May 2nd, 2022
5th District Newsletter
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Hello Neighbors,
We've had a busy few weeks here at the Government Center and across the community! At the April 19th Planning and Public Safety Committee (PPS) Meeting, Council received an update from the Sustainable Growth Taskforce. This taskforce has been working to develop "an objective, data-driven methodology to help guide decisions regarding the alignment of the Urban Services Boundary." As a trained researcher, I am highly interested in establishing such a methodology with robust public input. You can view the meeting here!
On April 21st, I joined my Council colleagues at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Central Bank Center. Our new convention center will help increase tourism and be able to accomodate much larger events than we have been able to in the past.
On April 24th, I joined with some of my fellow Councilmembers to celebrate the many contributions Lexingtonians have made to our vibrant downtown at the 2022 Downtown Lexington Partnership Annual Meeting & Awards of Excellence Luncheon. I've included this year's recipients in the newsletter below.
11th District Councilmember Jennifer Reynolds and the Mayor's Administration shared the first of two presentations about our City's ongoing efforts to address gun violence in Lexington. I highly encourage folks to review the presentation (found in the agenda) and to watch the first presentation. We are scheduled to receive the second presentation at tomorrow's 3:00pm Work Session where we will discuss ongoing enforcement and reentry efforts; you can view that presentation beforehand here. Addressing the root causes of violent crime will take all Lexingtonians coming together and working to find holistic approaches; we need your input and your efforts!
The first ever city-sponsored expungement clinic was hosted on April 29th and was a smashing success! There was a line at the door before the event even started. Many lawyers volunteered to help folks through the expungement process, numerous vendors with job openings were on-site, and there was a palpable sense of hope throughout the day. I'd like to thank Tiffany Brown (the Mayor's Equity and Implementation Officer), her team, the wonderful volunteers, and those who attended.
Finally, this week begins the Council Budget Subcommittee LINK meetings. I have been selected to Chair the General Government subcommittee with Vice Mayor Steve Kay and 1st District Councilmember James Brown as members.
All budget LINK meetings can be viewed via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84179046607?pwd=Si9ZUERJY3RhTzVRekhLeFFEenkxZz09
Meeting ID: 841 7904 6607 Passcode: 129754
The General Government LINK will hold our first public meeting on Wednesday, May 4th from 1:00pm-4:00pm. We will hear presentations about their budget requests for this fiscal year and discuss the Mayor's Proposed Budget with the following departments/offices:
- 1:00pm-1:20pm--LFUCG Internal Audit
- 1:20pm-1:40pm--Mayor's Office
- 1:40pm-2:10pm--LFUCG Department of Law
- 2:10pm-2:30pm--County Attorney
- 2:30pm-2:50pm--Commonwealth's Attorney
- 2:50pm-3:10pm—LFUCG Citizen’s Advocate
- 3:10pm-3:30pm—Fayette County Coroner
- 3:30pm-3:50pm--LFUCG Council Clerk
On Friday, May 6th at 1:00pm myself and the other LINK members will reconvene virtually to discuss any changes to our assigned portion of the Mayor's Proposed Budget. I'm looking forward to this task and your feedback on the process. As your Councilmember, transparent and responsible stewardship of your tax dollars is one of my top priorities. I encourage you to reach out to me with any questions or concerns as we move through the budget process! Together, we can help shape Lexington's funding priorities for the next year.
Take care,
Liz
Upcoming Meetings:
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Clean Slate Lexington was a huge success! Tiffany Brown, the Mayor's Equity and Implementation Officer, and her team did an outstanding job offering the first ever city-funded expungement clinic! Offering a second chance to those who have completed their sentences and have not re-offended will positively impact our entire community.
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CONVENTION CENTER GRAND OPENING
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Thursday, April 21st my colleagues and I gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated Central Bank Convention center. This project has created a 100,000 square foot contiguous exhibit hall space, a new 25,000 square-foot multi-purpose ballroom and 16 meeting rooms of various sizes and configurations totaling 30,000 square feet. In addition, renovations were made to modernize and update existing convention space and Rupp Arena. This state-of-the-art facility will attract larger conventions, expos, and other events drawing visitors (and their spending money!) to Lexington over the next several years.
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DOWNTOWN LEXINGTON PARTNERSHIP AWARDS
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Monday, April 25th I joined community members and leaders for the 2022 Downtown Lexington Partnership Annual Meeting & Awards of Excellence Luncheon. Many individuals were recognized for their accomplishments that transformed our downtown in 2021, making it stronger, more vibrant, and prosperous. Each year, the event recognizes outstanding businesses and/or individuals that have made a lasting and positive impact on downtown.
2022 Award Winners:
Urban Innovation Award: For their work on The Met, a transformative mixed-use development at the East End gateway to Downtown, we recognize Community Ventures.
Urban Innovation Award: For your work on LexLive, which created a multi-entertainment destination in the heart of downtown Lexington, we recognize George Krikorian.
Landscape and Streetscape Award: For your investment in The Grove, including the outdoor upgrades to the courtyard on Upper Street and open front entrance on Main Street, we recognize Avena Kiely, Ray Kiely, & Evan Akers.
Leadership Achievement Award: In celebration of your 50-year dedicated service to the arts, which includes public art exhibits and community events, we recognize LexArts.
Rose Lucas Perfect Partner Award: For serving as a valuable connection between DLP and other community leaders, including the University of Kentucky, and Creative Media Group, we recognize Nancy Wiser, and Wiser Strategies.
Outstanding Individual Award: For his many years of service to downtown Lexington, including his tenure as President of Lexington Center Corporation, and many years of service on the board of Downtown Lexington Partnership, we recognize Bill Owen.
Smiley Pete Award: For his showstopping artistic contributions to Downtown Lexington which include brilliant murals at The Grove, Greyline Station, High Knoll Wealth, and many more, we recognize Wylie Caudill.
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LEXINGTON KITE FESTIVAL 2022
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My family and I had a blast at the 2022 Lexington Kite Festival at Masterson Station Park! After a 4 year hiatus, it was wonderful to see so many folks enjoying our public parks and showing off their impressive kite skills. Can't wait for next year!
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NEW "LITTLE LIBRARY" IN IDLE HOUR
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From Idle Hour Neighbor Alliance President Beate Popkin:
"There is something new in our neighborhood: a Little Free Library. Anyone can take out a book to read, and anyone who has finished reading a good book can donate it to the Library. It has a top section for grown-up books, and a bottom section for children's books. It is located at 2117 St. Mathilda.
The group photo shows Jeremy Popkin who initiated and financed the Library, Paul Brown who built it and Jack Taylor who decorated it. And decorated it is!"
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LEXINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY EXPANDS HOURS
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Starting TODAY, all six branches of the Lexington Public Library will have expanded hours of operation! Our libraries are a vital hub to many in our community; access to resources, the internet, our incredible library staff, programming, and (of course) books and other publications enriches Lexington in innumerable ways. I'm thrilled that the public will have even more access to our top-notch library system!
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LEXINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT!
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The Lexington Fire Department participated in this year's FDIC Indianapolis Firefighter Challenge. During the first day of competition, seven members representing the Lexington Fire Department participated in the individual category:
Individual Overall
8th John Gerardi 1:35.33
26th Josh Spalding 1:51.83
28th Andrew Cook 1:55.07
29th Nathan Bardeen 1:56.24
30th Doug Thompson 1:56.29
47th John Barnott 2:23.65
56th Sarah McGill 2:40.95
Our Firefighter Combat Challenge Team returned home with all ten team members sporting medals!
Placing 1st in the Female Relay Team event: FF Sarah McGill, FF Chelsie Brown, FF Michelle Spanyer, and FF Erin Lucas.
Placing 2nd in the Team event: Lt. John Gerardi, Lt. Doug Thompson, FF Josh Spalding, FF Nathan Bardeen, and FF Andrew Cook.
Placing 1st in the Over 50 Relay Team event: FF John Barnott (competed with 4 members from other departments)
Please join us in congratulating each of these athletes on their outstanding accomplishments. Thank you for representing our department so well!
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Mayor Linda Gorton, several sponsors, and councilmembers broke ground this morning on Splash!, a water play project that will soon make quite a splash in the East End Neighborhood’s Charles Young Park.
Splash! is largely funded by private donors. Total cost of the project is estimated at $1.5 million, with $1.3 million coming from private funds.
Town Branch Commons Trail, which is in the final stages of completion, runs right by Charles Young, making it easy for families to walk or cycle to the park. The trail connects several public spaces downtown.
In 1930, when the city bought four acres downtown for Charles Young Park, it was the second parcel of land purchased to serve the recreation needs of the African-American community in what was then a segregated city. Like its namesake, now Brigadier General Charles Young, the first African American to achieve the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army, the park has overcome its humble beginnings. Brigadier General Young recently received a posthumous honorary promotion.
Splash! will be a large, interactive water feature telling the story of Brigadier General Young, who was born in Mays Lick, Kentucky. The water feature will also educate visitors about the rich cultural history of the East End neighborhood and the Park.
Splash! will also draw upon the Bluegrass landscape, mimicking karst, creeks, and streams found in rural areas. Using recirculating water, the water play area will include water bubbling up from stones, crossing water arches, and a constant shallow stream surrounded by steppingstones and artificial turf mounds for play or sitting.
Plans call for the addition of trees to cool off the area, as well as include native plantings. And the project includes renovation of the existing restroom building.
Charles Young Park playground and the Splash! project are rooted in community engagement, analysis and feedback.
Councilmember James Brown said, “Splash! will be treasured and enjoyed by the families of the East End because they helped design it. Like the new playground in Charles Young Park, every aspect of this water play feature was envisioned and developed by neighborhood residents through community engagement and partnership.”
Several partners have made Splash! possible, including Blue Grass Community Foundation who gave a total of $1.05 million to the project.
Splash! also received a $250,000 grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Building Better Communities Grant, administered by the National Recreation and Park Association.
Thoughtful design for the park, signage, public art and other features will incorporate the legacy of the park’s history, and of its namesake. The Charles Young Center and the adjacent park are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“The Charles Young Center Advisory Board is committed, along with the city and various funding partners, to bringing a community-based and family-friendly recreational atmosphere to the center and neighborhood park,” said Charles Field, a representative of the Charles Young Center Advisory Board.
Construction is expected to continue through 2022, with completion in Spring 2023.
This project is made possible by the leadership of Blue Grass Community Foundation, with support from the following charitable donors and BGCF fund holders: Blue Grass Community Foundation, Community Ventures, Elhapa Foundation, J.M. Smucker Co., James Monroe Homes, James and Martha Monroe Charitable Fund at BGCF, and Knight Foundation Donor Advised Charitable Fund at BGCF. Splash! also received a grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Building Better Communities Grant, administered by the National Recreation and Park Association.
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SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION OPEN
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Registration is now open for a variety of summer camps being offered by Lexington’s division of Parks & Recreation for 2022. Online registration is open now through lexingtonky.gov/camps. They're filling up fast!
There are fifteen different camp types being offered, including annual favorites such as Camp Kearney, as well as a variety of others which include activities such as art, dance, equestrian riding, golf, nature exploration, swimming, Therapeutic Recreation, and tennis. With over 70 sessions across all camps, there is something for everyone, no matter their interests.
For more information about all summer camps and how to register, interested people can visit lexingtonky.gov/camps. There are also numerous opportunities available for working and volunteering at camps, which can be found at lexingtonky.gov/PRJobs.
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FREE SUMMER CONCERT LINEUP ANNOUNCED
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Lexington’s Parks & Recreation has announced the schedule for four summer concert series, offering a variety of music genres in parks around Lexington for free starting in May.
“Summer concerts are back and bigger than ever! We often get feedback that people want more outdoor concerts,” said Amber Luallen, Superintendent of Cultural Arts & Events for Parks & Recreation. “We’ve turned things up to provide our largest summer concert schedule ever. It’s a great opportunity for people to get outside, have a picnic, enjoy local food vendors, and listen to amazing musicians.”
The first series, Big Band & Jazz, which has been going strong for over 40 years, will kick things off at Moondance Amphitheater with concerts every Tuesday from May 17 – June 28, before moving to Ecton Park (located in the 5th District) for the remainder of the series, July 5 – August 9. Starting shortly after will be the Northside Nights concert series, which debuted last year, and will run every other Friday at Castlewood Park, May 27 – September 2. Southland Jamboree returns to Moondance Amphitheater beginning June 2 and takes place every Thursday through September 1. Lastly the Summer Nights in Suburbia series will run every other Friday, June 3 – August 26 at Moondance Amphitheater.
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES SCHEDULES
Big Band & Jazz at Moondance Amphitheater
Start time: 7 p.m.
May 17 – Young At Heart Big Band
May 24 – The MetroGnomes
May 31 – Bluegrass Area Jazz Ambassadors
June 7 – DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra
June 14 – Walnut Street Ramblers
June 21 – Brass Impact
June 28 – Lexington Summer Concert Band
Big Band & Jazz at Ecton Park
Start time: 7 p.m.
July 5 – Miles Osland Little Big Band w/ Vince DiMartino
July 12 – Brett Evans Trombone Jazz Ensemble
July 19 – Ozmosis
July 26 – Tim Lake and the Blue Jazz Persuaders
August 2 – Uncle Sam's Bait Shop
August 9 – Osland/Dailiey Jazztet
Northside Nights at Castlewood Park
Start time: 6:30 p.m.
May 27 – Honeychild
June 10 – Positive Movement
June 24 – Special Sessions
July 8 – Benny J & Friends
July 22 – Elite 7
August 5 – One Sound
August 19 – TBA
September 2 – TBA
Southland Jamboree at Moondance Amphitheater
Start time: 7 p.m.
June 2 – Jim Hurst Bluegrass Band
June 9 – Fast Track
June 16 – Blue Eagle Band
June 23 – Custom Made Bluegrass
June 30 – Wolfpen Branch
July 7 – Maddie Murray and Darren Wasson Band
July 14 – Hammertowne
July 21 – Cane Run Bluegrass
July 28 – Alan Bibey & Grasstowne
August 4 – Olde Towne Project
August 11 – Don Rigsby
August 18 – Ida Clare
August 25 – New Coon Creek Girls Reunion
September 1 – Fenced In
Summer Nights in Suburbia at Moondance Amphitheater
Start time: 7 p.m.
June 3 – DJ Rice Band
June 17 – Lauren Mink Band
July 1 – Bedford Band
July 15 – Brother Smith
July 29 – Honeychild
August 12 – DeeOhGee
August 26 – NVRMND
Visit lexingtonky.gov/parks for more information about Lexington Parks & Recreation concerts and other events happening around the city this summer.
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COMMUNITY GUN VIOLENCE PERFORMANCE
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Allegro Dance Project will perform their work Shooting Glances, exploring the issue of gun violence through contemporary dance, aerial arts & live music. Immediately after the performance, community leaders from ONE Lexington, S.W.A.G, Council Member Jennifer Reynolds and Whit Whitaker will speak about the issue on a local level, sharing local efforts & resources and help to lead an audience conversation.
FREE admission. Doors open at 6:30, performance begins at 7:00 at Lexington’s Lyric Theatre. Face masks requested while inside the theatre.
School shows of Renaissance will be available for sensory friendly field trip opportunities on Thursday, May 19th and Friday, May 20th at 10am. Admission is free and school/group registration can be completed online at www.allegrodanceproject.org LexArts has provided support for Shooting Glances (a segment from Renaissance) through their Fund For the Arts, with additional support from The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, which provides American Rescue Plan Funds to Allegro Dance Project, with federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
About Allegro Dance Project Allegro Dance Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit contemporary dance company founded in 2014 by Jeana Klevene. Each season, dance outreach and performance opportunities are provided for hundreds of children with specific needs and the professional company provides contracts and apprenticeships to talented dancers, aerial artists and musicians. To learn more, visit www.allegrodanceproject.org
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ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING NOW AVAILABLE AT BLUE GRASS AIRPORT
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Passengers at Blue Grass Airport now have the added convenience of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations as part of the recently-reopened valet parking service. This amenity, made possible via a partnership with Kentucky Utilities (KU), can charge up to four vehicles and is available free of charge to passengers using the airport’s valet parking service.
Passengers can drop their vehicle off at the valet parking booth in front of the terminal and when they return from their trip, it will be charged and waiting curbside for them. The new charging station service is open immediately and will be free for customers who pay to park in valet ($22/day). Hosted via a program offered by KU, the airport is one of multiple central Kentucky locations to implement these stations.
For additional information on this service as well as the airport’s parking facilities, please contact the airport’s guest services team at 859.425.3100.
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Join our 5th District neighbors and enjoy the "Ashland Trail Crawl" on Saturday, May 21st from 3:00pm-5:00pm! The recently installed historical markers will guide folks through the rich history of our area; it's sure to be a wonderful time taking in the neighborhood and reflecting on where we have been as a community and how that journey guides our future.
Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, Ashland Neighborhood Association, and Ashland Park Neighborhood Association are sponsoring this free event.
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LFUCG BOARD AND COMMISSION VACANCIES
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Joining a board or commission is a great way to have your voices heard on local issues that matter to you. If you're looking for a way to give back and help to shape the direction of Lexington's future, I encourage you to review this list and apply! You'll find the current list of vacancies for the City's boards and commissions, application deadlines/requirements, and meeting schedules.
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Learn more about all current job openings here!
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