News Summary
Lexington plans a $5.5 million transformation of the old water plant site into a new park. The project aims to enhance community spaces while preserving historic structures, benefiting the growing population. Funding will come from developer impact fees. A vote from the town council is expected soon to initiate this ambitious plan, which could become a central recreational hub.
Lexington’s Big Plans for a Historic Transformation!
Hey there, Lexington! Get ready to flush away the past and dive into a bright new future! The town is gearing up for a spectacular $5.5 million renovation of the historic water plant site, turning it into a stunning new park that could become the crown jewel of our community.
From Water to Wonder
The site in question is located on a charming 3.5-acre plot along South Lake Drive. It features a lovely two-story red brick building and other structures that have seen better days. Right now, this old water plant, which served Lexington from the mid-1920s until 2002, is mostly sitting unused—except for the occasional visits from our hardworking parks department staff. But all that could change soon!
With Lexington’s population growing to about 25,000 residents, the town has been bustling with new developments, including trendy restaurants, lively breweries, and even a town-funded amphitheater! Now, with the proposed renovation, this site could add even more charm to our urban landscape.
Funding the Dream
So, where’s the money coming from for this exciting project? Town officials are looking to use impact fees, which are fees collected from developers, to fund the renovations. Initially, discussions about turning this area into a park kicked off in 2020, coinciding perfectly with the introduction of the impact fee. A vote from the town council is required to greenlight the use of these fees for the project, but there’s a lot of enthusiasm surrounding the plan.
Get this: The renovation budget could consist of a hefty $1.7 million from a fund specifically set aside for parks and recreational improvements, along with $3.8 million from municipal facility upgrades. Doing the math, this means the town could be spending over a million times the $5 they paid for the property back in 1925—now that’s some serious appreciation!
A New Community Space
The proposed renovations aim to create a beautiful new park while also preserving that historic building that has stood for nearly a century. The plan includes connecting existing green spaces like Virginia Hylton Park and Gibson Pond Park, making Lexington an even more inviting place to enjoy nature and community activities.
While there’s a lot of excitement buzzing through the town, it’s important to note that a complete vision for the property renovations hasn’t been finalized just yet. However, the future does look promising for this location!
Parks on the Rise
The recent $9.8 million renovation project at Virginia Hylton Park, which transformed the park into a wonderful recreational area, is proof that Lexington is committed to enhancing our community parks. Just like the upcoming renovation, this project was also funded, in part, by impact fees, proving that we can manage infrastructure growth without burdening our existing residents with tax hikes.
And for those interested in traffic—South Lake Drive is a busy thoroughfare, welcoming an impressive average of 23,800 vehicles every single day according to recent traffic counts. Just imagine the number of families and friends who could enjoy the new park space and facilities!
A Bright Future Ahead
With renovations on the horizon, Lexington is poised to become an even more vibrant place for its residents and visitors alike. So get ready to see this historic spot evolve into a lively park that could become a favorite gathering space for families, friends, and community events. Keep an eye on the news as the town council votes and the exciting plans start to unfold!
Stay tuned, Lexington! The future is looking bright and green!
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Additional Resources
- The State
- Wikipedia: Lexington, Kentucky
- WKYT News
- Google Search: Lexington Kentucky news
- LEX18
- Google Scholar: Lexington Kentucky water quality
- Fox 56 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lexington
- Kentucky.com
- Google News: Lexington Kentucky flooding
