon and Linda Hoff have renovated one historic building after another at North Limestone and Third Street, and in the process, have helped create an economically lively and stable neighborhood.
May 26, 200916 yr Author Frankfort's Grand will embrace the past with modern twist By Shawntaye Hopkins, Herald-Leader, May 18, 2009 FRANKFORT — Exposed brick and a rugged concrete wall in an area that will be used as a concession for popcorn, candy and wine suggest that the historical Grand Theatre is far from completion. But once the sawdust is swept away and exposed wires are hidden, the wall will remain. -- Frankfort's old theater restored By Shawntaye Hopkins, Herald-Leader, May 24, 2009 FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Exposed brick and a rugged concrete wall in an area that will be used as a concession for popcorn, candy and wine suggest that the historical Grand Theatre is far from completion. But once the sawdust is swept away and exposed wires are hidden, the wall will remain.
May 27, 200916 yr Author Starting to sound like a scam... I had no high hopes for this project due to its unrealistic expectations. A stadium bigger than Rupp Arena in Lexington, only 15 miles east in the middle of nowhere? Developer proposes sports complex in Ill.; says Winchester project still a go By Greg Kocher, Herald-Leader, May 25, 2009 Last week's announcement about a proposed sports-and-entertainment complex for Vandalia, Ill., does not affect Kenneth Bardwell's plans to put a similar but larger facility in Winchester, the Michigan developer and Clark County officials said.
June 4, 200916 yr Author f$&king @#$^. Centrepointe is all but dead, and now he states he can get fill dirt in to plant grass to "shut these people up." Thanks Webb for demolishing numerous historic properties -- including the oldest commercial structure in Lexington, and replacing it with... a block of dirt. If CentrePointe financing fails, Webb has plans B and C, he said By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, June 4, 2009 Developer Dudley Webb told the Lexington Forum on Thursday he has a Plan B and Plan C for financing for the CentrePointe project and if those plans don't work, he will look for fill dirt to level the site and plant grass. Also, Webb said he remains optimistic that funding from his unnamed, deceased, financial backer will still come through. He said assets of the international investor's estate are being held in numbered Swiss bank accounts..
June 6, 200916 yr Author And here it begins... Demolition company files lien against CentrePointe By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, June 5, 2009 The demolition company that razed 17 buildings last year to make way for the proposed CentrePointe development on West Main Street has filed a lien against CentrePointe LLC for non-payment. The lien for $73,000 is for the cost of labor and materials to remove concrete fill underneath the parking lot in the middle of the block, said John Conley, president of Diversified Demolition adding that the request to remove the material came at the end of the work to clear the block. "I have not been paid in full," he said. "The $73,000 is the balance owed." However, CentrePointe developer Dudley Webb said on Friday that Conley has been paid the contracted amount of $571,000 to demolish the buildings on the block. Click on the link above for the remainder of the article.
June 8, 200916 yr This is horrible news! I was looking forward to the tower bulking up the Lexington skyline a bit. Hopefully it isnt totally dead leaving only a big hole in the ground and 17 demolished buildings.
June 9, 200916 yr Author These business owners had the opportunity to voice their concerns and to keep up to date on a project that would inevitably impact their business, but most chose not to show (I attended most of the hearings and meetings). It's their fault they chose to remain uninformed. Having the project completed in one year results in far less headaches and results in major cost savings versus dragging the project on for multiple years. Any civil engineer can understand that. South Limestone business owners concerned about closure of street By Jennifer Hewlett, Herald-Leader, June 7, 2009 David Jones and his business partners would never have sunk $750,000 into their new bar and lounge called Soundbar on South Limestone had they known the street would soon be closed and torn up.
June 21, 200915 yr Author Just like former Governor Wilkinson's World Coal Tower proposal in the 1980s! CentrePointe site to be filled, seeded By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, June 19, 2009 Developer Dudley Webb said Friday that 6 inches of topsoil will be spread on the empty CentrePointe site and the block seeded with Kentucky bluegrass to make it more attractive.
June 21, 200915 yr If you get a chance Sherman, I would be very interested to see photos of the buildings that were lost.
June 24, 200915 yr Author Developer wants to build cinema, bowling alley, apartments on Angliana Avenue By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, June 24, 2009 A California developer announced Tuesday a development for Angliana Avenue in Lexington that would include a multi-screen cinema, a bowling alley, restaurants, retail outlets, a grocery store and 150 apartments.
June 25, 200915 yr Author Support of Mill Street pedestrian mall grows By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, June 24, 2009 Momentum is growing among downtown bar and property owners to close North Mill Street between Main and Short and convert it to a pedestrian mall. Closing the street to traffic is a recommendation of the downtown streetscape plan.
July 13, 200915 yr Author CentrePointe update: Timing is everything. By Tom Eblen, Herald-Leader Columnist, July 8, 2009 Today’s meeting of the Courthouse Area Design Review Board offered a few updates on CentrePointe, the massive downtown development project that 16 months after its announcement remains a mirage. Darby Turner, the attorney for developer Dudley Webb, said Webb is in Europe working to secure financing for the $250 million project from the estate of a mysterious, unidentified investor who is said to have died last fall, leaving the hotel-condo-office tower in limbo.
July 13, 200915 yr Author Red Mile proposes new stores, condos Concept aims to add retail sites to financially ailing track By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, July 1, 2009 Owners of The Red Mile off South Broadway say they hope that residential and commercial development will give the financially ailing harness track the boost it needs to keep operating. Conceptual plans for 68 acres of the 132-acre track were unveiled at a public meeting Tuesday night. Highlights included: ■ 150 to 200 condominiums and apartments targeted toward young professionals. ■ 300,000 square feet of retail and office space. ■ A hiking trail along Red Mile Road, connecting to Town Branch Trail on Old Frankfort Pike.
July 13, 200915 yr Author Lexington council approves construction contract for Lyric By Jennifer Hewlett, Herald-Leader, July 3, 2009 The Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center came a step closer to reality Thursday as the Urban County Council voted 13-1 to accept a nearly $5.6 million bid from Denham-Blythe Co. to renovate and expand the old Lyric building.
July 13, 200915 yr Author LexTran to get a second art shelter By Jennifer Hewlett, Herald-Leader, July 8, 2009 Lexington's second art bus shelter will be called Artstop and its theme will celebrate the city's East End — its musical history and African-American culture.
July 13, 200915 yr Author Affordable housing development announced near downtown Lexington By Andy Mead, Herald-Leader, July 7, 2009 More than 100 single-family, owner-occupied homes will soon rise on 80 acres near downtown once occupied by the Bluegrass-Aspendale housing project.
July 13, 200915 yr Author Posted quite a few articles today in this thread, scroll up :) Lexington council approves major work on South Limestone By Karla Ward, Herald-Leader, July 8, 2009 There was disagreement at the Urban County Council meeting Tuesday over the city's plan to overhaul a section of South Limestone, but the council voted to accept a contractor's bid and allowed the project to move forward.
July 16, 200915 yr Author As a side note, the Centrepointe article has been updated regarding the latest delays. Centrepointe: fast-tracked and now stalled Authored by Sherman Cahal on July 15, 2009 at UrbanUp Centrepointe, proposed on March 3, 2008, is a $250 million, 35-story skyscraper in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. Bounded by Main, Vine, Limestone and Upper streets, the development consisted of a four-star, 243-room hotel, 77 residential condominium units, retail and restaurant space, and offices. The tower would also incorporate LEED features, including green roofs and energy-efficient windows along with other sundries. The rendering of Centrepointe was criticized from nearly the beginning, with the most vocal cheerleaders coming from Vice Mayor Gray and numerous bloggers, calling the skyscraper out of synchronization with the harmony of the downtown core -- dominated by small- to mid-rise mixed-use structures. Gray pointed out that the Downtown Master Plan, which was completed only several years prior and involved input from hundreds of citizens, called for a maximum building height of 15 stories in the downtown core. Others also lashed out at the generic design and the partial removal of Phoenix Park across the street that would make way for additional retail and parking. Centrepointe's proposal called for the removal of one entire block of unused and active buildings, some of which were historically significant. Included were two of Lexington's oldest commercial structures -- the Rosenberg structure. You can read and comment on the latest UrbanUp blog post here.
July 24, 200915 yr Author Church turns historic buildings into affordable housing Herald-Leader, July 24, 2009 Meanwhile, there is a need for affordable housing downtown for low-income people and retirees. Officials estimate that more than 8,700 households in Fayette County spend more than half of their income on rent.
July 31, 200915 yr Author Lexington hotels expand, renovate for WEG and beyond By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, July 30, 2009 Lexington's two major downtown hotels — the former Radisson Plaza and the Hyatt Regency — are undergoing major renovations at a time when several other area hotels are updating and expanding, aiming to have the work completed for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
July 31, 200915 yr Author Posted another article above. Public views streetscape plans for downtown Lexington By Jennifer Hewlett, Herald-Leader, July 30, 2009 A steady trickle of people made their way to the local government center Wednesday see what downtown Lexington is slated to look like this time next year. Millions of dollars in improvements to Main Street, between Broadway and Limestone; Vine Street, between Broadway and Limestone; South Limestone, between the Avenue of Champions and Vine Street; and Cheapside Park are expected to be completed by July 2010.
August 5, 200915 yr Author THIS IS JUST TOO FUNNY! "Massive rain caused Centrepointe Lake to begin spilling into the streets of downtown Lexington on Tuesday August 4, 2009."
August 5, 200915 yr ^^ That is the definition of an eyesore. I wonder how long eminent domain proceedings could take if lexington decides to turn this into a park leading up the the World Equestrian Games.
August 5, 200915 yr If they thought this building was gonna be an eyesore, what do they call that 100-foot cliff of solid concrete facing the street at the top-right of that photo? ^^^
August 13, 200915 yr Author YUCK. Overhead power lines on this road!? What is with Lexington and its rat nests it creates? Power lines will clutter Newtown Pike extension, project critics say By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, August 12, 2009 Lexington's Newtown Pike extension, envisioned as a beautiful gateway to the city leading people into downtown from the interstate, will be marred by the visual clutter of overhead power lines, critics said on Wednesday.
August 17, 200915 yr Author Angliana Avenue development gets preliminary nod By Andy Mead, Herald-Leader, August 14, 2009 A proposed development that would put a multi-screen theater, a bowling alley, restaurants, stores and apartments on Angliana Avenue breezed through a preliminary approval from the Planning Commission on Thursday.
August 31, 200915 yr Author Renovations earn architects' office an LEED Gold rating Renovations give architects' office a top LEED rating By Susan Smith-Durisek, Contributing Writer to the Herald-Leader, August 28, 2009 When RossTarrant Architects moved to its new offices at East Main Street and Old Lafayette Avenue about two years ago, it inherited a problem. Water was accumulating in the basement of the 1950s-era commercial structure. The source? A natural underground spring.
August 31, 200915 yr Author Weekday Lexington Farmers Market added downtown Herald-Leader, August 26, 2009 Lexington Farmers Market is adding a midweek afternoon market in Cheapside Park, starting Wednesday. The hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Market manager Jeff Dabbelt is working on a head count of how many farmers will participate and said "upwards of a dozen" have expressed interest.
September 8, 200915 yr Author Unfinished business By Cheryl Truman, Herald Leader, September 6, 2009 A pair of six-story buildings packed with high-tech businesses would adorn one of Lexington's most prominent intersections had the University of Kentucky's plans for Coldstream Research Campus panned out. Instead, the corner of Interstate 75 and Newtown Pike is a hotbed for lawsuits, mechanics' liens and a mortgage default. The Lexhold International Center for Technological Innovation at Coldstream is substantially behind schedule, plagued with unpaid bills and mired in legal wrangles. -- Tom Eblen: First section of Town Branch Trail opens next weekend Herald-Leader, September 5, 2009 Lexington was born and grew up around the Town Branch of South Elkhorn Creek, but over the past century we've done our best to pollute it, bury it and forget about it. Water finds its way, though, even if it sometimes needs help. Town Branch Trail Inc. has been working for a decade to develop a greenway along the creek west of downtown. The first fruits of those labors will be on display next weekend, when the initial two-mile section of the trail is opened with a benefit concert and bicycle rally.
October 23, 200915 yr Author Lexington could learn from Louisville’s 21C By Tom Eblen, The Bluegrass and Beyond, October 20, 2009 Readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine recently voted the 21C Museum Hotel in Louisville as the nation’s best hotel. It was in the news last week and discussed on NBC’s Today Show this week. “It sounds like the idea behind this is brilliant,” said Today Show host Matt Lauer, who seemed barely able to hide his surprise that Kentucky could be on the cutting edge of anything.
October 23, 200915 yr Author Posted another article from today above this. Also: Red Mile redevelopment plan is now online. -- Lexington 'on the verge' of revitalization, consultant says By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, October 22, 2009 Play to win, Lexington. That means develop the attitude you deserve to win, believe you can win and demand excellence. That was advice Thursday from Rebecca Ryan, a consultant from Madison, Wis. "God has dealt you a very strong hand," she said, pointing to Lexington's natural beauty, educated work force and more diversity than many people realize. She described the city as "on the verge" of a revitalized, energized identity.
October 28, 200915 yr Author UK trustees approve Wildcat Coal Lodge despite students' protests By Andy Mead, Herald-Leader, October 28, 2009 A proposal to build a $7 million Wildcat Coal Lodge was approved Tuesday by the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees in a 16-3 vote. The vote set off shouts from about 30 protesters, mostly students, who attended the meeting. "Big Coal is about to go down, and the university's going down with them," said Cor de Jong, who described himself as "a Lexingtonian and a basketball fan."
October 28, 200915 yr Author For the Turfland redevelopment, I think this is a step in the right direction although I believe the reason that the outlots have not been included in this phase is because a deal to purchase those properties has not yet been worked out or is just too expensive for right now. Posted another new article above. -- Planning for redevelopment HERALD-LEADER EXCLUSIVE: The state of retail in Lexington | Part 1 of 3 By Scott Sloan, Herald-Leader, October 26th, 2009 Ending a long period of speculation, the owners of Turfland Mall, which closed last year but had been weak for years, hope to transform the site into a development that would be primarily commercial office space but also include residential and some retail space. That is one of a number of changes coming to the areas surrounding the Harrodsburg Road corridor, where longtime landmark The Springs Inn is being demolished and sold for redevelopment.
October 31, 200915 yr Author Distillery District projects get green light from state By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, October 30, 2009 FRANKFORT — A state board gave final approval Thursday to the Urban County Government's plan for $45.8 million in public infrastructure improvements for redevelopment of the Distillery District along Manchester Street. The city plans several major improvements — new curbs, sidewalks, storm sewers and construction of the Town Branch Trail — for Lexington's historic bourbon corridor, west of downtown.
October 31, 200915 yr Author Plans for new Eastern State Hospital unveiled By Beth Musgrave, Herald-Leader, October 29, 2009 FRANKFORT — State officials said Thursday that they expect to break ground on a new Eastern State Hospital at the University of Kentucky’s Coldstream Research Campus in June 2010.
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