Blue Grass Trust 'disappointed' in downtown project
By Beverly Fortune
BFORTUNE@HERALD-LEADER.COM
The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation issued a statement Wednesday saying it was disappointed that numerous buildings that "most agree have historical significance to Lexington will be destroyed" by a redevelopment of the Main Street block with a 40-story hotel tower.
"We hope that as the plans are further developed and the input of all of the citizens of Lexington is received, that the plans can be revised to accommodate the preservation of these historic structures," the statement said.
The hotel, condominiums and retail space in the $250 million CentrePointe project would take the entire block bounded by Main, Upper and Vine streets and Limestone. Among the businesses on the block are The Dame music club, Buster's bar and Mia's bar and restaurant.
Julie Good, executive director of the trust, said earlier this week that Lexington's premier historic-preservation group advocates redevelopment of the block, but in a way that blends the new with the historical.
The trust said Tuesday that it hopes to be invited to discussions with developers and the public to explain its position.