Morton's Row (South Upper Street between Main and Vine Streets) ca. 1920.
Courtesy of the Asa C. Chinn Photographic Collection, University of Kentucky
Special Collections.
Preserve Lexington is a non-profit group formed to prevent the destruction of
downtown Lexington's historic and cultural fabric; specifically the block of Main Street between South Upper and South Limestone streets. The group is made up of historic preservationists, students at the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University, and concerned citizens who feel the loss of this block would, in essence, destroy downtown Lexington's remaining historic character. This block is home to several successful businesses who benefit not only the community, culturally and economically, but also each other. This symbiotic relationship should be a model for the rest of Lexington and its loss would represent a key loss to Lexington's business community as many of the businesses located here might not succeed elsewhere in the city.
The goal of this group is to be an advocacy group that can bring the many
stakeholders that focus on various issues such as downtown development and redevelopment, historic preservation, land-use management, etc. together and create a strong voice for appropriate, creative, and human scale development of this block while at the same time preserving the historic fabric of the block.
By writing letters, attending and speaking out at meetings, and hopefully using
the creative talents of this multidisciplinary group we can create an alternative
to proposed development of this block that will not only benefit the successful
businesses that reside here but any Lexington resident and visitor who has
frequented the establishments on the block.
The Dame and Buster's at the corner of West Main and South Upper Streets on a typical Saturday night. Photography by Eric Thomason.
Our Goals/Concerns:
- Support appropriate infill development that keeps and supports the unique aspects of downtown.
- It would be better to have a good building rather than a surface parking lot.
- Not all development is bad - the creation of green space and using what we already have can make downtown even more attractive.
- Responsible and responsive infill development is key.
- New developments - what do people want in a downtown? A unique space with character and life or a city that shuts down at 5 p.m.
- With so much money going into these new developments, what about supporting the existing infrastructure (this makes sense both economically and enviornmentally).
- Will local interests be drowned out by "new" development?
- Economics - look at the cash receipts, payrolls, tourism figures that existing businesses contribute.
- The businesses downtown and specifically in this block provide a creative and entertainment outlet for students from the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University as well as attracting students to these institutions.
- The block that is currently home to The Dame, Buster's, Mia's, etc. is already diverse; how does this diversity work with UK's goal of achieving Top 20 status.
- Lexington should not only attract creative people but also retain them as contributing citizens.
- The city should support local businesses.
- How much growth is required for Lexington to remain vibrant?
- What is progress and how is it best defined?
- The residential neighborhoods clustered around downtown need a variety of commercial centers. This block being one.
View of proposed Vine Street Redevelopment taken from Downtown Development Authority Master plan presentation. Note infill development in right
half of image in the Woolworth parcel.
half of image in the Woolworth parcel.
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Preserve Lexington is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that relies on tax-deductible contributions for support and to continue its mission of preserving downtown Lexington's cultural fabric. For information or to make a contribution, please contact us at info@preservelexington.org.
webmaster@preservelexington.org